The Montreal International Film Festival is a non-profit organization.

Mission: We are an international film festival and market dedicated to showcasing projects and supporting filmmakers who tackle global challenges.

Vision: We aim to become your go to essential film festival on the international stage, recognized for our commitment to global challenges. We aspire to continue to create a space conducive to enriching discussions that transform into concrete actions and significant impact.

Our Values:
-Community
-Engagement
-Authenticity
-Inclusivity
-Accessibility

The Film Competition:
Opening Date: August 26, 2024
Deadline: June 27, 2025
Notification Date: July 21, 2025
Events: August 22-24, 2025

Awards & Prizes

Winners of the 2024 Montreal International Film Festival:

Category - Best Feature Film:

Best Picture | Grandma & the foreigner
Best Screenplay | When He Comes Back
Best Cinematography | Oysters silence
Best Director | Diagnosis: Dissent | Denys Tarasov
Best Cast | Crossing
Best Actor | Diagnosis: Dissent | Kostiantyn Temliak
Best Actress | Thirsty | Jamie Neumann
Best Editing | Great Sertão
Best Soundtrack | When He Comes Back
Best Costumes | Holy Mother
Best Makeup | FESTER
Honorable Mention | Emma Under Influence
Honorable Mention | The Anchorage of Time
Honorable Mention | Adulto
Honorable Mention | Hakki

Category - Best Short Films:

Best Picture | HOLD
Best Screenplay | Ananke
Best Cinematography | Malika
Best Director | The Building Manager | Nick Bartlett
Best Cast | The Worst Day Ever?
Best Actor | Binky | David Grof
Best Actress | The Most Beautiful Day | Evgenia Dodina
Best Editing | Spring Soil
Best Soundtrack | Keep the Party Going
Best Costumes | Growht Limit
Best Makeup | FRAGMENTED
Honorable Mention | Culture Shock
Honorable Mention | Snakeskin
Honorable Mention | Triage

Category - Best Documentaries:

Best Documentary | MUZA
Best Cinematography | AYAPAGULA
Best Director | What drives us - Was uns bewegt | Julius Wiege, Marina Zolke
Best Storytelling | Locker Room Talk
Best Editing | The Jewish Nazi?
Best Soundtrack | Ari's Theme
Honorable Mention | An Extraordinary Place
Honorable Mention | Bon Apoutine (FR)
Honorable Mention | Live Well
Honorable Mention | These Four Walls
Honorable Mention | Rada, the film
Honorable Mention | Nos Amours - The Saga of the Montreal

Category - Best Animation Projects:

Best Picture | Norbert
Best Screenplay | Black Butterflies
Best Director | Norbert | José Corral Llorente
Best Voice Over | 4Kims : The story of four men
Best Soundtrack | The EKSPATS - We're Going to Africa
Best Character Design | Norbert
Best Animation | Norbert
Best World Building | Black Butterflies
Honorable Mention | Gale
Honorable Mention | The Perfect Fit
Honorable Mention | Winter heart

Category - Best TV Series:

Best Picture | PUSH
Best Director | PUSH | Katja Benrath, Mia Maariel Meyer
Best Cast | Habibi Baba Boom
Best Costumes | Qorqyt
Best Makeup | Qorqyt

Rules & Terms

Official Regulations:
The Montreal International Film Festival accepts projects from anywhere in the world, it is an international competition.

1) Eligibility Requirements:

All entries must at least have subtitled in English or French. Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry to the Festival and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.

All entries must fit professional standards guideline.

For any specific questions regarding your project’s eligibility, please email :
info@montrealinternationalfilmfestival.com

2) Submission Guidelines

∙ Projects must be submitted via an online screener like Vimeo or other secure online platform. (It is recommended that films submitted via online screener be available to download). We recommend including a cover letter for yourself and your project.

∙ In your submission please state why your project has a global impact. Why is it important on the international scene: message, moral or mission.

∙ Only complete entries (including fee payment ) will be considered.

∙ You can enter the festival by applying through FilmFreeway
The committee will only consider final versions submitted.

∙ Students can apply only in the student films category.

3) Deadlines
For the 2025 Festival the deadline is : July 27 2025

4) Entry Fees: $70.00 (CAD)
Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fee is not refundable. Fees cover registration, registration notification, full consideration by the programming department, and notification of the results. Must be paid online.

5) If you are selected you must be able to provide a DCP.

3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • keith chen

    Thank you, MIFF! The When He Comes Back team is deeply grateful, proud, and encouraged to be included in the festival.

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Jacqueline van Vugt

    Montreal International Film Festival has a great upcoming new vibe.
    A lovely mix of sincere and hardworking people and a great audience. A truly independent film festival.

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Debra Solomon

    The Montreal International Film Festival was incredibly filmmaker friendly, I highly recommend this festival to all filmmakers !

    September 2023
    Helpful