Empowering emerging filmmakers of all ages. Hosting two nights per year, we celebrate short films, interview filmmakers and create connections in Calgary's film community. Our mission is to showcase talent, foster collaboration, and celebrate original storytelling, making Calgary a hub for new filmmaking voices. We strive To Inspire, To Connect, and To Create.

The addition of a pre-show information session by an industry professional will add industry-specific value to purchasers

Emerging filmmakers are individuals who have a strong creative vision for their films and who have independently funded, produced, and edited films that have not been accepted to the film festival circuit. Their passion and dedication shine through in their work, they are creative risk-takers with a handful of years of experience who are creating by any means necessary.

Submissions are accepted from towns and municipalities within the Calgary Metropolitan region including, but not limited to, Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere, High River, Okotoks, Strathmore, and Tsuu T’ina 145.

Two Showcases will take place per year in October and April.

SUBMISSION PACKAGES

Grassroots Package - $15 Incl. Screening Fee + Q&A

Homegrown Package - $30 Incl. Screening Fee + Q&A + Review of your submitted film by an industry professional to provide feedback based on criteria + One Free Sampler

Homegrown+ Package - $60 Incl. Screening Fee + QA + Admission to a 1-hour industry information session by an industry professional + Review of your submitted film by an industry professional to provide feedback based on criteria + One Free Sampler

Note: All submissions fees are non-refundable.

If you are currently in a situation prevents you from paying the full cost of the submission fee, please email community@wearehomegrown.ca to discuss a reduced rate.

Awards & Prizes

People's Choice

Rules & Terms

1. Submission Deadline
Submissions must be received by the specified deadline.

2. Film Length
We are a showcase for short films, films should not exceed 20 minutes in length, including credits.

3. Genre
We welcome films of various genres, including but not limited to drama, comedy, documentary, animation, and experimental.

4. Premiere Status
Films may be new, previously screened, or available online. Premiere status is not a requirement.

5. Multiple Submissions
Filmmakers may submit multiple films, but each requires a separate entry and submission fee. If selected, your films will debut on different nights of the showcase.

6. Language
Non-English language films must have English subtitles unless it can be justified for artistic reasons.

7. Rights and Permissions
Filmmakers are responsible for securing all necessary rights and permissions for music, images, and content used in their films.

8. Copyright
Filmmakers retain full rights to their work. By submitting, you grant the showcase permission to screen your film. You also grant the showcase permission to use images, promotional material, or portions of the film to market and promote the event before screening.

9. Originality
Submissions must be the original work of the filmmaker or have proper permissions if using third-party content.

10. Format
Maximum Video: 4k (Preferred 1920x1080), Apple ProRes 422HQ
Maximum Audio: 16-bit

11. Selection Process
Our programming team will review all submissions, and selected films will be part of our showcase. We value the time and effort it takes to submit for our festival and we will reach out to everyone who submits whether you have been selected or not.

12. Withdrawal
If a filmmaker wishes to withdraw their submission, they must notify us in writing within 30 days of receiving their letter of selection.

13. Disqualification
We reserve the right to disqualify any submission that violates copyright or other legal regulations, pornographic or sexually explicit films, or any films that promote hate speech, or derogatory or overtly controversial topics for the sake of perpetuation any harmful causes.

14. Technical Issues
In case of technical issues during the screening, we will make every effort to resolve them but are not liable for any incapability to show a film.

15. Rule Changes
We reserve the right to modify submission rules and terms, and any changes will be communicated to all filmmakers.