Green Montenegro IFF is the only film festival in Montenegro dedicated to environmental protection, held regularly since 2015. Over time, it has become recognized as a center of the country’s ecological identity, as well as a unique platform for filmmakers from Montenegro, the region, and the world.
This year’s 11th edition of the festival will take place from August 1st to 3rd in one of Europe’s most beautiful natural areas (UNESCO World Heritage List, 1980) – Durmitor National Park, right next to Crno Jezero (Black Lake), in the municipality of Žabljak. The film program will be held under a starry sky, in a fragrant pine forest, with wireless headphones and screenings on a large LED screen, offering the unique Open-air Cinema GMIFF experience.
GMIFF is also the only festival in Montenegro that has permission from the Environmental Protection Agency to hold its activities in national parks, thanks to its responsible approach to the environment in which it takes place, as well as the low carbon footprint it leaves behind.
Last year, in 2024, at the 10th jubilee edition of GMIFF, we introduced an innovation in Montenegro for the first time—wireless headphones—allowing the audience to enjoy high-quality audiovisual productions while preserving the sensitive and precious biodiversity of Durmitor National Park. This demonstrated that protecting the natural environment from noise, light, and other forms of pollution is indeed possible.
We proudly highlight that GMIFF has been included on the map of eco-friendly festivals by the Green Film Network, ranking among the top 31 environmental film festivals in the world.
The festival is organized by CEZAM Production LLC and the NGO Center for Multimedia Production. It enjoys continuous and crucial support from the relevant ministries for culture and ecology, the Film Centre of Montenegro, the Municipality of Žabljak, as well as numerous festival partners and friends.
Last year’s edition of the festival was opened by Damjan Ćulafić, the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Region Development.
A year earlier, the festival was opened by German Oscar winner Peter (Pepe) Danquart (Academy Award for Black Rider (Schwarzfahrer), 1994). In addition to screening his acclaimed film, he also held a masterclass on “Cinematography in Service of Ecology.” Over the years, the festival has been inaugurated by prominent figures such as: Director Branko Baletić, Former Presidents of the Montenegrin Parliament Aleksa Bečić and Ivan Brajović, Former UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Fiona McCluney, Prince Nikola Petrović, And other distinguished personalities from the fields of ecology, film, and public life.
We are honored to highlight that previous editions of our festival have hosted renowned figures from arts, culture, and environmental activism—not only from Montenegro and the region but also from numerous European and global countries, including Italy, Switzerland, South Korea, Germany, Spain, France, and beyond.
During the three days of the 11th edition of GMIFF, we will showcase documentary and feature films from Montenegrin, regional, European, and international productions in the following categories:
Ecology – Films addressing current issues in ecology, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
Ecology of the Soul – Films exploring “the pollution of the human soul” and its disregard for the environment and ecological values.
Promotional-Tourism Films – Films promoting preserved natural areas and ecological treasures, highlighting tourist gems across the region, Europe, and the world.
Student Films – The latest student-authored films created during the previous and current year.
The selection will feature both competitive and non-competitive programs, including special screenings and retrospectives of environmentally themed cinema. All films will be presented with English subtitles to accommodate our international audience.
GMIFF is recognized as one of those events that play a vital role in implementing Montenegro’s constitutional vision of becoming an ecological state, a concept further reinforced by the historic Žabljak Declaration adopted 34 years ago.
This year’s edition of GMIFF will showcase 36 films from 21 countries, reflecting the festival’s growing international reach and commitment to environmental storytelling through cinema.
The jury members for the 11th edition of GMIFF are as follows:
Categories “Ecology” and “Ecology of the Soul”:
Aleksandra Drobac Diagne (Philadelphia, USA)
Branka Bešević Gajić (Serbia)
Katherine Bruce (Canada)
Dušan Kasalica (Montenegro)
Nemanja Bečanović (Montenegro)
Categories “Promotional-Tourism Films” and “Student Films”:
Branislav Milatović (Montenegro)