2015 Every Film Festival in Toronto: all 35 of them
Yes, there are more festivals in Toronto than just TIFF and Hot Docs. By the way, did you know that there are two “TIFF”s? One is the TIFF everyone knows, and the other is the “Toronto Independent Film Festival”; a festival you have a hugely greater chance of getting into than the regular TIFF. And the best thing is, you can brag “Hey my movie premiered at TIFF” and not be technically lying.
Anyway, for you my scholars, we’ve compiled a list of all the festivals, with submission deadlines, within the GTA. If you want more content like this and want to be updated instantly when it comes out, join the 500+ other filmmakers and get the free newsletter.
Every Single Film Festival in Toronto
Toronto International Film Festival (link)
The Toronto International Film Festival is the most prestigious festival in Toronto. I didn’t have to put it first, but ah well.
Genre Restrictions
Multiple films of every kind. No restrictions other than the obvious “no porn.” Unless it’s tasteful porn, and then it can go under the category of “art films you didn’t get.”
Eligibility
International and Canadian short films
Location
350 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
Deadline
February 9, 2015 to May 1, 2015
How-To Apply
In order to submit your film, you must register via http://Withoutabox.com and send to: submissions@tiff.net.
indiefilmTO Film Festival (link)
Yes, a shameless plug, so what? I don’t feel any shame. I wanna screen your movies.
Genre Restrictions
None. Must be a short though.
Eligibility
Anyone from the GTA or Ontario can apply.
Location
Queen and Spadina
Deadline
Submissions start March 15th, and last until May 15th, 2015.
How-To Apply
Keep checking our site, we’ll open up the submissions in the next two weeks. Or you can sign up to be notified here.
Queer West Film Festival (link)
Genre Restrictions
Deals with LBTQ themes, or by an artist who belongs to that group.
Location
Revue Cinema on August 7th to August 9th.
Deadline
The deadline to submit just passed (April 4th) but look out for next years.
Toronto Independent Film Festival (link)
The Toronto Independent Film Festival, not to be confused with TIFF, is a short film festival
Genre Restrictions
Just shorts, no genre restrictions.
Eligibility
International films in the following categories: documentary, short film, LGBT film, animated short, Experimental short, Sci-Fi Short, and music videos
Location
2100 Bloor St. West, Suite 6130.
Deadline
The earliest submission period is January 16, 2015. The latest is July 10th.
How-To Apply
In order to submit your film, you must register via info@film-fest.ca. You must also submit the entry fees.
The Festival Doc Shop (link)
The Festival Doc Shop is a source for only the hottest documentaries
Genre Restrictions
The greatest documentary festival in Toronto. Food for thought!
Eligibility
Documentaries (All Matters) must be English language, subtitled in English or English-versioned
Location
110 Spadina Avenue, Suite 333, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 2K4
Deadline
Now to March 23, 2015
Toronto After Dark (link)
Toronto After Dark is a horror based film centre in Toronto.
Genre Restrictions
Horror. Thriller. Question is, can you take it?
Eligibility
Can you scare or be scared? Seriously, that’s what it says on their site.
Location
3219 Yonge Street, Suite 346, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3S1
Deadline
(Passed) Keep this in mind for when it opens up again soon.
How-To Apply
You must contact: info@torontoafterdark.com. There simply is no other way!
Inside Out Film Festival (link)
Toronto’s Queer film festival is a niche market for specific films.
Genre Restrictions
Romance, Queer.
Eligibility
Must have themes that deal with LGBTQ.
Location
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 219, Toronto, ON M5V 3A8 CANADA
Deadline
Now to February 20, 2015
How-To Apply
Inside Out
Attn: Meryl Warren, Programming Assistant
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 219
Toronto, ON M5V 3A8 CANADA
When in doubt, contact submissions@insideout.ca.
Real Asian Film Festival (link)
Eligibility
East/South/Southeast Asian/Asian North American and Asian Films
Location
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 309. Toronto, Ontario M5V 3A8 Canada
Deadline
(Passed) APRIL 30, 2014
How-To Apply
Mail your submission to their location, or email info@reelasian.com.
Toronto Jewish Film Festival (link)
Jewish Film Festival of Toronto where you sing, dance and film it!
Eligibility
Must deal in subjects of Jewish history and culture
Location
19 Madison Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 2S2
Deadline
March 26, 2015.
How-To Apply
http://form.zonefestival.com/?k=tjff_f1
Planet in Focus (link)
Environmentalism films. Hey watch out for those sexy Panda’s.
Eligibility
Must have ecological and environmental topics.
