COVID-19: DUE TO THE FLUID SITUATION OF COVID-19 WE PUT THE FESTIVAL ON PAUSE UNTIL THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT PERMITS THEATRES TO RE-OPEN.

The Hollywood North Film Festival (HNFF) is a non-profit organization focused on bringing quality films, workshops & networking events to the Bay of Quinte region.

Past films include The Lobster, Brigsby Bear, The Meaning of Life, Helio, Mercy, Lima, Across the Line and more! Filmmakers and celebrities from across Ontario and North America have attended the festival in its first three years!

NEW FOR 2019: Filmmakers who submit their film are automatically granted two Festival Filmmaker Passes to this year's festival. Even if your film is not selected, you still can come and have the Hollywood North Film Festival experience!

We look forward to viewing your films!

Awards are as follows:

- Best Overall Film -
The judges will be looking for high level of cinematic quality in Directing, Cinematography, Writing, Creatives (hair & makeup, production design) and Technical (sounds effects, music/score). The film that the judge's feel achieves this level of standard will be awarded.

- Best Local Film -
The film the judges feel displays excellence in filmmaking by a local filmmaker from the Bay of Quinte region will be awarded.

- Oustanding Female Director -
Films directed by a female will be awarded based on a rating system used by festival judges. Judges will be looking for the quality of story told while taking into consideration numerous other factors.

- Best Film Score -
Judges will be looking for original music/scoring to a film that captures the emotional quality and pacing of the film. All film types and categories qualify for this award. Submitted pieces of music MUST be original and created for the specific film.

- Audience Choice -
Attending audience members will be able to vote for the film of their choice. The film with the most votes will be awarded.

Category Awards
- Best Feature
- Best Short
- Best Student
- Best Animation
- Best Indigenous
- Best Family/Kids
- Best LGBTQ2+
- Best Experimental

ELIGIBILITY: Submissions may be a feature, short, student, animation of any genre and topic. Only films completed no more than 20 months prior to the festival dates will be considered for admission. Works in progress will be accepted, as such please note this when submitting! 

If your film is a student submission, please check the box when submitting. We also require proof of student status. Please email us a photo of your student ID card to contact@hnff.ca

Preference will be given to submissions that have NOT been distributed theatrically, broadcast on television in Canada or available to view online for free prior to the 2019 Festival.

Filmmakers MUST have secured clearance to use all copyrighted or trademarked material (music, images, text sources, etc). Failure to obtain clearance could result in your film being withdrawn from the festival.

More than one film entry may be submitted. Each must be submitted separately.

NOTE: We DO NOT judge films that are not screened for the public during the festival. By submitting your film, you waive the right to pull your film from the festival. If your film is selected to play, it must play regardless.

Entry fees are non-refundable.

FORMAT: Films in languages other than English MUST have English subtitles or be dubbed in English. If selected, .mov (H.265 codec only) will be the only permitted formats of exhibition. If selected, the filmmaker will assume shipping costs of materials to the Hollywood North Film Festival. Items shipped to the festival will not be returned.

SELECTION: All entries will be viewed by the selection committee. The selection committee and judges decisions are final. We reserve the right to refuse exhibition to any submission deemed by HNFF to be inappropriate.

NOTIFICATION: All notifications of acceptance or rejection will be ongoing and all submissions will be notified the latest by Mid September 2019.

Participation in the Hollywood North Film Festival grants us the authorization to show elements of the entered film for promotional purposes if required.

By submitting your film to the Hollywood North Film Festival you agree that you have read, understood, and agree to all the terms and conditions of the festival rules and guidelines.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alyssa Asaro

    A great festival to attend, with some really wonderful venues to screen at--would recommend!

    January 2020
  • Jana Stackhouse

    It was a pleasure to be part of this festival. They were fast and efficient with communication and treated the filmmakers wonderfully. Screenings are spread out, but the selection is great. Many thanks to everyone involved!

    January 2018
  • New, small festival, but they bring together an amazing selection of film. Everyone connected with the festival is friendly and supportive. The venues are great. They respect film and how they are shared. This one should continue to grow and have a bright future. Thank you HNFF! We look forward to submitting and getting back up there.

    November 2017
  • Our first participation in a Canadian Festival with our film ALLEGORIA being in the Official Selection. Unfortunately non of ouor team was able to be present but the organization has communicated so well with visual updates, on their website, their Facebook Page and Twitter account that one can only regret not having been there. I couldn't honestly give 5 stars on any topic other than Communication,because I was not there physically, but their communications helped to see how energetic and well organized this Festival's team is. Congratulations on a great event.

    July 2016
  • H. Nelson Tracey

    Great small scale festival, it's new so its audiences are small but the intimate atmosphere is extremely positive and welcoming. Loved the people I met there - because it was small you get to spend more time with all the filmmakers present. Also fantastic location in Ontario Canada! Because I attended its first year, I think they'll be improving in the years to come as well.

    July 2016