2026 REQUIREMENTS
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Films must have been completed after January 1, 2025
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Non-English language films must have English sub-titles.
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Works-in-progress will be considered, provided they will be completed 3 weeks prior to the festival.
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You may submit more than one film, but you must submit each film separately.
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​DEADLINES​
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Early Deadline: March 27, 2026
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Regular Deadline: May 8, 2026
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Extended Deadline: June 5, 2026
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Late Deadline: July 3, 2026
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ENTRY FEES
International Shorts
Open to filmmakers based outside of Canada, with shorts filmed outside of Canada.
All film genres are accepted with total running time under 45 minutes.
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Early Deadline: $39
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Regular Deadline: $49
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Extended Deadline: $59
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Late Deadline: $69
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Canadian Shorts
Open to filmmakers based in Canada, with shorts filmed outside the province of Ontario, Canada
All film genres are accepted with total running time under 45 minutes.
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Early Deadline: $39
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Regular Deadline: $49
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Extended Deadline: $59
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Late Deadline: $69
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Toronto Shorts
Open to Canadian filmmakers based in Toronto with shorts filmed within the Greater Toronto Area, including regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel, and York. All film genres are accepted with total running time under 45 minutes.
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Early Deadline: $39
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Regular Deadline: $49
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Extended Deadline: $59
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Late Deadline: $69
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Entry fees are non-refundable
Films will not be viewed without entry fee payment
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​SELECTION​
Film selection for the festival will be made by the screening committee.
Filmmakers will be notified via email of acceptance.
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​AWARDS​
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Best of Festival
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Best International
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Best Drama
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Best Comedy
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Best Animation
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Best Documentary
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Best Experimental
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Best Sci-Fi
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Best Horror
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Best Music Video
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Best Web Series
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Three Canadian films will be selected to screen at the New York Shorts International Film Festival *A qualifying film festival for the Canadian Screen Awards.
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If any award category does not meet the standard deemed award worthy by the judges, it’s possible there will be no award given in that category.
