Canadian and international artists are invited to apply with a short movement based film to the eighth annual F-O-R-M (Festival Of Recorded Movement) in November 2023.

F-O-R-M presents films that investigate the body in motion through curiosity, experimentation, and imagination. We are interested in films that creatively explore our personal lived experiences and how such themes can be told through narrative or experimental approaches. Cinematography, experimental and DIY (Do It Yourself) editing styles/approaches, and post-production effects are also considerations that contribute and add layers to the subject matter. We invite proposals to consider the interplay between the camera and the movement, regardless of the form.

F-O-R-M strongly encourages and prioritizes applications from Youth artists, and those from intersectional and traditionally marginalized communities; Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, folks with disabilities, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions (LGBTQ2S+).

Our 2023 festival will continue to offer a hybrid of in-person events in Vancouver and online programming. The festival will be responsive to government guidelines surrounding COVID-19. Our priority is to create events that are safe for festival artists and the broader community.

This year, we have four different categories to apply to that reflect a specific theme in your film:

- Is this Movement?
- Access First
- Street Dance
- Recorded Movement

This new approach invites artists who have not historically connected with F-O-R-M, and supports our curiosities to broaden the scope and possibilities of recorded movement.

We understand that films aren’t one dimensional and are not limited to the category you choose. Select the best category at your discretion, and we encourage you to add your thoughts and comments in the final question of the submission form to expand on your choice.

Click here to learn more about the categories: https://www.f-o-r-m.ca/short-film-submissions-2023

If you have any questions about our application process please e-mail Associate Artistic Director Tamar Tabori at info@f-o-r-m.ca

If selected, artists will receive a minimum screening fee of $250 CAD as well as free admission to all festival screenings and events.

All those applying to F-O-R-M’s Short Film programs must agree to the rules and regulations below.

Individuals and groups (“Applicant”) submitting short films to F-O-R-M for consideration and possible showing must possess all necessary rights and permissions for all video and audio tracks submitted to F-O-R-M. F-O-R-M is not responsible for clearing, publishing, performance or other rights for the short films it screens or promotes on its site or at the festival.

Any lead artist(s) younger than 18 years old at the time of the submission deadline must send a letter to F-O-R-M written by a legal guardian (e.g. parent) in order to apply to the festival. This letter must include the guardian’s contact information. Due to legal requirements we cannot accept applications by people younger than 18 years old without consent from their legal representatives.

All successful applicants grant F-O-R-M the non-exclusive rights to reproduce the applicant’s video in whole or in part and to showcase the short film for the purposes of the festival and/or its promotion (until December 31, 2028).

F-O-R-M retains the right to alter, shorten or cancel the festival, and will not be held liable for compensation in any of these situations. F-O-R-M agrees that in the event of festival cancellation, all rights related to the selected submission will revert to the Applicant and where relevant, the Applicant's associates.

All applicants, by submitting to F-O-R-M, hereby allow F-O-R-M to preview the short film. By agreeing to these rules and regulations all applicants pledge that they hold the rights to this film and have the right to distribute this material to F-O-R-M. All applicants understand that once submitted, their entry cannot be withdrawn. They understand that although F-O-R-M will take every precaution, F-O-R-M cannot be held responsible for loss or damage of submission materials. If accepted, F-O-R-M reserves the right to keep all short films filed for F-O-R-M educational and archival purposes. If accepted, lead artists expressly grant F-O-R-M the royalty-free, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license to exhibit their short film or video and to use, reproduce, publish, translate, and exhibit any and all publicity materials related to the film, including but not limited to stills, press releases, bios, and trailers, in whole or in part, without limitation to territory, and/or to include said publicity materials with other works in any form, media, or technology. F-O-R-M agrees not to claim these rights in relation to submissions that are not selected for the festival.

All applicants agree to hold F-O-R-M, its management, employees and volunteers, as well as any of its funders, sponsors and affiliated entities, harmless from any damages or losses relating to any materials applicants may submit.

Successful Applicants may not have another public screening of their short film in Metro Vancouver between October 2023 and the Festival of Recorded Movement (November 2023) without express permission from the Artistic Director of F-O-R-M.

Successful applicants will be required to submit a high quality, screen-ready, digital version of their film to F-O-R-M (i.e. the short film must be at least 1080 pixels high, and in MPEG, MOV, AVI, or MP4 format). Failure to submit a video meeting the minimum technical quality requirements by August 11 (Short Films), 2023 may result in elimination from the festival.

No refunds will be issued once the application fee has been paid.

Last updated February 15th, 2023

Overall Rating
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  • Dustin Chok

    Incredible festival!
    So well curated and hosted, F-O-R-M festival instantly makes you feel like part of the community. Truly unique!

    December 2023
  • Hadi Moussally

    I am very proud to be part of this festival, with it's selection & communication. Thank you for that and congrats for all the work you have done.

    December 2023
  • Being part of F-O-R-M was such an enjoyable experience. Most events took place online due to the pandemic but the festival organizers were very welcoming and took care of everything and everyone so well that you'd feel as if you were there in person. Not only is F-O-R-M a great platform to showcase your film (or watch other eye-opening films ), but it's also a space wherein they shed light onto the people involved in creating these wonderful works, especially through their Artist Talkbacks. Congrats to the entire F-O-R-M team for putting this up!

    October 2021
  • Unfortunately I couldn't attend. But it seemed to be an extraordinary event. Sophia and the entire team have been so easy to communicate with. And I loved the postcard we received to thank us for being part of the festival. This festival is definitely great support for new and established independent film makers!
    Thank you to all the festival team!

    October 2018
  • Sveinung Gjessing

    N-I-C-E film festival! Promotes dance on screen in a superb way!

    September 2018