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 1, 2026
Deadline: April 24, 2026
Notification Date: May 29, 2026
Events: September 4-7, 2026 | Online

Please note that, exceptionally, the 2026 edition will be held online as we prepare for venue and platform updates for future seasons.

Awards & Prizes

2025 Official Montreal International Film Festival Laureates

Feature Films
Best Feature Film: Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day
Best Director: Believe - The Ultimate Battle
Best Screenplay: LARP THE MOVIE
Best Cinematography: LAMPIE
Best Cast: GROW

Short Films
Best Short Film: DON'T BE LATE, MYRA
Best Director: HAAGUA
Best Screenplay: SUNSET OVER AMERICA
Best Cinematography: CORAL REEF
Best Cast: I WRITE, YOU DRAW

Documentaries
Best Documentary: The Last Dive
Best Director: Everest Dark
Best Storytelling: Inukjuak ᐃᓄᒃᔪᐊᒃ
Best Cinematography: Lost Wolves of Yellowstone
Best Production: Mar Musa

Student Films
Best Student Film: WOODLAND
Best Student Director: Ewa's Letter
Best Student Screenplay: Blood Ties
Best Student Performance: Halima
Best Production: Lost in Distance

Animation & TV Series
Best Animated Film: Today I Will Only Come Home Tomorrow
Best Director: Poncho And Lefty in Chrome Don't Get Ya Home
Best Cinematography: Autistic Mode
Best TV Series: Baby

Honorable Mentions
Martina's Search (Feature Film)
Lateral Thinking (Feature Film)
I Just Want to Be Wanted (Short Film)
Vito-Man (Student Film)
The Color of Pink Flamingos (Short Film)
Writer's Block (Short Film)
ISLA NEGRA (Feature Film)
Summer Will Come (Feature Film)
Ladies (Feature Film)
The Lolol Hot Springs (Student Film)
Beyond Silence (Short Film)

2024 Montreal International Film Festival Winners

Feature Films
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 Mentions:

Emma Under Influence
The Anchorage of Time
Adulto
Hakki

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: Growth Limit
Best Makeup: FRAGMENTED

Honorable Mentions:
Culture Shock
Snakeskin
Triage

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 Mentions:

An Extraordinary Place
Bon Apoutine (FR)
Live Well
These Four Walls
Rada, the Film
Nos Amours – The Saga of the Montreal

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 Mentions:
Gale
The Perfect Fit
Winter Heart

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.

* Please note that, exceptionally, the 2026 edition will be held online as we prepare for venue and platform updates for future seasons. *

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 or the competition itself, 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 2026 Festival the deadline is : April 24, 2026

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) Materials to provide, if selected

If you are selected you must be able to provide a DCP. Including your film, with french or english subtitles, the trailer and poster of your project.

An unencrypted version of the film may be requested according to your assigned screening room’s technical specifications.

6) Please note that the festival does not provide accomodations or travels if selected. But we do provide discounted rates on hotels, activities and restaurants all around the city of Montreal.

7) The festival does not support screening fees or translation fees if selected.

8) As a part of our mission to create global social impact through film, selected filmmakers are invited to propose a social cause or non-profit aligned with their film or personal belief, to create awarness throughout the festival weekend.

3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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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