The competition closes at 11:59 pm (MT) on June 30.
Before entering, please ensure you read the following rules and terms (the “Rules and Terms”) in their entirety.
By submitting an application through FilmFreeway to Banff Centre, the individual or entity submitting the film (the “Entrant”) hereby agrees to comply with these Rules and Terms:
FILMMAKER ELIGIBILITY
An individual who:
- Is the key creative(s) (director, lead producer, or screenwriter) of the project and retains creative control and decision-making authority over the project from application through completion.
- Will remain in a key creative role through the duration of the project. Any material change to this role must be disclosed to and approved in writing by Banff Centre.
- Has a verifiable credit as a key creative (director, lead producer, or screenwriter) on at least one completed film which has been presented in a film festival, broadcast, theatrical, streaming, or commercial context
- Has worked as a key creative (director, lead producer, or screenwriter) on a maximum of either one (1) film over 45 minutes OR three (3) films under 45 minutes.
- Is available to attend the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival for the in-person pitch session on November 7, 2026, if selected as a finalist.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
- Films that are in the development, pre-production, or production stage, will be edited to a final film length of at least 10 minutes, and have outstanding budgeted funding needs of at least $25,000 CAD.
- Films must have an anticipated completion date of no more than 3 years from the pitch session and, if funding has already been secured, must have an outstanding funding need of at least $25,000 CAD as of November 7, 2026.
- Films must be within the mountain culture, adventure, mountain sports or environment genres and would be eligible for the Banff Mountain Film Competition.
- Please review our FilmFreeway Film Competition page for more details on subject eligibility.
- AR/VR and any other interactive or immersive projects are ineligible.
- The Entrant must be able to demonstrate concept, ideal cast, creative team and budget.
- The film and overall project must not infringe on any copyrights of other existing projects.
- Can be in any language, but films in languages other than English will require English subtitles.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Only completed applications will be considered for the competition. Applications should be unique projects on FilmFreeway that include all required elements below.
You will be required to submit:
- Project proposal video: Must be under 5 minutes, in English, or with English subtitles for a non-English project proposal video.
- Project outline/letter of intent: This should include a concept, ideal cast, and creative team (maximum 1 page).
- Project synopsis: maximum 200 words
- Budget: Applicants must fill out the provided BanffPitch budget template, which has been provided in a linked Google sheet here: https://tinyurl.com/jmpjbmxy
- Timeline (including stage of development)
- Link to past work samples: must be under 2 minutes
- CV/Resume with relevant experience and training.
Note:
- Use the form field “Add an Online Screener” to submit your project proposal video.
- Use the form field “Files & Attachments” to submit your budget, timeline, work samples, CV/Resume, and Project Outline/Letter of Intent.
- You may also use “Add a Trailer” field to submit your work samples.
- Use the form field “Brief Synopsis” to add your project synopsis.
PROJECT ASSESSMENT
Your project will be assessed based on the substance, originality, and quality of your story and characters. The Festival team and Jury members will determine the viability of your project based on your artistic merit, your ability to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely, and relevant filmmaking experience.
PITCHING LIVE
The finalists will pitch their projects to an international, independent jury of industry experts and filmmakers in front of a live audience. The jury reserves the right not to present an award, and its decision will be final.
The project proposal video submitted along with this application will be shown during the live pitch session, followed by a 5 to 10-minute pitch presentation. By submitting this application, the Entrant hereby provides Banff Centre with a limited, royalty-free, non-transferable right and license to the project proposal video for the purpose of showing the project proposal video at the live pitch. The Entrant represents and warrants that the Entrant is the sole owner of any and all copyright in the project proposal video or, to the extent the project proposal video incorporates the copyright of others, the Entrant has obtained all necessary rights, licenses and permissions to use such material in order to provide Banff Centre with the above mentioned license.
Some travel assistance will be provided for travel per finalist project.
One room suitable for two people will be provided for two nights for the primary applicant invited to pitch their project.
Winners will be announced at the end of the pitch event on November 7, 2026.
The pitch must be presented in English.
CONDITIONS
- If the Entrant is selected by the jury as an award winner, the Entrant will be required to enter into a formal agreement with Banff Centre before any funds are released. The agreement between the Entrant and Banff Centre will further articulate these prize conditions, and in the event of a conflict between these terms and the final agreement, the final agreement will take precedence.
- Grand prize will be provided in installments as the project progresses: $15,000 upon winning the pitch competition; $5,000 on completion of principal photography; $5,000 on submission of the final report and completion of the project
- If the Entrant is selected as the winner: Banff Centre will have the option to show the world premiere of the final film at the next Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, following the film’s completion. The Entrant will acknowledge Banff Centre for financial support wherever possible in the film’s credits and every public mention in relation to the film in electronic, print, audio and visual medium.
- Submit a final report and accurate project expenses at project completion.
- Any unused/surplus funding must be returned to Banff Centre.
- Unissued funding will be forfeited if the project proposed cannot be completed.
ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity welcomes applications from people with disabilities, blind or low vision and people who have barriers accessing technology. In exercising our commitment to providing equal access to our resources, applicants who require support with their application can email banffmountainfestival@banffcentre.ca.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas at the Centre to apply.
INDEMNITY
The Entrant agrees to indemnify Banff Centre and it's successors, assigns, licensees, and officers, directors, members, agents and employees and hold them harmless from and against any and all claims, liability, losses, damages, costs, expenses (including reasonable legal fees) and penalties arising out of, resulting from, based upon or incurred because of a breach by the Entrant of any statement, representation or warranty made by the Entrant in this application.
GRANT OF RIGHTS AND WAIVER
(A) By entering the pitch competition, the Entrant represents and warrants that: The Entrant owns all right, title and interest, including the copyright and all intellectual property rights, in and to the film project being submitted to BanffPitch, including, but not limited to, the project proposal video.
(B) No material in the film or project proposal video being submitted by the Entrant to BanffPitch is libelous or is slanderous or defamatory or violates any right of privacy or publicity of any person, and the full use of the rights in such works will not violate any rights, including copyright or moral rights, of any person, firm or corporation.
