The Blood in the Snow Film Festival (BITS) was first created in 2012 with a mandate to highlight the best in contemporary genre filmmaking in Canada.

The 2026 Blood in the Snow Film Festival will take place in-person in Toronto in November 16 to 21, 2026. The theatre is just steps away from the Museum station (across from the ROM) and the theatre is fully wheelchair accessible. The theatre seats 500 combined on the floor and balcony and is outfitted with a Christie IMB 2200 Digital Cinema projector.

Blood in the Snow has the reputation of being a "filmmaker’s festival". There are activities all week long allowing filmmakers to network with other filmmakers and other important industry contacts. Filmmaker activities include industry panels, VIP industry cocktail socials and after parties every night of the festival.

Blood in the Snow is generously funded in part by Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates and the Independent Production Fund. The Blood in the Snow Film Festival is also on the eligibility list of festivals for the Canadian Screen Awards.

Blood in the Snow works to attract extensive press coverage. Past coverage has included reviews, interviews and profiles by outlets such as CP24, Sirius XM, The Star, NOW Magazine, Newstalk 1010 and Rue Morgue Magazine.

All selected directors will receive a Filmmaker Pass that will get you into all of the in-person screenings at the festival for free.

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes
We give out a series of awards called "The Bloodies" given out during the festival:

- Best Feature
- Best Short
- Best Lead Acting Performance in a feature
- Best Lead Acting Performance in a short film
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Special FX
- Best Music Score
- Best Sound Design

Rules & Terms

Toronto Premiere status is required for feature films and short films. Previous local cast and crew screenings in Toronto can possibility disqualify you as well. You as the lead filmmaker(s) is required to attend the festival and promote your screening, if selected. We take your film playing Blood in the Snow seriously and we expect you to as well.
Any questions about eligibility, please email info@bloodinthesnow.ca before submitting.

Must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or Indigenous persons currently residing in Canada for our regular categories. We focus on Canadian filmmakers but we are now open to Canadian / international co-production films as well. Please read the submission requirements carefully BEFORE submitting.

By Canadian we mean that:
- the film has a Canadian director (permanent residence or citizen) and;
- must be shot in Canada AND/OR have a predominately Canadian crew.

The International category are for international films that are co-productions with a Canadian company
and/or
- The main crew (Director/Producer) is a Canadian working abroad.
and/or
- The main actor(s) is a Canadian working abroad.

*IMPORTANT: For the Co-Production category, please follow up with an email to us (info@bloodinthesnow.ca) and let us know what aspect of the film is Canadian.

For the web series category, please submit one episode that you think best represents your series. We don't need a premiere status for the web series category and can be available online.

BITS HORROR DEVELOPMENT LAB SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Please submit one polished, completed short film or pilot. The film example doesn't have to be a proof of concept and can be a film that shows your best work. Music videos and documentaries are discouraged for this category.
2. Please include applicant biography (director, writer and/or producer)
3. Upload (under Files & Attachments) a maximum 3 page proposal (or pitch book) describing the project. Please include a story description, bios of the team attached, a general budget summary and anything else you'd like to tell us about the project.
4. Our budget template (available at www.deadlyexposure.ca)
5. DO NOT submit any scripts.

If you have any questions about our requirements, please email us at info@bloodinthesnow.ca to check first before submitting.

By applying to BITS you have agreed to the terms listed above and that there are no submission fee refunds.
101 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Transfigure Films

    As a filmmaker, I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to present our newest Transfigure Films creation to such a passionate audience of genre and horror fans in Toronto. Festivals like Blood in the Snow play an important role in supporting independent genre cinema and giving filmmakers a platform to share their work with audiences who genuinely love dark and imaginative storytelling.

    Seeing people experience the film on the big screen — hearing the reactions, the tension in the room, and the conversations afterward — is exactly why we make these films.

    A huge thank you to the festival team!

    March 2026
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  • Dawn Wells

    Blood in the Snow was very supportive and professional. Although I wasn’t able to attend in person due to scheduling conflicts at the time, the communication from the festival team was excellent, and I felt supported as a filmmaker. It’s obvious that Blood in the Snow cares about Canadian genre filmmakers and works hard to create a strong, filmmaker-friendly environment. I would definitely submit again and recommend the festival to other filmmakers.

    January 2026
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  • Tammy Heisel

    We had a great time screening our film, 'Behind the Castle Doors: The Origin of the Hilarious House of Frightenstein' at BITS. An incredible festival full of incredible people. Everyone involved was very friendly and helpful. We had a great response and packed the theatre just the way we hoped. They gave us plenty of space to use for our props/display, which we loved seeing all over social media. The theatre itself is gorgeous, and the location is great. Coming home to Toronto was a real treat and the festival was a great way for us to wrap 2025. Thank you Kelly Michael Stewart and your entire team for selecting our film. We couldn't be happier with everything!

    January 2026
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  • Pageman Production

    I have been to many festivals as an independent producer and this one truly cares. They care about their programming, their partners, indie filmmakers and their guests. Not only did I have an incredible screening but I also built an amazing network through this festival. It is the kind of experience that pushes me to keep going and keep creating, a real testament to their passion and dedication.

    November 2025
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  • Kim Barr

    The BITS Development Lab was one of the best industry support programs I've ever attended. I am honoured to have been selected. The talent, projects, connections, atmosphere, accesss was invaluable. Everything was well done. Kelly and the team were welcoming and helpful. I can't recommend this festival and lab enough.

    November 2025
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