***PLEASE READ TERMS CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING TO SUBMIT***

Summer Edition: June 28, 2021 - the live event is CANCELLED due to indoor social-gathering restrictions imposed by the Province of Ontario. Awards are going ahead on that same day, with announcements posted on altff.org and our Facebook page.

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We accept ALL GENRES for the Ultra Short, Super Short, Short, Long Short and Feature Categories. For the Quarantine Category, the requirements change per edition. Read below.

RULES FOR **QUARANTINE CATEGORY** - SUMMER 2021
-For the QUARANTINE CATEGORY of the SUMMER 2021 EDITION we are only looking for DRAMA FILMS!
-Must be made during quarantine / social distancing / self-isolation times (from March 1, 2020 onward)
-Length must be between 1 and 10 minutes
-FREE ENTRY

Please respect these rules and also your local social distancing rules as we strive to beat this pandemic together!

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See website https://www.altff.org for up-to-date info.

All genres accepted for the following categories:
Feature Films (45 minutes and over)
Long Short Films (20 to 45 minutes)
Short Films (5 to 20 minutes)
Super Short Films (1 to 5 minutes)
Ultra Short Films (15 to 60 seconds) - *This category is NOT eligible for the Best Film of the Festival Award. However, submissions remain eligible for IMDb Awards*

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All previous nominees and winners are posted at http://www.altff.org

al·ter·na·tive
ôlˈtərnədiv/
adjective

1. (of one or more things) available as another possibility.

The Alternative Film Festival is a quarterly event that is committed to bringing filmmakers of all levels - even beginners - a chance at taking home a festival award. We are an IMDb eligible festival meaning filmmakers will be able to post their nominations and wins on their IMDb profiles.

WE NOW SCREEN THE 10 BEST FILM FINALISTS FOR EACH QUARTER AT OUR QUARTERLY EVENT, BEGINNING WITH THE SPRING 2021 EDITION. All other Semi-Finalists (in many different categories) are in the running to win our IMDb-eligible awards.

******OUR PARTNER FESTIVALS******
Toronto Monthly Film Awards (new awards event, monthly editions)
FilmFreeway.com/TorontoMonthlyFilmAwards

Couch Film Festival (IMDb-eligible awards)
FilmFreeway.com/CouchFF

Minute Madness Toronto (60-seconds films only!)
FilmFreeway.com/MinuteMadnessTO

6ix Screams International Horror Film Festival (IMDb-eligible + horror films only!)
FilmFreeway.com/6ixScreams

300 Seconds Short Film Festival (IMDb-eligible and 5 minutes and under only!)
FilmFreeway.com/300SecSFF

Awards & Prizes

For our 2021 Editions:

10 Best Film of the Festival Finalists will be chosen per edition. EACH OF THE 10 IS GUARANTEED TO WIN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING IMDb-eligible AWARDS and ALTFF WAIVERS:

-Best Film of the Festival + 2 free entry waivers to future AltFF Editions
-1st Runner Up for Best Film + 1 free entry waiver to future AltFF Editions
-2nd Runner Up for Best Film + 1 free entry waiver to future AltFF Editions
-Best Director of the Festival + 1 free entry waiver to future AltFF Editions
-Best Writer of the Festival + 1 free entry waiver to future AltFF Editions
-Best Actress of the Festival + 1 free entry waiver to future AltFF Editions
-Best Actor of the Festival + 1 free entry waiver to future AltFF Editions
-Best Cast of the Festival + 1 free entry waiver to future AltFF Editions
-Best Cinematography of the Festival + 1 free entry waiver to future AltFF Editions
-Best Editing of the Festival + 1 free entry waiver to future AltFF Editions

One of the 10 will also win AUDIENCE CHOICE (+ 1 free entry waiver to future AltFF Editions) as voted for by our event audience.

Examples of our IMDb-eligible awards for Semi-Finalists:

BEST DRAMA
BEST COMEDY
BEST ANIMATION
BEST EXPERIMENTAL
BEST DOCUMENTARY
BEST HORROR
BEST SCI-FI
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST CAST
BEST WRITER
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST MUSIC

BEST POSTER - photography contest

Printable PDF certificates as well as the winners' laurels will be emailed to award winners the day following our event.

Rules & Terms

We only screen the 10 Best Film of the Festival Finalists for each edition; all other films marked Semi-Finalists/Nominees are eligible for IMDb-approved award - for the year 2020 and 2021 our live screenings are subject to proceed based on local (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) COVID-19 laws and restrictions. However, our awards list will always be posted on time - the event date for each edition.

AltFF accepts all genres in narrative, documentary, animation and experimental films.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
All films must be in English or have English subtitles.
No limit on number of submissions or production date.
All films must have an online screener.
Filmmakers retain the rights to their films.
Filmmakers are responsible for acquiring copyrights, licenses and releases for media used in their films.
Judges' decisions are final.

Submission categories are as follows:

Feature Films (45 minutes and over)
Long Short Films (20 to 45 minutes)
Short Films (5 to 20 minutes)
Super Short Films (1 to 5 minutes)
Ultra Short Films (15 to 59 seconds) - *This category is NOT eligible for the Best Film of the Festival Award. However, submissions remains eligible for IMDb Awards*
Posters
Quarantine Category - requirements change with each edition please check before submitting.

NOTIFICATION STATUS:
***FINALIST - means your film has been chosen as 1 of the 10 Best Film of the Festival Finalists
***SEMI-FINALIST - means your film is in the running for an award or awards in your submitted category (Ultra Short, Super Short, Short, Long Short, Feature, Poster, Quarantine)
460 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sheila V.A.

    We were so honored to have our music video Red Room selected for the Alternative Film Festival! The staff is so supportive, communicative, and notified us immediately of our selection and status of Semi-Finalist. Thank you AltFF for the platform you provide indie filmmakers/actors/songwriters and for all you do!

    June 2021
    Helpful
  • a.p nkunzi

    It was an amazing experience. I am looking forward to the next festival. Thanks for selecting ''2020'' and recognizing me for ''Best Director'' award

    June 2021
    Helpful
  • Edson Carvalho

    My film being a semi-finalist of this prestigious Festival is a source of great pride! Thank you very much and congratulations on the wonderful event!

    February 2021
    Helpful
    Img 9730
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Edson!

  • Kenya Cagle

    ALTFF was on time, very responsive, and worth the submission fee. Thank you for accepting our film and allowing us to be part of your festival. It was an honor to have Killing Joanne chosen as a semi-finalist. I will bring more films to your festival.

    May 2021
    Helpful
  • Shelby Elwood

    I am pleased and grateful to AltFF for appreciating our thriller short "The Predator's Trap" enough to make it an official selection, and recognize it as a Semi-Finalist award winner. Our interaction with the festival was great - very thorough and timely. I can't comment on the hospitality & networking opportunities offered, because there were no live screenings (thanks, COVID!). Our experience was great overall!

    April 2021
    Helpful