Loon International Film Festival (LOONIFF)

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
September 29- October 3, 2026

The Loon International Film Festival — LOONIFF is now accepting submissions for its second edition, taking place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, from September 29- October 3, 2026.

For its second edition, LOONIFF expands its program to include both short films and feature films, with a central focus on Nature, Peace, and Animal Rights.

LOONIFF is more than a film festival. It is a cinematic platform dedicated to discovering bold, original, and emerging voices from around the world. The festival celebrates films that inspire, challenge conventions, cross borders, and connect cultures through the power of cinema.

Committed to creativity without limits, LOONIFF welcomes narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental works that carry artistic vision, emotional truth, and a distinctive cinematic voice.

The festival aims to provide emerging filmmakers with international visibility while creating a meaningful experience for audiences, artists, and industry professionals alike.

More than an event, LOONIFF is a launchpad — where passion becomes recognition, and emerging filmmakers become unforgettable.

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Why “Loon”?

The loon, an iconic bird of Canada, is known for its hauntingly poetic call echoing across lakes and forests. It has become a timeless symbol of tranquillity, purity, and the deep connection between humanity, nature, and animals.

By choosing the loon as its symbol, LOONIFF embraces a message of peace, respect, compassion, and harmony — values that form the soul of the festival.

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Festival Theme

Nature. Peace. Animal Rights.

LOONIFF 2026 is dedicated to films that reflect, question, or connect with the spirit of nature, peace, animal rights, compassion, equality, kindness, and the relationship between human beings and the living world.

Films do not need to be directly about these themes to be considered. However, works that carry emotional, ethical, social, environmental, or humanistic depth are strongly encouraged.

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Competition Section

For its second edition, LOONIFF will present an international competition program with a special spotlight on Canadian cinema.

Films from around the world are welcome. Priority consideration will be given to films with strong premiere status, including:

World Premieres
North American Premieres
Canadian Premieres

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Categories

LOONIFF 2026 accepts submissions in the following categories:

Short Films: Films under 30 minutes, including credits.

Feature Films: Films 70 minutes or longer.

Accepted genres include:

Narrative
Documentary
Animation
Experimental

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes

LOONIFF awards are designed to recognize artistic achievement, original voices, and meaningful cinematic storytelling.

* Short Film Awards:

1. Best Film
2. Audience Choice Award

* Feature Film Awards:

1. Best Film
2. Best Actor
3. Best Actress
4. Best Screenplay
5. Audience Choice Award

Rules & Terms

Rules & Eligibility

1. Films from all countries are welcome.
2. Films in languages other than English or French must include English subtitles.
3. Films may have screened at other festivals or private industry events.
4. World, North American and Canadian Premieres are strongly preferred and may receive priority consideration.
5. The submitter must own or control all rights necessary to submit the film and authorize its festival screening.
6. LOONIFF reserves the right to determine the final eligibility, category placement, and screening status of all selected films.

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Submission Details

Opening Date: June 03, 2026

Final Deadline: August 30, 2026

Jury Review: August 31, 2026

Selection Notification: September 4, 2026

Festival Dates: September 29 - October 3, 2026

Festival Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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Submission Fees

* Short Films:

Canada: $3.69
International: $4.69

* Feature Films:

Canada: $5.69
International: $6.69

* Student Discount

Film students worldwide are eligible for up to 50% discount upon verification.

Applicants requesting a student discount may be asked to provide valid proof of current enrolment.

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Screening & Selection Process

All submissions will be reviewed by the LOONIFF Selection Committee.

Selected films will be notified by email and may be announced through LOONIFF’s official website, social media platforms, and promotional materials.

Films with premiere status may receive priority placement, additional promotional visibility, and special mention in the festival campaign.

Final programming decisions are made by LOONIFF and are based on artistic quality, originality, thematic relevance, cinematic vision, and overall festival programming needs.

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Audience Engagement

LOONIFF is committed to creating an interactive and meaningful festival experience.

Selected films may be included in audience engagement activities, including audience voting, post-screening interaction, festival rating systems, promotional features, and official LOONIFF audience-based recognition.

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Venue

LOONIFF 2026 will take place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Final venue details, screening schedules, and location announcements will be shared through LOONIFF’s official website, FilmFreeway page, and social media platforms.

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Rights & Permissions

Filmmakers retain full ownership and copyright of their films.

By submitting to LOONIFF, the submitter grants the festival permission to screen the selected film during the festival and to use submitted materials for promotional, press, archival, and festival-related purposes.

These materials may include:

Film stills
Posters
Trailers
Clips or excerpts
Director/producer information
Cast and crew information
Submitted press materials

Promotional use may appear on LOONIFF’s website, social media platforms, festival trailer, catalogue, press releases, screening programs, and related festival communications.

LOONIFF will not sell, transfer, or commercially distribute submitted films outside the festival context without written permission from the rights holder.

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Important Notes

1. Submission does not guarantee selection.

2. All fees are non-refundable.

3. Selected filmmakers are responsible for ensuring that all submitted information, files, subtitles, posters, trailers, and promotional materials are accurate and cleared for festival use.

4. LOONIFF may request additional materials from selected films for the catalogue, screening, press, subtitle, technical, or promotional purposes.

___________________________ See You in Ottawa ___________________________

LOONIFF 2026 invites filmmakers from Canada and around the world to share their stories, visions, and cinematic voices with audiences in Ottawa.

LOONIFF 2026
Where new voices become global.
2 Reviews
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  • sajjad rafiei

    I would like to thank you for your beautiful festival, but I think my film could have been among the selected ones. Maybe the judges' tastes were not the same as my film, but in any case, I am very happy to receive the certificate of appreciation from the Lone Festival. It would be great if they sent me the text of the certificate of appreciation in the form of a statue or an electronic tablet. Thank you.

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Sajjad, for your kind words and for being part of LOONIFF. We truly appreciate your film, your participation, and your thoughtful feedback. While not every submitted film can be selected, we are grateful for your support and happy that the certificate of appreciation was meaningful to you. We will consider your suggestion for future editions and hope to see more of your work again.

  • Marziye Feyli

    I’m truly glad that my film was selected for LOONIFF this year. It was such a valuable and inspiring experience for me. My sincere thanks to the professional LOONIFF team for organizing such a remarkable festival and creating this great opportunity for filmmakers.

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Marziye, for your beautiful words and for being part of LOONIFF. We are truly happy to hear that your experience with the festival was valuable and inspiring. It was an honor to have your film selected, and we deeply appreciate your trust, support, and kind feedback. We look forward to following your future work and hope to welcome you again in upcoming editions of LOONIFF.