Rules & Regulations
1. Eligibility
CIFF is open to filmmakers from Canada and all other countries worldwide.
Films must be primarily comedic in nature. Hybrid genres (comedy-drama, comedy-horror, satire, dark comedy, etc.) are eligible if comedy is a dominant element.
All films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2020.
There is no premiere requirement. Films may have been screened online, at other festivals, or released publicly.
2. Categories
CIFF accepts submissions in the following categories:
Short Comedy Film
Feature Comedy Film
Comedy Web Series / Episodes
Animated Comedy
Student Comedy Film
Experimental / Satirical Comedy
Stand-Up Comedy Film or Special
Category placement is at the discretion of the festival programmers.
3. Runtime
Short films: up to 30 minutes
Feature films: 60 minutes or longer
Web series episodes: up to 30 minutes per episode
There is no minimum runtime.
4. Language & Subtitles
Films in any language are accepted.
All non-English films must include English subtitles.
Subtitles must be clearly readable and properly synced.
5. Submission Format
All submissions must be made online via FilmFreeway.
Preview screeners must be provided as:
Secure online screener (Vimeo, FilmFreeway embedded, etc.)
If selected, filmmakers may be required to deliver:
High-resolution digital file (ProRes / H.264 / H.265)
Additional materials (poster, stills, trailer, credits)
6. Selection & Judging
Films are reviewed by the CIFF selection committee and jury.
Judging criteria include:
Originality
Comedic impact
Storytelling
Performances
Direction and overall execution
All decisions made by the jury and festival programmers are final.
7. Screening & Awards
CIFF is a hybrid festival (online and/or physical screenings, depending on the edition).
Selected films may be screened:
Online on the festival platform
At live screenings or special events
Official selections are eligible for CIFF awards and laurels.
8. Rights & Permissions
By submitting to CIFF, the filmmaker confirms that:
They own or control all rights to the submitted film.
All music, images, and third-party materials are properly licensed.
CIFF bears no responsibility for copyright disputes.
9. Promotional Use
CIFF reserves the right to use:
Film stills
Trailers
Excerpts (up to 60 seconds)
for promotional, marketing, and archival purposes related to the festival.
10. Fees & Refunds
Submission fees are non-refundable.
Fees do not guarantee selection.
Submission deadlines and fees vary by submission period.
11. Withdrawal & Disqualification
CIFF reserves the right to disqualify films that:
Are found to violate copyright laws
Contain hateful, abusive, or explicitly illegal content
Misrepresent authorship or production details
Films may be withdrawn by the submitter before official selection is announced.
12. Amendments
CIFF reserves the right to update or modify these rules at any time without prior notice.
13. Acceptance of Rules
Submission to CIFF implies full acceptance of all rules and regulations listed above.
