Every Single Film Festival in Toronto (2016): All 40+ 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 technically not be technically.
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
Deadline
February 8, 2016 to May 6, 2016 (late: June, 3, 2016)
How-To Apply
In order to submit your film, you must register via http://Withoutabox.com and send to: submissions@tiff.net.
Future of Film Showcase (link)
The team behind the Future of Film Showcase is a group of diverse young filmmakers aged 25 and younger.
Genre Restrictions
None, just make sure you are under 30 years old OR you’re studying film currently. This is to help the up and comers!
Eligibility
Short films but check this out to be sure.
Deadline
April 9th, 2016 (soon!), so apply here.
indiefilmTO Festival 2016 (link)
Yes, a shameless plug, so what? I don’t feel any shame. I wanna screen your movies.
Genre Restrictions
None. We accept short films, and narratives.
Eligibility
Anyone from the GTA or Ontario can apply. You can apply if you’re international, the thing is, your film better be DAMN good then. Which I’m sure it is! You made it after all, you handsome beautiful person you…
Location
Bell TIFF Lightbox, 350 King St. West. Toronto ON.
Deadline
Submissions open on Without A Box on April 15th, and last until August 15th, 2016.
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 via newsletter.
Queer West Film Festival (link)
Genre Restrictions
Deals with LBTQ themes, or by an artist who belongs to that group.
Location
August 12-14, 2016 U of T – Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue.
Deadline
April 15th, 2016
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
20 Carlton Street at Yonge, Toronto, ON M5B 2H5
Deadline
The earliest submission period is January 16, 2016. The latest is July 8th.
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
Submissions for Hot Docs 2016 are now closed
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
TBA (Spring)
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
Deadline has passed.
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
EARLY DEADLINE (No Submission Fee): April 17, 2016
REGULAR DEADLINE ($15* short films | $25* feature films): June 19, 2016
FINAL DEADLINE ($30* short films | $45* feature films): July 3, 2016
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
Passed: January 20, 2016
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
Early Bird Submission Deadline – April 4th, 2016
General Submission Deadline – May 2nd, 2016
Late Submission Deadline – May 27th, 2016
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
TBA
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
Submissions are now closed.
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
None but keep in mind the films will be screened at 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 (but for screening location, contact them)
Deadline
Submission Opening Date: March 1, 2016
Early-bird deadline: April 1, 2016
Regular deadline: May 27, 2016
Late deadline: June 15, 2016
How-To Apply
Check link.
European Union Film Festival (link)
Genre Restrictions
The European films that interest Toronto audiences.
Location
608 College Street Toronto, Ontario M6G 1A1
Deadline
(Passed) 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
DEADLINE JUNE 10, 2016
How-To Apply
http://regentp…m-submissions/ 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://topalff.net/submission/ 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
Free Deadline: May 15, 2016
Late Deadline ($25 fee): June 1, 2016
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: submissions@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
Deadline
EARLY DEADLINE
September 30th, 2015 (postmarked)
$30.00 (STUDENT FEE $20.00)
In Competition $100
REGULAR DEADLINE
December 31, 2015 (postmarked)
$45.00 (STUDENT FEE: $20.00)
In Competition $100
LATE DEADLINE
February 29, 2016 (postmarked)
$60.00 (STUDENT FEE: $25.00)
In Competition $100
EXTENDED DEADLINE
March 31, 2016 (postmarked)
$70.00 (STUDENT FEE $45.00)
In Competition $100
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
TBA.
How-To Apply
Talk to them at terence@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
TBA.
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
Scarborough Film Festival(link)
Eligibility
Canadian and world cinema
Location
Suite 572 – 36 Stadium Rd. Toronto, ON., Canada. M5V 3P4
Deadline
Passed.
How-To Apply
info@scarboroughfilmfestival.com
Toronto Web Festival (link)
Eligibility
A festival for independent web series
Deadline
Passed.
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 genres.
Deadline
May 1, 2016 – Earlybird Deadline
August 15, 2016 – Regular Deadline
September 15, 2016 – Late Deadline
October 1, 2016 – Last Chance Deadline
Location
10 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON, CA
How-To Apply
https://filmfreeway.com/festival/BloodintheSnowCanadianFilmFestival
The Canadian Film (link)
Eligibility
Any Canadian-made film
Deadline
Passed.
Location
6 Sandford Ave, Toronto ON
How-To Apply
Email these guys at: berneuler@canfilmfest.ca
8 Fest: Small Gauge Film Festival (link)
Eligibility
Films in any genre
Deadline
Passed.
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
Passed.
How- To Apply
Submissions are now closed
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
TBA
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
TIFF Studio: Friday, 25 April 2016
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
JULY 31 2016
Location
383 Sackville Street
How-to Apply
Application form at this link: link
The Parkdale Showcase (link)
Deadline
TBA.
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
TBA.
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
TBA.
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
Passed.
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
Passed.
How-to Apply
Please email Michelle Nolden: lakeshorts@lakeshorearts.ca
Ekran – Toronto Polish Film Festival (link)
Ekran Polish Film Association is a grassroots non-profit organization founded in Toronto by a group of individuals who are passionate about showcasing new media arts and films with both a Polish and multicultural focus.
Eligibility
See link.
Location
2765 Lake Shore Blvd. #207 M8V 1H2 Toronto, ON
Deadline
See link.
How-to Apply
Please visit http://ekran.ca/contact-us/
Toronto Youth Shorts (link)
Toronto Youth Shorts is a volunteer-run not-for-profit initiative that produces a series of events for young emerging filmmakers in the Greater Toronto and Southern Ontario Area.
Eligibility
The festival values all forms of entertainment and do not wish to impose any limits or forms of censorship, however you can see more by clicking here and going to the Themes and Subject Matter section.
Location
253 Danforth Ave. Lower Level Toronto, Ontario M4K 1N2
Deadline
REGULAR DEADLINE: The fee for submissions received between March 12 – May 13, 2016 is $20.
How-to Apply
Visit the link or email: torontoyouthshorts [at] gmail [dot] com
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
TBA.
How-To Apply
Contact them at info@titfaf.ca and arts_submission@tidfaf.ca.
You guys are missing the new kid on the block, the Future of Film Showcase (fofs.CA)
Submissions close this Saturday!
Added :). Good luck on your festival !
Um…there are over 160 film festivals in Toronto. This is not even close to a complete list. Sounds like just plug for your own website. I don’t think I’ll advertise my film festival here.
This is the old list. The new one is here https://indiefilmto.com/festivals/100-film-festivals-toronto/
Don’t forget JAYU’s annual Human Rights Film Festival! It’s 5th version is coming up this December 9-11 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema 🙂