Edmonton's iconic International Festival of Winter Cinema (IFWC) returns to celebrate local and international winter, mountain, and polar cinema on our giant snow screen! With a focus on films featuring Indigenous perspectives, winter life, snow (of course!), and our changing climate, we are the world's only free outdoor all-winter film festival that pays screening fees.

Our SIXTH season will showcase short and feature films in conjunction with our programming partner, SilverSkate Festival, Edmonton's festival for winter sports, arts and culture, and recreation for the whole family. After a day at Silver Skate, join us, heated by blankets, hot chocolate or coffee, and fires, to watch the best in recent and classic local, Canadian, and international winter shorts and feature films.

We will continue to offer preferential programming of local films, including those that don't necessarily include winter themes.

IFWC 6 will include new and returning programming in compliance with local public health regulations.

The IFWC is supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Cultural Human Resources Council, Edmonton Arts Council, Edmonton Screen Industries Office, Silver Skate Festival, Town Square Brewing, Winter City Edmonton, YEGFilm, and many others.

**COVID-19 DISCLAIMER**
The IFWC still aims to produce a 2023 festival. However, if it is cancelled due to COVID-19, submission fees will not be refunded and all submitted films will automatically be placed in competition for the 2024 film festival.

Awards & Prizes

The Golden Snowflake - Best Winter Film
The Crimson Snowflake - Best Canadian Film
The Sapphire Snowflake - Best Edmonton Film

Rules & Terms

1. Except for Edmonton-made films, all films must be relevant to at least one of the theme(s) of the festival in order to be considered as a possible candidate. The theme(s) of the festival are Winter, climate change, alpine, polar, and Indigenous perspectives.

2. All participants understand that their selected work may be shown at least once during the International Festival of Winter Cinema and any other related event.

3. The IFWC welcomes all entries, but specifically encourages films made by Edmonton, low income, LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC or differently abled filmmakers.

4. All non-English films with dialogue must have English subtitles.

5. All artist fees will be paid by PayPal or Interac e-transfer to the submitter within 90 days after the festival. The IFWC reserves the right to amend its screening fees rates and payment schedule at any time.

6. The IFWC reserves the right to remove selected films from its program for any reason and at any time.

7. The IFWC shall not be held responsible for any audiovisual materials that are damaged as part of the submission or exhibition process.

8. IFWC will only accept digital screener submissions and exhibition copies.

9. By submitting your film, you agree to the IFWC using all audiovisual media associated with your film and your press kit for promotional purposes in perpetuity.

10. The IFWC reviews all submissions but shall not be held responsible for any incomplete submissions, including those that affect final decisions. For all technical issues related to your submission please contact filmfreeway.com.

11. The IFWC encourages filmmakers to attend the Festival in an environmentally sustainable manner and does not pay for travel costs. Non-Edmonton filmmakers are encouraged to prioritize investing their resources into developing their local arts and culture scene over long-distance travel.

12. Filmmakers of any age may submit to the festival. Filmmakers under 18 years of age whose films are selected may be asked to provide parental/guardian consent for selected activities.

13. Upon submitting a film, the applicant agrees it holds all rights to distribute and exhibit all intellectual property associated with their submission.

14. The International Festival of Winter Cinema Society is the administrator of the International Festival of Winter Cinema and reserves the right to amend any rules and terms at any time and for any reason.

15. By submitting a film, the applicant acknowledges that they have read and agreed to the above terms.

**COVID-19 DISCLAIMER**
The IFWC still aims to produce a 2023 festival. However, if it is cancelled due to COVID-19, submission fees will not be refunded and all submitted films will automatically be placed in competition for the 2024 film festival.
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Daisuke Kurata

    I am honored to be selected for the festival. I'm happy that my ski movie was shown in the snow! It feels great as a winter film festival.

    February 2022
    Helpful
  • Marcel F

    Cold but enjoyable. Very interesting to watch my video play on the snow screen. I showed up 3 times, but each time it was cold, but I managed to stay an hour each time. I know my short film, Spirit Mother, took on the 215 dead children found in Kamloops, with some spiritual and religious overtones. It the speaker system was great. I when I heard my short film, which was a music video, I was shocked on how good it sounded. The girl's and their dad from Argentina did such good job on singing and creating music to my lyrics. I just had to finish the music video with a couple musical additions. I was happy to be at Hawrelak Park to watch this event. I enjoyed a few other films. I wish everyone all the best from the videos, be well, live well.

    February 2022
    Helpful
  • Lutz P. Kayser

    It was a great experience to be part of this festival with my short film. A good program and good communication. Even, the first festival under 49 festvial participations worldwide I got payed a screening fee by IFWC, thats unique! Thank you very much!

    April 2021
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  • Anthony Goertz

    IFWC was a wonderful experience. I can't wait until I can attend again, post-COVID. The organizers did a great job accommodating guests safely and exhibiting the films with excellent sound outdoors (a rarity for outdoor festivals!). I'll definitely be returning. :)

    April 2021
    Helpful
  • Jason Kuchar

    Great festival! Communication was friendly, everyone seemed pretty organized and on top of things, and the location / dates were great for the overall atmosphere; go see some films and check out the ice castle, sculptures, skating and other stuff. Would submit to again!

    March 2020
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