Forks Film Festival by Woodenball Studios champions small-town stories, youthful imagination, and first-time filmmakers through education, community, and the shared experience of cinema — inviting creators big and small to grab a fork, dig in, and take a seat at the table where creativity can grow.

The festival itself may take place over three days in late September (Sep 25–27), but we are active all year long.

In the spring, we launch our First-Time Filmmaker course on our YouTube channel — a free, practical starting point for anyone who’s ever wanted to make a film but wasn’t sure where to begin. It’s all about lowering the barrier to entry and helping new voices take that first step.

Throughout the summer, we host youth filmmaking workshops, guiding young creators from idea to finished film. The completed projects receive their Global Premiere at the festival, screened alongside work from emerging and established filmmakers.

The festival culminates in a three-day screening event in the heart of Grand Forks, hosted at the Historic Gem Theatre. Expect thoughtful conversations, a handmade photo booth, and a carefully curated lineup of short films celebrating the creativity, care, and courage it takes to put a story on screen.

And yes — there are awards. From First-Time Filmmaker and Best Direction to the festival’s top honour, the Grand Fork Prize. It is, quite literally, a giant fork. And while it may look playful, it carries a few surprises of its own.

Awards & Prizes

Documentary (Screening 1)
- Best Documentary
- First Time Documentary Filmmaker Award
- Audience Choice Award

Youth Films (Screening 2)
- Best Youth Film
- First Time Youth Filmmaker Award
- Audience Choice Youth Film

Short Films (Screening 3)
- Best Short
- Audience Choice Short Film
- First Time Filmmaker Award
- Best Direction (All Films Eligible)
- Best Screenplay (All Films Eligible)
- Best Cinematography (All Films Eligible)
- Best Editing (All Films Eligible)
- Special Mention (All Films Eligible)
- The Grand Fork (Best Overall Film)

Rules & Terms

Rules & Eligibility Requirements:

1. Only filmmakers residing in British Columbia are eligible to submit. (Ensure that your Production Location on your FilmFreeway Project is set to British Columbia, Canada. If the location is only set to Canada, FilmFreeway will not accept the submission.)

2. We accept Short Documentary, Short Youth, and Narrative Short films.

3. To enter the Youth Film category, filmmakers must be 17 years of age or younger at the time of production.

4. All films must have a runtime of no less than 3 minutes and no more than 13 minutes, including credits.

5. Forks Film Festival is a family-friendly event. All films must adhere to PG-13 content guidelines. Final content eligibility is determined by the festival programming team.
PG-13 Guidelines Include:

- Language: Infrequent use of mild to moderate profanity; no repeated or aggressive strong language

- Violence: Non-graphic violence without gore or prolonged suffering

- Sexual Content: Non-explicit references, brief romantic situations, or mild innuendo (no nudity or sexual activity)

- Substance Use: Limited references to alcohol or tobacco; non-glorified, non-instructional references to drug use

- Thematic Elements: Mature themes such as grief, identity, or mental health, handled with care and age-appropriate context

- Fear & Intensity: Mild to moderate suspense or frightening moments that are not sustained or graphic

6. Filmmakers retain all rights and ownership of their work. This includes, but is not limited to, music, images, likenesses, and permissions to include individuals and locations. Forks Film Festival assumes no responsibility for copyright infringement, falsified information, or legal disputes related to submitted films.

7. Films must have been completed in 2025 or 2026.

8. Films must not have had a public theatrical or online release prior to the festival.
What is still allowed:
- Private or educational screenings, including:
- School screenings
- Classroom presentations
- Community or family screenings
- Festival screenings at other events, provided the film has not been made publicly available online
- Password-protected online links used for submissions, grants, or juried review
- Clips, trailers, or stills shared on social media for promotional purposes

What is not allowed:
- Public uploads of the full film on platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, Instagram
- Commercial or monetized online releases

9. All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway.

10. Forks Film Festival reserves the right to accept or decline any submission at its discretion.

11. If selected, filmmakers must sign a screening agreement granting Forks Film Festival permission to program and screen the film. For Youth Film selections, a parent or legal guardian must also sign the agreement.

Youth Film Submission FAQ:

Who can submit a Youth Film?
Youth Films must be made by filmmakers 17 years of age or younger at the time of production. Collaborative projects are welcome, but the primary creative leads (director or writer) must meet the age requirement.

Can adults help with the film?
Yes. Adults may assist in mentorship, supervision, or technical support. However, the creative vision and decision-making must remain youth-led.

Do parents need to be involved?
Yes. If a Youth Film is selected, a parent or legal guardian must sign the screening agreement and any required consent forms before the film can be programmed. A Parent does not need to be involved in the production of the film

Can my child submit more than one film?
Yes, but each film requires a separate submission and submission fee (if applicable). If multiple films are accepted, programming will be at the festival’s discretion.

Are school projects eligible?
Yes! School projects are welcome as long as all rights and permissions are cleared and the film meets runtime and content guidelines.

What rating does my child’s film need to meet?
All Youth Films must adhere to the festival’s PG-13 content guidelines. Films dealing with mature topics are allowed when handled thoughtfully and age-appropriately.

Can the film be funny, weird, or experimental?
Absolutely. Forks Film Festival celebrates creativity in all its forms — comedy, animation, experimental work, and unconventional storytelling are encouraged.

Will youth films be screened separately?
Yes. Youth Films will be programmed in a dedicated Youth Films screening block.

What happens if a youth film is not selected?
All submissions are reviewed with care. Due to programming limitations, not all films can be selected. Submission fees are non-refundable.