The Canadian Independent Film Festival (CIFF) is an independent festival born in Canada, the land of diversity.

The vision of the CIFF is to establish Montreal as a center for local and international filmmakers to share global perspectives as well as independent thoughts to a large audience through film.

The mission of the CIFF is to promote independent film culture and encourage its development along side with empowering minorities.

No Premiere Status is required.

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Films:

- Canadian Fiction
- International Fiction
- Canadian Doc
- International Doc

Best Short Films:

- Canadian Fiction
- International Fiction
- Canadian Doc
- International Doc

-Animation
-Script

- Photography Contest

- Best Actor/Actress
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Secondary Actor/Actress
- Best Script
- Best Sound

Rules & Terms

I have read, understood and complied with all eligibility requirements of the categories for which I would like this film to be considered and to the best of my knowledge, all of the statements in this document are true.

a- This film is not subject to litigation nor is threatened by any litigation.

b- I am duly authorized to submit this film to the Festival and its Competition and understand that the Festival holds the right to screen my film for Festival screening and promotional purposes and to extract clips from this film for promotional purposes. I understand this may include online streaming of clips on Festival or Festival sponsor sites.

c. In the event the designated party is unable to attend the awards ceremony, I understand that the director and/or producer of the film as listed in the credits of the film shall accept any and all awards in their stead.

d. If selected as a participant in the Festival, television ready media clips of the film must be provided by the date provided on notice of selection if requested.

e. If selected as a participant I will deliver the film in format requested by deadline set at time of acceptance (Full Resolution file).

f. This film will not be available online publicly during the dates of the film festival.

g. Kindly, have prepared in advance a vimeo link, posters and screenshots from your movie.

h. We do NOT offer accommodation, flight tickets, hotel rooms or any kind of financial assistance.
34 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Catherine Turmel

    Thank you to the CIFF, especially to Raja Hanna the amazing host and all the organizers, Dineta Williams, Gauthier Raad & John Trigg! It was a great pleasure to be part of your selection and having our film shown in Montreal for the first time! Very honoured by the award Best Actress!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your review! We genuinely appreciate your feedback.

  • Joy Sculnick

    This is a tremendous festival. I am so glad that I participated in the screenwriting competition. It was a really positive and inspirational experience. And I so enjoyed watching the films of many emerging film makers. I also appreciated the time that Dineta spent with me. Her feedback was extremely helpful.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your review! We genuinely appreciate your feedback.

  • Moira Simpson

    It's an honour that our film, The Lady Architect, was screened in Montreal at the Canadian Independent Film Festival - CIFF.
    We so wish we could have been there. What a wonderful festival, and we admire that it is volunteer-driven. Thank you for your excellent work.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your review!

  • Jen Romnes

    As soon as I arrived at CIFF, Danita and Gauthier were so friendly and welcoming. It’s clear that they love and are dedicated to promoting filmmakers and their films. I thought that CIFF in Montreal excelled in giving filmmakers the opportunity to talk about their work at length with interviews and panels. This was the first film festival where I was able to speak face-to-face with the judges about my script, and that was a really great experience for me.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your review! We genuinely appreciate your feedback.

  • Vahid Fazel

    Thank you for selecting my short animation film The Burden.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your review!