Location
33 Mill Street, Unit 1209, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A 3R3
Deadline
May 1st, 2015
Cinefranco (link)
The French language film festival, where you get to steal the Pink Panther Diamond of films.
Genre Restrictions
Culturally French centric
Eligibility
The film must be in French.
Location
642 King street West, Suite 307, Toronto, ON M5V 1M5
Deadline
April 10 to 19, 2015
How-To Apply
Images (link)
Provides interdisciplinary films which focus on the cutting edge of new media professionalism
Genre Restrictions
Programming considered outside dominant media
Eligibility
All works related to the moving image, interactive processes and digital media are eligible for entry.
Location
401 Richmond St. W. # 448, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3A8 CANADA
Deadline
17th October 2015
How-To Apply
http://www.ima…tallation.php or email: submissions@imagesfestival.com
Open Roof Festival (link)
A not for profit outdoor music and film festival
Location
99 Sudbury St, Toronto, ON. M6J 3C2
How-To Apply
Bring your film to the event: contact@openrooffestival.com
Reel World (link)
Eligibility
Feature racially diverse people in prominent roles in film/video content.
Location
243 Eglinton Ave West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4R 1B1
Deadline
(Passed) Keep in mind for the future though.
Toronto Urban Film Festival (link)
North America’s largest commuter film festival.
Genre Restrictions
Movies made in commuter locations
Eligibility
They search for different kinds of films year to year. Last year they were looking for 60 second silent films. Who knows what they might be seeking next year? Stay creative!
Location
300-266 King St. West
Toronto, ON M5V 1H8
Deadline
Passed. Keep in mind for the future! Don’t let this discourage you, my scholars.
How-To Apply
info@torontourbanfilmfestival.com
European Union Film Festival (link)
Genre Restrictions
The European films that interest Toronto audiences.
Location
608 College Street Toronto, Ontario M6G 1A1
Deadline
(Passed) 15 -30 November 2014. They are opening up soon though so keep checking back.
How-To Apply
Be sure to talk to them in Euro’s: jabessira@eutorontofilmfest.ca
Regent Park Film Festival (link)
Regent Park is Film Festival for the neighborhood of Regent Park.
Eligibility
The festival focuses on stories that resonate with the inner-city, community-driven, transient context of Regent Park, as well as with other communities in Toronto, across Canada and around the globe.
Location
585 Dundas Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Deadline
Passed.
How-To Apply
http://regentp…it-your-film/ and email them: info@regentparkfilmfestival.com
Toronto Palestine Film Festival (link)
Genre Restrictions
Palestinian history, culture and politics
Eligibility
Palestinian filmmakers; as well as films on topics related to Palestine by Canadian and International filmmakers
Location
102A-1075 Bay Street, Suite 148 , Toronto, ON M5S 2B2 Canada
Deadline
Passed.
How-To Apply
http://tpff.ca…on-Form-1.doc email: submissions@tpff.ca
ImagineNative Film and Media Arts Festival (link)
Genre Restrictions
First Nation, American Indian and Canadian Indian films.
Eligibility
To be eligible, an Indigenous person (ie. self-identified as Indigenous, Aboriginal or First Peoples and their descendents) must have held a key creative role on the project as a writer, director, or producer. The content of the film/video can be universal
Location
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 349, Toronto, ON, Canada M5V 3A8
Deadline
(Passed) May 15, 2014
How-To Apply
Attn: Submissions
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 349
Toronto, ON, Canada M5V 3A8
You can always email first: programming@imagineNATIVE.org
Female-eye film festival (link)
Films which strongly features women
Genre Restrictions
Subjects involving the lives of women.
Eligibility
Female film-makers, or those with a predominantly female cast/crew.
Location
180 Shaw Street, Toronto, Ontario
How-To Apply
You must submit your film through Vimeo: submitfeff@gmail.com
Toronto South African Film Festival (link)
Eligibility
Features and documentaries about the culture, history and politics of South Africa
Deadline
Passed.
How-To Apply
Talk to them at info@tsaff.ca
Brazil Film Fest (link)
A film festival dedicated to Brazilian culture in Toronto.
Genre Restrictions
Documentaries or features that showcase Brazilian culture.
Location
TIFF Bell Lightbox.
Deadline
Passed. But don’t let that discourage you my friend.
How-To Apply
Subscribe to their newsletter or follow them on twitter at @brazilfilmfest.
Toronto Silent Film Festival
You might think it’s silent, but pictures say more than words!
