Grand River Film Festival

Celebrating and inspiring community through the shared experience of film, the Grand River Film Festival (GRFF) hosts both an annual festival and year-round film programs dedicated to bringing bold, reflective and inspiring films to Waterloo Region (Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo).

The festival hosts local, Canadian, and international films, pairing screenings with panels consisting of directors, film professionals, local interest groups and notable guest speakers. GRFF recognizes the power of film to connect people and is thrilled to act as a vehicle for the community to build relationships and host meaningful conversations within the Waterloo Region.

The annual Grand River Film Festival will run May 9-14 2023. GRFF '23 - our 15th festival - will be fully in-person for the first time since 2019. GRFF will be showing feature films and shorts during this week, and welcome submissions for consideration of both.

ELIGIBILITY FOR FEATURE FILM CATEGORIES

- Selection will be based on quality and form
- Films must be in English or in the original language with English subtitles
- Duration: must be more than 30 minutes
- Entries previously submitted and not accepted may not be resubmitted
- Submissions must be making their Waterloo Region premiere at the festival and must be deemed a new release by the programming committee

ELIGIBILITY FOR SHORT FILM CATEGORIES

- Selection will be based on quality and form
- Films must be in English or in the original language with English subtitles
- Duration: must be less than 30 minutes including credits
- Entries previously submitted and not accepted may not be resubmitted
- Submissions must be making their Waterloo Region premiere at the festival and must be deemed a new release by the programming committee

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Aidan Lesser

Treated all filmmakers with respect and overall well-organized. Great selection of both international and domestic films.

May 2022

Helpful
Mark Anthony Ramitt

This is the 2nd year that I had my films selected for screening. For the 2022 season, I had the great pleasure of having one of my short narrative films screened in-person at the Apollo cinema in downtown Kitchener. What a thrill to watch my film on the big screen in front of an appreciative audience! Also had the opportunity to meet and chat - and take photos - with festival programming chair, Michael Clark in the theater lobby. I will definitely submit my next film to the 15th season!

May 2022

Helpful
Kirsten Brass

It was an honour to be part of Grand River's 'Coming of Age' Shorts Program this year! What a fantastic array of films and a well-organized festival.

May 2021

Helpful
Alec Carlos

Great line up selections and were very easy to communicate with! Honored to have my film selected.

May 2021

Helpful
Joe Chang

Wonderful film festival and thank you very much for choosing my film.

May 2021

Helpful

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Dates & Deadlines

September 5, 2022
Opening Date
December 1, 2022
Regular Deadline
January 1, 2023
Late Deadline
March 31, 2023
Notification Date
May 9 – 14, 2023
Event Date

Categories & Fees

International Feature film
GRFF showcases several feature films each year at it's main festival. GRFF accepts films that have not had a wide release theatrically or virtually. For the main festival, our primary focus is on narrative features, but documentaries will be considered. We accept films from across the world, with a focus on films by/featuring women, persons of colour, and marginalized voices. SPECIAL PROGRAMMING NOTE: This year, due to a partnership with the Hospice of Waterloo Region, we are looking to choose one film on the subject of death and dying. Said film would ideally have a positive message to impart on this theme.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
International Short Film
GRFF showcases several short films each year at it's main festival. GRFF accepts films that have not had a wide release theatrically or virtually. We accept short films from all over the globe, though a preference is given to films by/featuring women, persons of colour, and marginalized voices.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $10
Local Feature Film
GRFF celebrates and champions local filmmakers from the area surrounding the Grand River in Ontario - including the communities of Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, and Brantford. Local films have no submission fee. GRFF accepts films that have not had a wide release theatrically or virtually. For the main festival, our primary focus is on narrative features, but documentaries will be considered (if you are a member of DOC, please contact program@grff.ca before submitting your film). SPECIAL PROGRAMMING NOTE: This year, due to a partnership with the Hospice of Waterloo Region, we are looking to choose one film on the subject of death and dying. Said film would ideally have a positive message to impart on this theme.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: Free
- Late Deadline
- Standard: Free
Local Short Film
GRFF celebrates and champions local filmmakers from the area surrounding the Grand River in Ontario - including the communities of Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, and Brantford. Local films have no submission fee. GRFF accepts films that have not had a wide release theatrically or virtually. For the main festival, our primary focus is on narrative shorts, but documentaries will be considered (if you are a member of DOC, please contact program@grff.ca before submitting your film). SPECIAL PROGRAMMING NOTE: This year, due to a partnership with the Hospice of Waterloo Region, we are looking to choose one film on the subject of death and dying. Said film would ideally have a positive message to impart on this theme.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: Free
- Late Deadline
- Standard: Free
Canadian Feature Film
GRFF showcases several feature films each year at it's main festival. GRFF accepts films that have not had a wide release theatrically or virtually. For the main festival, our primary focus is on narrative features, but documentaries will be considered (if you are a member of DOC, please contact program@grff.ca before submitting your film). We offer this discounted submission price to Canadian filmmakers, and have a particular interest in films by/featuring women, persons of colour, and marginalized voices within Canada. SPECIAL PROGRAMMING NOTE: This year, due to a partnership with the Hospice of Waterloo Region, we are looking to choose one film on the subject of death and dying. Said film would ideally have a positive message to impart on this theme.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Student: $5
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Student: $5
Canadian Short Film
GRFF showcases several short films each year at it's main festival. GRFF accepts films that have not had a wide release theatrically or virtually. For the main festival, our primary focus is on narrative shorts, but documentaries will be considered (if you are a member of DOC, please contact program@grff.ca before submitting your film). We offer this discounted submission price to Canadian filmmakers, and have a particular interest in films by/featuring women, persons of colour, and marginalized voices within Canada.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
Indigenous Feature Film
GRFF celebrates the works of Indigenous filmmakers across Turtle Island. Films by Indigenous artists have no submission fee. GRFF accepts films that have not had a wide release theatrically or virtually. For the main festival, our primary focus is on narrative features, but documentaries will be considered.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: Free
- Late Deadline
- Standard: Free
Indigenous Short Film
GRFF celebrates the works of Indigenous filmmakers across Turtle Island. Films by Indigenous artists have no submission fee. GRFF accepts films that have not had a wide release theatrically or virtually. For the main festival, our primary focus is on narrative shorts, but documentaries will be considered.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: Free
- Late Deadline
- Standard: Free

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Aidan Lesser

Mark Anthony Ramitt

Kirsten Brass

Alec Carlos

Joe Chang