WELCOME TO TORONTO

“Every film should have its own world, a logic and feel to it that expands beyond the exact image that the audience is seeing.”
- Christopher Nolan


WHO ARE WE?

Toronto International Filmmakers’ Festival (TIFF) primarily started for independent filmmakers and to recognise their work of art. We understand that the process of submitting to film festivals and the challenges met when trying to get recognition for their work in the industry is very hectic. That’s why TIFF was born, with the motive to support filmmakers in every way possible. TIFF is dedicated to present the best of cinema and create transformational experiences for film enthusiasts and creators of all ages and backgrounds. Our mission is to award and showcase the best independent films from around the world. Our motto is simple: Empower Indie Filmmakers.

Awards & Prizes

  1. Officially Selected projects of each month will receive our laurel and certificates.
  2. All monthly Award Winners will receive laurel and customized certificates.
  3. We have 2 different kinds of Awards, other than the Winner Award that equally value the art and hard work of all our participants, if selected. Our Jury decides a Winner each month from each category. Outstanding Achievement Award Winners and Critics’ Choice Award winners are then selected based on jury decisions and credibility of the film.
  4. Each year we select the Best of the Winners from all Monthly Winners, Outstanding Achievement Awardees and Critics’ Choice Winners. The FINAL WINNERS receive the prestigious ANNUAL AWARD and are screened at a Movie Hall in Venice in front of a wide audience.

Gallery

CATEGORIES

  1. Short Films (Less than 40 minutes)
  2. Narrative Features (Above 40 minutes)
  3. Canadian Short Films (Less than 40 minutes)
  4. Canadian Narrative Feature (Above 40 minutes)
  5. Documentary Films (Any length)
  6. Experimental Films (Any length)
  7. Student Films (Any length)
  8. Women's Films (Any length)
  9. Drone Films (Any length)
  10. Web and New Media (Any length)
  11. Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) and 360° Video (Any length)
  12. Mobile Film (Any length)
  13. Horror / Science Fiction / Genre Feature Film (Above 40 minutes)
  14. Film on Women (Any Length)
  15. Animated Films (Any length)
  16. LGBT Film (Any length)
  17. Free Speech (Any length)
  18. Educational Film (Any length)
  19. Film on Religion (Any length)
  20. Silent Film (Any length)
  21. Young Filmmaker (Under 18) (Any length)
  22. Debut Filmmaker (1st or 2nd Film) (Any length)
  23. Short Script
  24. Feature Script
  25. Family/Children Films (Any length)
  26. Films on Disability Issue (Any length)
  27. Film on Nature / Environment / Wildlife (Any length)
  28. Travel Film (Any length)
  29. One Minute Film
  30. Postmodern Films (Any length)
  31. Television / Pilot Program or Series (Any length)
  32. Commercial / Advertisement (Any length)
  33. Music Video (Any length)
  34. Trailer/Teaser (5 minutes or less)
  35. Film/Video Poster
  36. Photography (Photos from film set included)
  37. Treatment / Synopsis
  38. Performing Arts
  39. Amateur Film
  40. Best Director (Any Length)
  41. Best Cinematography (Fiction & Documentary) (Any Length)
  42. Best Editing (Fiction & Documentary) (Any Length)
  43. Best Sound Designing (Fiction & Documentary) (Any Length)
  44. Best Actor (Fiction) (Any Length)
  45. Best Actress (Fiction) (Any Length)
  46. Best Supporting Actor (Fiction) (Any length)
  47. Best Supporting Actress (Fiction) (Any length)
  48. Best Film Score – Soundtrack
  49. Best VFX Artist
  50. Best Producer
  51. Crime Short (Less than 40 minutes)
  52. Romantic Short (Less than 40 minutes)
  53. Comedy short (Less than 40 minutes)
  54. Micro Movies
  55. Selfie Video


RULES AND REGULATIONS

Please read these Rules & Terms carefully before you submit your film. By submitting your film into competition in the TIFF, you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by the terms of these Rules & Terms. TIFF is open to any film, regardless of content, subject, or origin. Submitting your film to the TIFF is not a guarantee of selection. All the official selections, nominees, and winners will be listed on our website permanently. We treat every filmmaker equally.

  1. The film submitted to TIFF for a particular month can be re-submitted at any time for a second chance, considering that we have different jury panels for each season.
  2. Films made in languages other than English must have English subtitles otherwise they will be summarily rejected.
  3. The TIFF reserves the right to refuse entries.
  4. A director/producer may submit more than one film in a category and more than one category at a time.
  5. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the TIFF, from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, and publicity.
  6. After a film has been an official selection, the filmmaker will be notified, and eventually, the film will be listed on the festival website under Official Selections. The Official Selection status doesn’t mean that your film will be screened at the festival. It means that your film has been appreciated by our judges of the panel and you can use the festival logo on your poster.
  7. The TIFF will not refund any fees if the filmmaker fails to submit the film in the correct category. Films submitted without the correct fees or proper submission media may be deemed ineligible at the discretion of the TIFF programming director or executive director. The festival does not cover any of the expenses incurred by the filmmaker.
  8. We require an official trailer or poster, synopsis, and a link to your film. Please select the correct category while submitting to avoid disqualification. We reserve the right to re-assign films to the appropriate category.
  9. A nominee will be privately screened for the TIFF judging panel and will not be screened initially to the public.
  10. A filmmaker’s submission fee will not be reimbursed if they decide to withdraw their submission. All entry fees are non-refundable.
  11. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the TIFF, from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, and publicity.
  12. TIFF may without advance notice amend these Rules & Terms from time to time. Every amendment shall become effective immediately. It is your responsibility to periodically check for updates of these Rules & Terms.