The Charles Taylor Theatre and Media Arts Association is a not for profit cultural association that produces The Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival. The mandate of the Charles Taylor Theatre and Media Arts Association is to educate, empower and inspire by honouring the influence of African Canadian and other cultural filmmakers and to bring recognition to their work. To acknowledge the educational power of video, media arts and theatre that is rich in wonder, honest compassion and wisdom. To present the unique work of our cultural filmmakers and to create a larger appreciation for their cultural stories. To be a training ground for our youth storytellers, filmmakers and performers.

The Emerging Lens Independent Cultural Film Festival runs 4 days in mid April each year. Every night the screenings begin with a cultural performance as it is important for us to culturally locate what we do within our community by shaping our festival within our own culture. This is then followed with the screening of the films, an in-depth question and answer session with the filmmakers with the audience and lastly a networking reception with the filmmakers.

Our theme is "Through Our Eyes". We chose this theme for several reasons as we believe every year we come together for the festival, creates greater opportunities and possibilities for our filmmakers and artisans in this medium to tell their stories through their eyes.

*****Canada Screen Awards Eligible Festival***

Awards & Prizes

Youth Inspiration Award
Inspirational Griot (Story teller in Swahili) Award
Emerging Lens Festival Fav
Best Music Video
Best Short Film
Best Animation
Best Feature Length
Audience Choice Awards

We also conduct a Pitch Session where the winner gets a membership to produce their next digital work through one of our partners, Centre for Art Tapes

Rules & Terms

Films should be submitted on DVD or digital media file. We accept submissions via mail and email

Films must be 1 min to 20 mins in length

Films must reflect the African Canadian / Nova Scotian / Multicultural experience or be created by a African Canadian / Nova Scotian / Multicultural filmmaker

Films being sent should be clearly labeled on the package: "NO COMMERCIAL VALUE - CULTURAL PURPOSES ONLY".

Awards and Official Selections are based on overall merits of the films and are at the sole discretion of the jury and programming committee.

DVDs and entry materials will not be returned, please send copies.

Entries should be clearly labeled with the entrant's contact information and project's running time.

Works in progress are accepted.

More than one entry may be submitted. Each must be submitted separately.

Filmmaker will assume shipping costs of material and print to The Emerging Lens Film Festival.

ELFF reserves the right to make any necessary changes in event scheduling or programming.

The selection committee' and jury's decisions are final.

Please do not send press kits with your entry. We will contact you should we need press materials after your film is selected.

Entrants agree to indemnify and hold us, including our volunteers, our directors, and our sponsors and affiliates harmless against all claims arising out of entry or participation in The Emerging Lens Film Festival.

All responses by ELFF will be made by email.

Official Selections will be contacted approximately one month prior to the festival.

By submitting your film to The Emerging Lens Film Festival you agree that you have read, understood, and agree to all the aforementioned festival rules and guidelines.
29 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • An Nuo

    I had an incredible experience in this festival, very friendly and very nice communication. I can feel that this festival try to help to promote my project. I do appreciated the concerned that. I wish this festival can keep working and go far. The best wish for you.

    May 2021
    Helpful
  • Mo OConnell

    Very friendly festival. High standard of films selected.

    May 2021
    Helpful
  • Danish Ali

    Festival that's give you hope and a perfect value to the work

    October 2020
    Helpful
  • B. Suresh Kumar

    This is my first experience with ELCFF and it turned out to be a best experience. I am proud to say that my short film SCHOOL BELL got Audience Choice Award in this prestigious festival. I thank the festival Organisers, jury and above all the wonder audience who chose my film.as their choice of awrd. As the name itself says Emerging Lens Cultural, it deserves a roaring applause the way it is conducted. Hats off ELCFF 🙌🎥🎬🎞️🎤✍️👁️

    October 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Mr. Kumar, you are so very welcome. Your award was so well deserved. Please continue shooting and keep up the great short works!!!

  • Hilda Afrakoma

    Wonderful festival! Due to Covid I couldn't attend, however, my shorts film 1st KINGS won Audience Choice! Thank you Emerging Lens!

    October 2020
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    Response from festival:

    So very welcome! And well deserved, your short film was fabulous! Good luck with the feature length and future of the short film!