The judging criteria were clearly defined, emphasizing creativity, originality, message clarity, and overall impact.

The judging panel comprised experts from the fields of filmmaking, environmental science, and sustainability, ensuring a balanced evaluation of submissions. Composed by: Alexandra Gonçalves (lawyer; Executive producer of the documentary “Kalunga”; founder The Art Affair); Carina Van-Dúnem (Policy Officer – Embassy of the Netherlands in Angola); Leandro Lima aka Lee Bogota (director, editor for Reuters, UNDP Angola); Gaspar Pedro (Graphic Designer, communications Projecto Eco Jovens – Salesians of Dom Bosco) and Miguel Hurst ( actor and director; co-author Angola Cinemas – Goethe Institut).

Short films competing in ‘Shortcutz Luanda meets EcoJovens’ must have been produced in Angola within the last 3 years. The minimum length must be 5 minutes and the maximum 20 minutes according to published Regulation. Registering on https://filmfreeway.com/ShortcutzLuanda guaranteed that the film would be uploaded in restricted mode and only available for private viewing by the Jury.

Transparency in the selection process  was maintained through clear communication of the judging criteria and feedback. Also on the public screening the audience provided through a voting form, polled for the Audience Award, counted on site and announced at the event.