Ocean In Motion Asia Short Film Competition 2026: $25,000 Prize Pool

Tell an ocean story for cash prizes and festival screenings across Asia

Ocean Recovery Alliance is inviting filmmakers, students, conservationists, and ocean advocates to create original short films about life in, on, or around the ocean. Stories can explore marine science, wildlife, coastal culture, water sports, pollution, fishing, innovation, adventure, or another ocean-connected subject. Entries are accepted globally, while films made in Asia or focused on Asian waters receive additional judging credit.

Contest details

• Deadline: October 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
• Who can enter: Filmmakers of any age worldwide, entering individually or as a team.
• Entry fee: Final-wave fees are $40 for general entrants and $20 for students under age 22.
• Length: Choose an under-7-minute or under-15-minute category. Limited additional time is allowed for end credits.
• Format: Digital submission; MP4 or MOV is preferred, with 1080p recommended. Smartphone, traditional camera, drone, and other digital-camera work is accepted.
• Language: Non-English films require English subtitles.
• AI rule: AI use is allowed only in the dedicated Best AI Short Film category, which is limited to films under seven minutes.

Prizes

The organizer lists a total cash pool of $25,000 across the competition. Published category awards include $800 for first place, $500 for second place, and $350 for third place. Selected films may also screen during Ocean In Motion events in cities including Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Taipei.

What the judges consider

Judges score relevance to ocean themes, storytelling, originality, creativity, educational or impact value, production quality, emotional resonance, and the ability to inspire positive action. Films from or made in Asia receive five additional points out of 100.

Important rights terms

Entrants keep ownership of their films. Submission grants Ocean In Motion Asia non-exclusive rights to screen selected work at its festival events worldwide for five years and permits promotional use of clips, stills, and trailers. Entrants must clear every music, footage, and third-party right used in the film.

Review the official listing and submit through FilmFreeway · Visit Ocean Recovery Alliance

OnlineVideoContests.com independently summarizes opportunities for creators. The organizer’s official listing and rules control all deadlines, fees, eligibility, rights, and prize terms.