The third annual Green Lens Environmental Film Festival (GLEFF) is currently accepting artwork and short film submissions to be featured at the six-day celebration in April.

Anyone is allowed to submit a movie in one of the three categories: narrative, document and student short films. In order to submit a movie short, participants may have to pay a submission fee. After submitting the film, participants have the opportunity to win a prize of $300 in each of the three categories.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Green Lens Environmental Film Festival committee,” said Justina Siuba, GLEFF assistant to the director. “It’s an exciting and educational opportunity for the community to focus on the environment and sustainability. With DeKalb’s rich farming history, developing a more deeply rooted knowledge in these topics goes hand-in-hand with the beliefs and values of the community. It also lends to continuing positive initiatives into the future.”

Each film is required to be no more than 30 mintutes long and should embody things that can motivate people to get involved through out the community, tackle a specific conflict within the short movie, and have a resolution for the conflict, said media relations specialist Andrew Hrubec in an email.

“This festival is an important way for NIU to reach out to the community and encourage people of all ages to learn more about sustainable living,” Melissa Burlingame, festival director and financial contact. “We are excited about the switch to a film competition as it will allow for more local and regional talent to be showcased in our community. I hope that the expansion of the festival to six days allows for more people to engage in one or more of the several activities that we have planned.”

The film festival is held from April 20 to 25 and is sponsored by the NIU Institute for study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy.

“I’m excited for the film festival because it will be the first time the people of DeKalb have experienced anything like this,” said Mary Moses, GLEFF social media coordinator and senior environmental studies major. “It’s a celebration of green contributions through independent films, guest speakers and activities for all ages.”

Festival registrar Gillian King-Cargile said the festival workshops will consist of community gardens, organic eating, vermicomposting, eco-Pinterest, money and gardening and top-shelf vitamin supplements.

King-Cargile said one workshop will provide information on invasive species used in food like garlic mustard.

“I’m especially excited to see all the films that are going to be submitted internationally,” said Alexia Clay, senior outreach and engagement publicist for GLEFF. “It’ll be interesting to see how filmmakers interpret the environment and sustainability from an international perspective.”