What does nature mean to you?

Your brief

Make a 30 second film about what nature means to you.

• No rules

  
  
  

• No right or wrong way to do it

  
  
  

• Use your phone

  
  
  

• Be as creative as you like

  
  
  

• Just tell your story

Nature can be…

It might be loud, quiet, familiar or completely unexpected. There is no right answer. Only your answer.

What happens next?

How to submit

Examples…

FAQ’s

What format should I use?

Your film can be filmed in either portrait or landscape. Choose the format that works best for your idea and keep it consistent throughout your 30 second reel.

We recommend not mixing portrait and landscape footage in the same film.

What can I film?

Anything that answers the question:

What does nature mean to you?

Your film could feature landscapes, wildlife, people enjoying nature, close up details, spoken word, animation, or something completely unexpected. We're looking for your unique perspective.

What kind of content is appropriate?

We welcome creative and personal responses to the theme, but please keep your film suitable for a public audience that includes young people.

This means:

• No harmful, dangerous or illegal activity

• No content that is offensive, discriminatory or intended to upset others

• No sharing of personal information such as addresses, school names or phone numbers

• Be mindful when filming in public or private spaces and make sure you have permission where needed

• Make sure anyone appearing in your film has agreed to take part

If you're unsure, keep it simple, natural and focused on your experience of nature.

Can I use music?

Yes, but only if you have permission to use it.

Please don't use copyrighted music unless you have the rights or licence to include it. Royalty free music or your own original recordings are great alternatives.

Can I use AI?

We're looking for original, personal responses to the theme, so we encourage you to create your own footage and tell your own story.

It's fine to use editing tools that include AI features, but your submission should reflect your own creativity rather than being AI generated.

My Film is too big to send as an attachment – what should I do?

When you select the film on your phone to email and press send, it should automatically give you an option to send the film via ‘Mail Drop’ for iPhone and ‘Google Drive’ for Android. These are the best two options that give us a long time to be able to access and download your film.

What if other people appear in my film?

Everyone who appears in your film, including you, must agree to be filmed and for the film to be shared as part of this project.

If anyone featured is under 18, you'll also need permission from their parent or guardian.

I'm under 18. Can I still enter?

Absolutely.

If you're under 18, you'll need permission from your parent or guardian to submit your film, whether or not you appear in it yourself.

What happens after I upload my film?

Once we've received your submission, we'll email you a link to a secure consent form.

We'll ask for a few details, including your age, contact information, film title and the permissions needed to share your work.

Your personal information won't be published without consent and will only be used to administer the project.

Can I choose how I'm credited?

Yes.

You can choose to be credited using your full name, your first name only, or remain anonymous.

If you provide social media handles, we'll do our best to tag or credit you where appropriate.

When will I find out if my film has been selected for the Plough Earth Film Festival?

Films will be reviewed in early September.

If your film is selected for screening at the Film Festival on 12 September at The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington, we'll contact you on 9 September.

Where will my film be shown?

A selection of films will be screened at the Film Festival.

Following the festival, we hope to share submissions more widely through our YouTube channel, social media and future events, subject to permissions, suitability and technical quality.

How can I ask a question?

If you have any questions about your submission, please email phoebe@beaford.org.

Please note that the submission email inbox is for receiving films only and isn't monitored for enquiries.

Why are you using Gmail?

We tested a range of upload options and found Google Drive to be the simplest and most reliable way for people to submit films from both Android and Apple devices.

Do I have to appear in my film?

No. You can appear on camera if you want to, but you don't have to. Your film could focus entirely on nature, objects, places, animation, voiceover or anything else that helps tell your story. (You could even include feet or hands if you wanted to suggest human interaction.)

About this project

This opportunity is part of the North Devon Biosphere Communities Project, funded by the National Lottery Climate Action Fund and delivered in partnership with Beaford.

The project supports young people to explore their relationship with nature, raising awareness, encouraging learning, and sharing knowledge through creativity. It provides opportunities to express ideas, share experiences, and inspire positive action for the natural world.