Welcome to the Kitchener-Waterloo International Film Festival (KWIFF), a dynamic celebration of cinema that crosses boundaries and cultures to bring people together through film. The Canadian Screen Award-qualifying film festival (TINFF) and Quoracles Digital Inc. present KWIFF. The goal of KWIFF is to enrich, inspire, and promote filmmakers, artists, and audiences.

KWIFF's goal is to serve as a festival with live screening that meets the needs of current filmmakers while also motivating aspiring filmmakers. KWIFF, a diverse festival in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, will host multiple life movie screenings with Q&A sessions each year, as well as workshop training, conferences, round table talks, and keynote speakers aimed at promoting independent filmmakers in the Kitchener-Waterloo region across Canada and internationally.

Our Mission
At KWIFF, our mission is clear: to have as many live diverse movie screenings, spotlight emerging talents, provoke thought, and foster dialogue through the medium of film. Through our carefully crafted programs, workshops, and discussions, we aim to cultivate a community that values creativity, diversity, and the transformative potential of storytelling.

A Showcase of Diversity
Diversity is at the heart of KWIFF. From thought-provoking documentaries to captivating narratives, from experimental shorts to groundbreaking animations, KWIFF offers something for every cinephile, ensuring an inclusive and immersive experience for all. The selection of films during our live movie screenings will feature a variety of multicultural presences, showcasing diversity and inclusivity.

Engaging Experiences
Beyond the live screenings, KWIFF offers a dynamic array of events designed to engage, educate, and entertain. Our workshops provide aspiring filmmakers with valuable insights and practical skills, while panel discussions and Q&A sessions offer opportunities for dialogue and exchange. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a curious enthusiast, there’s always something new to discover at KWIFF.

Celebrating Community
KWIFF is more than just a film festival—it’s a celebration of community. We are proud to collaborate with local businesses, organizations, and artists to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. Through our partnerships and outreach initiatives, we aim to amplify voices, support emerging talents, and nurture a vibrant arts scene in the Kitchener-Waterloo region and beyond.
Join Us

We invite you to join us on this cinematic journey—to explore, to connect, and to be inspired. Whether you’re a filmmaker, a film lover, or simply someone who believes in the transformative power of storytelling, KWIFF welcomes you with open arms. Together, let’s celebrate the magic of cinema and the boundless possibilities of the human imagination at the Kitchener-Waterloo International Film Festival (KWIFF).

Following the announcement and notification of the officially selected Films, we will go on to the next stage of the selection process and announce the KWIFF Festival Finalists who will compete at the live festival event in Toronto. The names of all finalists will be published on the KWIFF festival website and social media Platforms.

KWIFF is a music and film festival with an awards ceremony that honors and fosters filmmakers by recognizing, promoting, challenging, and building knowledge of equality, social justice, non-discrimination, diversity, and multiculturalism.

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes

TROPHY STATUE / AWARD CERTIFICATES

Best Project and The KWIFF Audience Choice Award

We award the best independent filmmakers after a comprehensive evaluation process. All official selections and finalists get LAURELS. Finalist will have an opportunity to contest again at a combination of audience and judges voting for a TROPHY at various categories and a DISTRIBUTION OFFER which is optional to you.

If accepted, your film could be screened either live (in-person), in a digital format (online), or both. Since the COVID-19 pandemic experience, KWIFF have followed the path of other experience festival to have a mix of Live + in-person screening and Festival Programs are in Hybrid form. KWIFF reserves the right to modify the delivery of its festival programming based on its own policies, government rules and regulations related to the pandemic or other reasons. At this time, our festival is planned as a hybrid event, with both digital and in-person live screenings.

In addition, all entries are eligible for an award from the list below. Optional, a certificate suitable for mounting and display will be given to the winners of each category. Winners of our annual KWIFF - Festival will receive an engraved Kitchener-Waterloo International Film Festival (KWIFF). Audience Favorite Trophy.

Best Feature Film
Best Feature Film (International)
Best Feature Film Caribbean
Best Feature Film (Canada)
Best LGBT Feature Film - NEW
Best LGBT Short Film -NEW
Best Short Film
Best Music Video
Best Trailer
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Director
Best Producer
Best Web Series
Best Horror
Best Thriller/Action
Best Comedy
Best Animated Film
Best Sci-Fi
Best Student Film
Best Documentary
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Visual Effects
Best Original Music Score
Best in Show
Best Costume
Best Art Director
Best Music - Non-Visual (Audio Only Category)
Best Reality Shows
Best vBlog -- NEW
Best Gospel Video
Best Female Filmmaker (Producer / Director)

SCREENPLAY:
Screenplay under 30 pages
Screenplay under 60 pages
Screenplay under 120 pages

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms
Rules & Regulations:

The competition is open to all! This includes films from Canada, USA and international entries. Please check individual categories and submit suitable categories to your project.

Hybrid Screening & Programs
KWIFF’s programs will be delivered in a hybrid form allowing us to better serve our audience. Each year KWIFF’s Official Selection projects will be screened online and in person subject to screening slot/facility availability.
• Feature films (75 minutes and more), medium-length films (45 to 74 minutes), and short
films (45 minutes or less)
• All Entries with or without distribution deals are welcome.
• All Entries selected into the festival programs agree to have their project participate in KWIFF’s Hybrid screening programs which include Online and In-person programs and activities.
• Films previously entered and screened at our festival are eligible for one additional re-entry in subsequent years.
• Entries must be submitted for pre-screening through our online submission platform. If you use a secured link, you are REQUIRED to keep us updated with passwords.
• Works in progress are accepted. We cannot promise that we will be able to watch re-edited submissions. Please only submit works in progress if submitting close to the final deadline.
• You grant the KWIFF festival a limited license to screen your film(s) at any of its yearly calendar festival events in addition to during the festival itself by allowing the festival to download your films through the festival FilmFreeway submission download system or by sending a hard copy or a downloadable version of your film, digital content, or screenplay. By submitting your work, you consent to the festival using still photos and brief video clips to promote the festival. Credit shall be given to any filmmaker or screenwriter whose work appears in festival promotional materials. The owner of the copyright retains all rights to the original work.
• You may submit multiple entries but must pay an entry fee for each.
• If the movie has nudity or sex. The movie should have a strong storyline; however, we are strictly not accepting any movies about porn, or animal cruelty.
To submit a Film for Festival consideration, Applicants must complete the registration process at the online submission platform and pay the required fee by the deadlines. Submissions must be postmarked or online submitted via the submission platform. Submitted DVDs must contain one version only of the Film, in the original language of production, with English subtitles if the original language is not English.
• DVDs must be labelled in the following manner: Title. Production company name, phone number, and address. Director’s name. Length in minutes and submission platform tracking number.
• Where the applicant chooses to forward a DVD instead of an online screener, the Applicant is responsible for ensuring that the submitted DVD screener plays in its entirety on an industry-standard DVD player. If KWIFF is unable to view the DVD, KWIFF is under no obligation to contact the Applicant to obtain a replacement DVD.
• TINFF will not review multiple versions of a submitted Film. Only one version of the Film may be submitted. If multiple versions are submitted, KWIFF will view only the version that was received first.
• Note! DVD screeners will not be returned.
All Films must be sent by way of prepaid shipping. KWIFF will not accept cash-on-delivery shipments or be responsible for duties, taxes or customs brokerage.

Charges are to be billed to the sender. KWIFF is not responsible for and will not accept shipments incurring expenses for terminal charges, duties, taxes or customs brokerage.
Shipping and customs charges are to be billed to the sender. Any shipping charges incurred by KWIFF will be billed back to the Applicant.