The Canadian Diversity Film Festival is the premiere festival to celebrate diversity in Toronto, Canada. Our event will take place in Downtown Toronto, on June 28th-30th, 2019 during the long weekend of Canada Day.

The Canadian Diversity Film Festival is a hallmark event that celebrates our incredible diversity. Our aim is to bring diverse communities together to embrace our differences and discover our shared experiences. It is a focus through which filmmakers promote, challenge, and develop an understanding of equality, social justice, non-discrimination, diversity, and multiculturalism.

We accept all genres of films from all over the world. We create an opportunity for filmmakers to get their films judged and let them compete with other filmmakers. We perform a comprehensive evaluation process and select only high-quality films.

Awards & Prizes

We only award the best independent filmmakers after a comprehensive evaluation process. Our judges evaluate the quality of filmmaking, creativity, and storytelling ability.

All official selection will screen at the event and winners will be chosen at the event.

Winners receive laurel, trophy, and complimentary travel certificate for 3 nights (USA) OR 5 nights (Mexico).

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms:
- All films must have been made in or after 2013.
- Entries must be in English or subtitled in English.
- Work in progress is accepted.
- Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker.
- Our entries do not compete against each other.
- Entree fees are non-refundable.
- Short films must be under 30 minutes and features should be 40 mins and over.
- Each film has to be submitted to at least one genre, then they qualify for additional categories. Films entered in multiple categories may win multiple awards.
- Online screeners and posters must be uploaded to FilmFreeway’s site.
- CDFF does not download your film or make it available online.
- Student films need to upload their ID on the submission page.

60 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Gerard Flores

    Great communication and amazing staff! They are super helpful! Highly recommended!

    July 2018
    Helpful
  • Jason Wessel

    A fantastic festival with critical themes. Exploring Canada's diversity through filmmaking is relevant and important. The CDFF gives voices from different cultures a platform to share their stories which is vital in today's filmmaking world. It was a pleasure to be a part of it all and it was an honour for our screenplay 'RIEL' to have won Best Dramatic Screenplay. The hosts are an amazing and dedicated group who will undoubtedly see their festival grow in stature through the coming years. An absolute gem of an experience.

    July 2018
    Helpful
  • Marianna Moneymaker

    Response, good feedback, and networking unknown because I couldn't attend event.

    July 2018
    Helpful
  • Janet Hetherington

    Great event, location and venue. Films were shown in a theatre-style environment on a big screen. Amazing to see so many diverse voices represented. Greatly honoured to have my feature script BLACK GOOSE awarded Best Screenplay in 2018.

    July 2018
    Helpful
  • Fernando Rivera

    I was not able to attend, but communication and professionalism was outstanding. This was my first film and second international win (Best Horror/Thriller Short), and I am very happy for being allowed the opportunity to showcase my talent. After being an actor for 10 years, it's nice to have been able to apply my experience in front of the camera, to behind the camera, and even better to know there's an audience like the Canadian Diversity Film Festival to give first time filmmakers like myself a platform. Many thanks, and I will be returning next year.

    **My ONE complaint is that CDFF isn't able to furnish trophies, but l also understand the concept of a budget, lol. I'll just have to keep competing in and promoting the festival until that changes!

    July 2018
    Helpful
    Logo22222222
    Response from festival:

    Dear Fernando, thank you for the honest feedback. We are planning to add trophies for next year event. Hope to see you next season.