Changing the conversation about rivers
River Film Fest celebrates free rivers, clean water, and freshwater life.
Each year, we present an international selection of environmental and outdoor films in cities around Europe. By sharing stories and discussing scientific insight, we want to change the conversation about rivers, and inspire action.
As rivers are threatened around the globe, biodiversity is in dramatic decline. If water is life, we better take care of it.
We know this much →
The love people have for water is real
Options for better river protection are real
Dam removal and rewilding is real
Are you a river lover too? Join the conversation and become a partner.
With your support, we can continue our mission with a River Film Fest 2024 tour. For the love of water!
In November 2023, the Living Rivers Foundation launched a series of Open Rivers River Film Festivals. We celebrate free-flowing rivers, clean water, and life within water bodies. Through the exchange of stories and the discussion of scientific findings, we aim to change the discourse around rivers and inspire action. The initiative began in November 2023 at the annual water conservation forum of environmental organizations.
We believe that Europe needs to better protect its last wild rivers and can do more to remove dams and other barriers.
The Main Riverfilmfest shorts will commence on 14. March 2024, International Day of Action for Rivers. It is supported by the European Open Rivers Programme. Approximately 1 million dams and weirs fragment Europe's rivers, many of which are no longer needed.
The European Open Rivers Programme (ORP) provides funding for projects aimed at removing weirs and small dams and restoring river flow and biodiversity. Calls for applications are made every 6-9 months.
The European Open Rivers Programme is a grant-giving organization dedicated to river restoration.
Flussfilmfest Munich 2020, final applause (photo: Kristof Reuther)
