We are thrilled to announce the inaugural F4 - Fable Forest Film Festival, an exciting new event brought to you by Fable Forest Films and hosted by Kitchener Comic Con.

We are introducing a fresh format of short film festival to the region, and we are very excited to try it out. Are you one of the filmmakers? There's no real need to show up on the evening of November 2nd, the night of the showcase. We will work with you to tell the audience who you are, what your message is, and how they can follow you. Leave the seats in the theatre to the people who will become your future audience.

You definitely want to show up the next day! On Sunday, November 3rd, we will have a live panel with the filmmakers and invite the public back to meet, greet, and speak with your teams!

The unique nature of our festival is that it plays at Kitchener Comic Con, which attracts thousands of attendees each year. While we can screen your short film once for a crowd of approximately 50 people, we will also have a booth with your film posters visible to the many passersby, providing additional exposure.

This collaboration aims to bring a new level of entertainment to the region's biggest fandom showcase, celebrating the creativity and talent of students, emerging filmmakers, and seasoned filmmaking professionals.

As we embark on this journey for the first time, our mission is to shine a spotlight on the incredible local talent within the Region of Waterloo (Tri-Cities) while also welcoming participants from beyond our community. This festival aims to provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and engage with the vibrant community that makes our region so unique.

Join us as we celebrate the next generation of storytellers and support the growth of our local film industry.

Awards & Prizes

Proceeds from Festival Submissions and any funds / prizes gathered by donation (corporate/at the festival) or audience entry fees to the festival will be put towards awards and prizes for the winning filmmakers and added to the overall Fable Forest Film Fund which helps student filmmakers with financing for their projects each year.

Rules & Terms

### 2024 - Fable Forest Film Festival (F4): Rules and Terms ###

**Eligibility:**
1. **Open to Students, Emerging Filmmakers, and Professionals**: The festival is open to filmmakers at various stages in their careers, including students, emerging filmmakers, and seasoned professionals.
2. **Local Emphasis**: While we strongly encourage submissions from the Waterloo Region (Tri-Cities), entries from outside the region are also welcome.

**Submission Guidelines:**
1. **Film Length**: For this year, the festival is accepting short films only at a maximum length of 20 minutes (title card and credits included), this may change in future years as we expand.
2. **Film Category**: This year F4 is a genre based short film festival. Though we will review and select from all film styles, we will be giving preferential treatment to horror / sci-fi / fantasy & thriller shorts.
3. **Submission Format**: All films must be submitted in a digital format. Accepted formats include MP4 and MOV files.
4. **Language**: Films must be in English or have English subtitles.
5. **Screening Rights**: By submitting a film, the filmmaker grants Fable Forest Films and the Kitchener Comic Con the right to screen the film during the festival and use clips or stills for promotional purposes in perpetuity.

**Selection Process:**
1. **Judging Panel**: Films will be reviewed and selected by a panel of judges comprising industry professionals, academics, and festival organizers.
2. **Selection Notification**: Filmmakers whose works are selected for the festival will be notified via email. Selected films will also be listed on our official website.

**Screening and Awards:**
1. **Screening Schedule**: Selected films will be screened at Kitchener Comic Con during the festival. The schedule will be posted on the festival’s website.
2. **Awards**: Awards will be given in various categories such as Best Short Film, and Audience Choice Award. (Subject to change as this is the first year and we don't know what films we will receive via submissions)

**General Terms:**
1. **Travel and Accommodation**: Filmmakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.
2. **Promotion**: By submitting a film, the filmmaker agrees to allow the festival to use their name, film title, and promotional materials for marketing purposes.
3. **Liability Release**:
3a. Filmmakers are responsible for addressing any issues arising from the use of copyrighted material in their films, including music, images, and footage.
3b. By submitting a film, the filmmaker acknowledges that Fable Forest Films and Kitchener Comic Con are not responsible for any legal issues or disputes related to the unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
3c. The filmmaker agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Fable Forest Films and Kitchener Comic Con, along with their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents, from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and court costs) arising from or in connection with the use of copyrighted material in the submitted films.
4. **Code of Conduct**: All participants are expected to adhere to the festival’s code of conduct, which promotes respect, inclusivity, and professionalism.
The full Code of Conduct can be found @ https://www.thefableforest.com/festival/coc

4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Desiree Van De Laar

    The first inaugural Fable Forest Film Festival was quite small, but it was well organized and well attended. The organizers were great and communicated well. The selection shows that they are very supportive of students and local filmmakers, though a few international shorts were played as well. We were honored to be chosen Best Horror!

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Majid Asadi

    Great Festival. Good communication. Very Friendly and supportive. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend in person but was very honoured to receive the awards for best in show for our short film Brother's Horn.

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Joseph Palmer

    Great festival. I had an awesome time!

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Taite Koehler

    Fable Forest Film Festival was such a neat festival to be a part of! The screenings were well-attended and the organizers were so friendly and welcoming. Thanks for a great festival experience!

    November 2024
    Helpful