ELIGIBILITY
The City of Edmonton Film Prize recognizes artists (directors and/or producers), based on a single film, video or online work that has had a first broadcast or public exhibition in the relevant 12 months (calendar year) prior to the deadline (January 19, 2026). In this context, an eligible film can be a narrative, documentary, or experimental project, including one-offs, series, mini-series, features or shorts, of any length, where creative control rests with the artist.
Entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway by 3 PM MST by JANUARY 19, 2026.
Entries may be submitted by filmmakers, producers, or any interested parties (please review ineligibility requirements for nominees). Entries must include the following:
1. Completed profile in the Edmonton Arts Council online portal: eac.smartsimple.ca.
2. Brief biography of the nominee.
3. Concise 30-word description of the film.
4. Detailed synopsis of the film (maximum 200 words).
5. One-page statement outlining the artistic and technical excellence in the film, including the nominee's connection to the work, if relevant.
6. Uploaded film to FilmFreeway, with accurate password provided (if needed).
7. Nominee's full name, phone number, address, email address, and production company (if applicable).
8. Date and location of the first public screening (note: screenings for family and friends are considered private).
GREATER EDMONTON AREA
The prize recognizes artists that are 18+ and regularly reside in Edmonton and its immediate surrounding counties and Indigenous communities, commonly called the "Greater Edmonton Region". The greater Edmonton region / amiskwaciywaskâhikan is defined as the City of Edmonton, the Counties of Sturgeon, Parkland, Leduc and Strathcona, and the communities of Enoch Cree Nation, Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation.
INELIGIBLE
The prize is not intended for commercials, PSAs, corporate/industrial videos or promotional works, including music videos. Not eligible are engineers, executives, or any other technical or support personnel.
JURY REGULATIONS
Submissions will be judged by an independent jury of filmmakers, presenters, broadcasters, and/or members of the film community recruited by AMPIA. In all cases, the jury’s decision is final. Assessors will be charged with basing their decisions on the artwork’s merits, including originality, creativity, relevance, and technical excellence. In all cases, the prizes will attempt to recognize the highest standards of artistic achievement, regardless of the artist’s particular mode of expression, or style within the genre. In the case of equivalent merits, the assessors will be encouraged to consider the work in the context of the (in order):
Artist’s career;
Relevant tradition(s), and arts practice in Canada;
Representation of the demographic diversity of Edmonton’s population;
Representation of the diversity of artistic expression or styles within the discipline.
Click below to learn more about the Edmonton Arts Prizes:
https://www.edmontonarts.ca/about/projects/edmonton-arts-prizes