Genre Restrictions
A curse on the spoken word
Eligibility
Must be a silent film
Location
140 Rhodes Avenue. Toronto, Ontario.
Canada M4L 3A1
How-To Apply
Contact them at torontosilentfilm@gmail.com
**added after March 20th**
Scarborough Film Festival (link)
Eligibility
Canadian and world cinema
Location
Suite 572 – 36 Stadium Rd. Toronto, ON., Canada. M5V 3P4
Deadline
June 2015 ( First Week )
How-To Apply
info@scarboroughfilmfestival.com
Toronto Web Festival (link)
Eligibility
A festival for independent web series
Location
The last festival was held at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto
How-To Apply
Email them at info@towebfest.com
Blood in the Snow (link)
Eligibility
Canadian-made shorts, features and documentaries in the horror, underground or grindhouse genre’s.
Deadline
November 27, 2015
Location
Carlton Cinema’s
How-To Apply
To submit go to this email: info@bloodinthesnow.ca
The Canadian Film Festival (link)
Eligibility
Any Canadian-made film
Deadline
They appear to have multiple deadlines for different kinds of films
Location
1 Tregann St. Unite A
Toronto, ON M5A 3A9
How-To Apply
Email these guys at: berneuler@canfilmfest.ca
8 Fest: Small Gauge Film Festival (link)
Eligibility
Films in any genre
Deadline
September 30th, 2015
How- To Apply
the8fest@gmail.com with complete submission form.
aluCine Latin Film + Media Arts Festival (link)
Eligibility
Latin-American films by Latin-American artists living in Canada
Deadline
April 2nd 2015
How- To Apply
Submissions are now closed: Must wait until 2016
Location
Jackman Hall AGO
Rendez-vous with Madness (link)
Eligibility
Films designed for high-school students and for the benefit of people living with mental illness
Deadline
August 7th 2015
Location
TIFF Bell Lightbox
How- To Apply
Fill out this form: link and then email: geoff_pevere@workmanarts.com
TIFF Kids International Festival (link)
Eligibility
Films for Kids
Deadline
Applications for the TIFF kids Studio open March 1st.
Location
TIFF Lightbox
Cabbagetown Short Film Festival (link)
Eligibility
For the best short films from around the world, to be shown in the neighborhood of Cabbagetown.
Deadline
September 11 2015
Location
383 Sackville Street
How-to Apply
Application form at this link: link
The Parkdale Showcase (link)
Deadline
May 4 2015
Location
Parkdale and Roncesvalles neighborhood
How-to Apply
Visit the submission form here: link
The Breast Film Festival (link)
A Festival dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness.
Eligibility
Documentaries and features exploring being young and suffering from breast cancer
Location
215 Spadina Avenue, Studio 570, Toronto, ON. M5T 2C7
Deadline
September 30th 2015
How-to Apply
Submit your film to: allen@rethinkbreastcancer.com
The Pomegranate Film Festival (link)
The Armenian Film Festival.
Eligibility
Relevant topics for Armenian culture
Location
50 Hallcrown Place, North York. Ontario. M2J 4Y4
Deadline
Wednesday November 5th 2015
How-to Apply
Submit a film to them by following this link: ( link )
The Water Docs Film Festival (link)
A film festival all about Water and Ecology
Eligibility
Any documentary, short or feature which deals in preserving clean water
Location
250 The East Mall
Deadline
March 18th 2015
How-to Apply
For submitting your film please contact: info@ecologos.ca
The Lakeshorts Film Festival (link)
A short film festival for South Etobicoke.
Eligibility
Short films from independent filmmakers
Location
2422 Lakeshore Blvd W.
Deadline
May 2nd 2015
How-to Apply
Please email Michelle Nolden: lakeshorts@lakeshorearts.ca
Bonus
The Toronto Fringe Festival (link)
If you are a theatre actor, you can always gather your troops and put on some live performances. Talk to them at: The Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival #403 – 720 Bathurst Street or general@fringetoronto.com,
Toronto International Deaf Film & Arts Festival (link)
A film for the deaf in Toronto.
Genre Restrictions
Must be for the deaf.
Eligibility
Subtitles a must; intended for a deaf audience
Deadline
April 1st, 2015
How-To Apply
Contact them at info@titfaf.ca and arts_submission@tidfaf.ca.
1. 8 Fest
2. aluCine Latin Film + Media Arts Festival
3. Rendez-vous with Madness
What about the Blood in The Snow Festival
Hello, would you be able to add Ekran Film Festival to your list, thank you
1 Toronto Youth Shorts
2 University of Toronto film festival
To be clear: The Toronto Urban Film Festival asks for silent 60 second films every year since the festival films are screening on the TTC platform screens.