We're Back!

We thought we were done, but we realized we're just getting started. After retiring the fest in 2022, we now know it's time to return. And we're bringing it back to where it started, the Registry Theatre in Downtown Kitchener, Ontario. Canada, y'all.

Turns out the world needs more Deep Cut Film action, and when the world calls, we answer (eventually). Long live indie film! Long live local culture!

July 20, 2024. Save the date.

This festival is the film equivalent of the deep cut on your fav record. That amazing track that never makes the airwaves, but to you and yours, out rocks the single.

So we want you to dig deep. We want to screen the cinema from the edge, the fringe frames that need to be seen and shared. We want your awesome films.

We're looking for ALL genres (yes, horror too), as well as works that don't easily fit in to any specific box. We'll have different blocks of films, and depending on what we receive will determine the categories.

But here's what we're envisioning, film blocks under the themes of:
Action
Thrillers
Comedy
Home movies
Road movies
Cheese movies
Drama
Documentaries

Yes, the categories are wide, but a deep cut doesn't limit itself to one genre. Show us what you've got, we can't wait to watch. We love indies, and we love keeping things weird. We love to watch.

Some general guidelines:

NO features. Send those to Sundance.
Keep it tight. If you're film reveals a brilliant philosophy, let's get to it.
Easy on the credits. A two-minute film doesn't need three minutes of credits. Make a festival cut.
No 'poetic' films composed of long takes of flowing / waving water.
Yes, we like weird, but keep it together. No bees stinging d**ks, please. Keep our souls intact.

Entertain us. Entertain your audience. People want to think, yes, and they want to be entertained, too. No boring films, please.

That's about it (there are more rules below, mostly technical), so have fun and we'd love to have you in the fest!

Awards & Prizes

This is a juried festival and winners will receive the Deep Cut Award for various categories.

Rules & Terms

Rules and Terms:

We will accept films from any country, however, if they are not in English, please subtitle or dub them.
If your film is accepted, we only screen digital files. Thanks for understanding.
There is no "film made by" date. If it's good, we want to see it, regardless if it was produced in 2016, '96, or '76.

We do not accept films of any length that are currently available for public viewing on YouTube, Vimeo, or any other online streaming service.

We'll accept submissions that have been previously screened elsewhere.

For those submitting, you must be authorized to submit the film, and hold the rights to the film. Any violations of copyright will not be tolerated.

Submitting your film does not guarantee a spot in the Deep Cut Film Festival lineup. However, we will get back to everyone who does submit to let them know the outcome of our decision.

If your film is accepted, you will gladly send us some digital promo material, and let us use this material to promote your film as part of our festival lineup.

We only accept digital screeners, via FilmFreeway. That is all.

We will not accept works in progress. All entry fees paid are non-refundable. Please be sure to submit under the correct category.

Upon submission, the Deep Cut Film Festival is granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless the Deep Cut Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
Thank you for taking the time to read these rules.

37 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Amelia Mitchell

    Huge thanks to Deep Cut for including my film "Stay Here," it means the world to me! I couldn't attend due to the distance, but I've kept up with the festival online, and the amount of care and passion put into the festival by David Briggs and his team is astounding. Communication was also great! What a cool festival with a diverse variety of films. I'm making it my goal to attend in the future!

    July 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Amelia! Everyone really enjoyed "Stay Here," it was so well done, and had great vibe. And it would be great to see you out someday, and if we're heading West, we'll let you know!

    Thanks again!

  • Tom Achilles

    I was truly honored to have 'Gone' premiere at the Deep Cut Film Festival. The organizers were incredibly welcoming and brought an amazing energy and enthusiasm to the festival's curation process.

    It was fantastic to see such diverse representation from around the globe, with a wide range of film genres and shorts on display.

    Overall, it was an outstanding festival. I highly recommend it to any filmmaker.

    July 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Tom! What kind words ... we'll be sure to refer to this on a rainy day! 'Gone' is a very cool film, and we're sure it will see many more festivals. Keep up the great work, and thanks for sharing your movie with us!

  • Don Hessell & Alan LaFave

    The Deep Cut Film Festival will forever be near & dear to our hearts due to the amazing experience from the moment we arrived, until we had to return home. The 4 hour drive to Kitchener, ON from Bay City, MI was completely worth it, and we look forward to returning regardless if we have a film in the festival.

    What makes the Deep Cut Film Festival amazing? First off the programming is fantastic. The films selected for the festival may have all been different, but they fit together perfectly as each story explores characters & subjects on the fringe. This is where the good stuff happens, and filmmakers can submit stories that aren't often told. Exactly as promised........they're the deep tracks of the film festival circuit, and to find these diamonds in the rough for an audience who is hungry for it is very impressive. The films alone would be enough to satisfy any audience, but David takes things a step further by putting time & energy into creating fascinating & engaging interludes between films that add to the cohesive flow of the line-up, make each film special by giving context & background, and take the audience on a great ride. We cannot emphasize enough how unique and amazing this is for both the film-goers and filmmakers. It's the kind of care that every festival should take, and we're grateful to the dedication involved to pull this off every year.

    In addition to the great fest run by wonderful people, the Deep Cut Film Festival screens films at the The Registry Theatre in Kitchener, ON, and it's really a special space with great sound & the perfect overall vibe for a fest. The town has plenty of great restaurants too, as well as an awesome park to explore while in town.

    We can't wait to get back to Deep Cut Film Festival! Hopefully this fest will continue on and on for years to come. It's a gem.

    Cheers,
    Don & Alan

    July 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks guys! We really appreciate the kind words, and it means so much coming from you two, as you know your festivals! For those who don't know, these two produce the Hell's Half Mile Film and Music Festival in Bay City ... check this festival out!

    And thanks to you and yours for making the trip to the fest from Bay City. It was so great to have you all there, and it meant a lot that you would make such a trip to visit. You made out 'cinematic resurrection' all the better!

    Thanks for your support, and congrats on Shannon is Strange ... I hope so many more people will have the chance to watch this great film.

    We'll be in touch!

  • Jenna Harder

    Deep Cut is truly a labour of love and will always have a special place in my heart. I first attended as an actor and it was a thrill to be back as a filmmaker. David is a peach and genuinely loves films. The marketing materials are so cool and the programming was thoughtful and entertaining. So many great films! Deep Cut is small but mighty and is definitely worth attending and submitting. Thank you so much for including The Breakup! We will be back 🫶

    July 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Jenna! It was such a treat to see you there, and we appreciate you making the trek! The Breakup is such a great film, and I'm sure it will grace many more screens on its festival run.

    Can't wait to see what's next!

  • Jim Zounis

    Thank you again "Deep Cut Film Festival" for selecting our Short to participate in this wonderful event.

    July 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Jim! It was a pleasure screening this one, and I think you're film scared a few people as well. A win for all involved!