Calgary Independent Film Festival

At the Calgary Independent Film Festival (CIFF), we believe cinema is an act of courage — and every story, no matter how small or unconventional, deserves a stage. As stewards of creativity and protectors of artistic integrity, we ask all creators to review and respect the following terms of entry.

By submitting your work, you agree to the spirit and structure of this festival — a digital haven for filmmakers and screenwriters worldwide.

🌎 Eligibility & Submission Guidelines
CIFF is open to filmmakers and writers from every corner of the globe. We welcome diversity in form, theme, and perspective.

All films and screenplays must be original works owned by the submitting party or submitted with full permission from rights holders.

Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway. We do not accept physical copies or submissions via email.

Multiple entries are allowed. Each entry must be submitted individually with its own submission fee.

Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles. Screenplays must be submitted in English.

All genres, formats, and themes are welcome — we embrace the bold, the strange, the poetic, and the unfiltered.

📅 Festival Format
CIFF is an online-only film festival. There are no physical screenings or in-person events.

Participation does not require travel or attendance — your art speaks for itself.

🏆 Selection & Awards
All submissions are reviewed by a team of passionate curators, industry professionals, and fellow artists.

Official Selections will be notified via email through FilmFreeway.

Award winners will be announced at the end of the festival and will receive official digital laurels and certificates.

The jury reserves the right to reassign categories if it better serves the integrity of the work.

CIFF may offer honorable mentions or special jury prizes at its discretion.

💡 Rights & Usage
By submitting, you grant CIFF the non-exclusive right to use short excerpts (under 60 seconds), stills, and promotional materials for marketing and festival promotion.

All rights to the film or screenplay remain with the creator.

Selected films will not be publicly streamed unless filmmakers opt in. We deeply respect your privacy and distribution strategy.

⚠️ General Terms
Submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of selection status.

CIFF does not offer fee waivers at this time — we aim to keep our entry fees as affordable as possible to honor every artist’s labor.

The decisions of the festival team and jury are final and made with the utmost respect for artistic merit.

🎨 Final Note to the Artist
This is not just a festival. It is a tribute to the restless hearts who film in the shadows, write into the silence, and craft without permission. If you’ve ever made something with passion and uncertainty — this space was created for you.

We can't wait to experience what you've made