The International Black & Diversity Film Festival – IBDFF is an independent film festival and part of the Black Actors & Film Guild Canada registered as a Canadian not-for-profit association established to give a platform to Black Actors, Writers, Artists, and Filmmakers while celebrating cultural diversity through inclusion, bringing independent films and filmmakers from around the globe to showcase their work here in Toronto, Canada every year! Showcasing Black Cinema through diversity that Toronto as a multicultural city is known for.
IBDFF main focus is to promote Films made by Blacks, or by other race with Black Actors in key roles, or films that showcase Black realities from across the Globe, IBDFF is also open to the inclusion of independent films that can be seen and appreciated by those interested to learn about other cultures hence promoting a blend of cultural diversity through film. By so doing we would achieve our objectives of promoting Black Films to a diverse audience and filmmakers in attendance.
Our inclusion of other nonblack filmmakers (Independent Filmmakers) through cultural diversity, is one way of educating other nonblack filmmakers of the need to understand the Black culture in general, while at the same time educate Black filmmakers about other cultures and the need for inclusion of others regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, and other barriers that filmmakers face no matter where they are from.
Live Movie Screening:
There will be a Live Screening of Official Selected Movies at The York Cinema Richmond Hill, Albion Cinema, North York, Toronto Public Library Auditoriums. There Screening at our Gala Party in Toronto.
In addition to screening movies live, the IBDFF festival will be more personal and hands-on as we will be having workshops, panels of discussion on different issues that will be beneficial to Actors, Screenwriters, Filmmakers, and other stakeholders alike. We will showcase and screen videos that relate to black history and educate our audience of historical black figures, Black Icon, and other Black-related matters, which includes current Black Role-models’ filmmakers within our communities doing outstanding things. This is our way of educating, promoting, and celebrating amazing films made by Black filmmakers.
The idea behind the IBDF Festival event is that it is a combination of a year’s worth of community-building through several smaller events that enhance and educates the audiences with unique cinematic and cultural opportunities, resulting in the community-wide film festival.
Films are selected from entries screened by panels of judges selecting the best of the best films for award consideration. IBDFF is a festival that prides itself in showcasing independent films that celebrates the brilliance of Black filmmaking, from emerging and established filmmakers, yet celebrating the diversity in filmmaking through the inclusion of films from around the Globe, Canada, and locally here in Toronto, connecting filmmakers and the community in one place.
At the IBDFF annual event every year in late Spring, we will be having a host of the events that include Screening of Movies selected by our screening panels live at the York Cinema Richmond Hill, Albion Cinema, North York, and other screening venues, Fashion shows, Local Artist Performing Live, and awarding Filmmakers with actual Trophy Awards presented to filmmakers!
Official (Jury) Prizes:
Black Film Categories:
Best Narrative Feature - By A Black Filmmaker
Best Documentary Feature - By A Black Filmmaker
Best Short Narrative - By A Black Filmmaker
Best Short Documentary - By A Black Filmmaker
Best First Feature Narrative - By A Black Filmmaker
Best Web series - By A Black Filmmaker
Best Music Video - By A Black Filmmaker
International Film Categories:
Best Narrative Feature - International Film Category
Best Documentary Feature - International Film Category
Best Short Narrative - International Film Category
Best Short Documentary- International Film Category
Best Director - First Feature Narrative
Best Web series - International Film Category
Best Music Video - International Film Category
Best Movie Trailer / Teasers (5minutes Max) – All Category
Best Movie Posters – All Category
Audience Favorites
Programmers' Awards
Festival Director Awards
Achievement Awards