The Artifact Small Format Film Festival (formerly the $100 Film Festival) is Calgary’s oldest film festival, and one of the few remaining festivals to project Super 8 and 16mm films.

When the festival was born in 1992, it showcased eight short films on Super 8. The name sprung from the challenge to shoot a short film on four rolls of Super 8 – which tallied to the cost of $100. In following years, the festival dropped the budgetary limit and allowed 16 mm film, which shifted the focus from low budget to quality small-format films. Thus, the name was changed to the Artifact Small Format Film Festival in 2017 so as to better represent the festival's role as an international celebration of creative storytelling on celluloid.

Over the years, Artifact has expanded to include live music, commissioned projects, visiting filmmakers and various partnerships.

Artifact is proud to be among the select few celluloid festivals worldwide that continue to keep the medium alive, and to draw celluloid lovers to Calgary each year.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY
- All genres are accepted
- The film MUST be originally shot on Super 8 or 16mm film. We require a digital copy of the film for jurying (actual digital scan of the film or even a video of the film being projected on a wall/screen is fine).
- Under 22 minutes

REQUIREMENTS FOR EXHIBITION:
For 16mm:
- Sound: Silent, mp3 (with sync instructions), or optical sound

For Super 8
- Sound: Silent, Mag. Strip, or mp3 (with sync instructions),

- Films should have AT LEAST 10 feet of leader
- Each film must be clearly labeled with running speed (18 or 24 fps), length, title and name of filmmaker
- Films must be submitted head out and leaders clearly labelled

SELECTION PROCESS
The Programming Jury selects films from submitted entries, and a separate jury of artists and professionals from the film community selects award recipients. Entries are judged on their creative content, and on innovative uses of celluloid film.

Artifact pays artist fees for all works selected for the festival (based on IMAA rates). If your film is selected for exhibition, you will be asked to ship the ORIGINAL FILM OR A PRINT (Super 8 or 16mm) to Artifact a few weeks before the festival. The Artifact Short Format Film Festival will make every attempt to avoid any damage to your film, but cannot provide any guarantee. At the completion of the festival, your film will be shipped back to you, pre-paid, via UPS.

Extracts and stills from selected films may be used to advertise the Festival in local print, radio or television media, and on the Festival website.

17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Arne Körner

    Great Festival! Excellent communication. Generous screening fee. Thank you for inviting my film.

    June 2024
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  • Bianca Bomfim

    A wonderful film festival. The staff is very attentive. The place where the festival takes place is incredible! It was wonderful to participate in this festival!

    May 2024
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  • Patrick Müller

    On of my favorite film festivals. Great locations and very professional, true lovers of 8mm/16mm film. Always a joy and absolutely recommended.

    April 2024
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  • Sean Bokenkamp

    It was a pleasure and a privilege to screen my work at the Artifact Film Festival. With its roots in advocating for film by highlighting the importance of affordability and access for filmmakers (as the $100 Film Festival), Artifact Film Festival is an invaluable institution in Calgary and in Canada.

    April 2024
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  • Nicole Blundell

    Je suis vraiment reconnaissante que mon œuvre ait été sélectionnée pour participer à votre beau festival. Merci beaucoup :)

    April 2024
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