ALBERTA-BASED FILMMAKERS: PLEASE EMAIL US AT ABFILMSUBMISSIONS@NORTHWESTFEST.CA FOR A WAIVER CODE!
*IF YOU SUBMIT YOUR FILM IN THE 'MADE-IN-ALBERTA' CATEGORY BUT YOU ARE NOT AN ALBERTA RESIDENT, YOUR SUBMISSION WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED FROM CONSIDERATION.
We accept ONLINE submissions ONLY.
2026 NorthwestFEARFest Submission Regulations and Guidelines
Participation in NorthwestFEARFest implies understanding and acceptance of the following Guidelines and Regulations. Filmmakers are responsible for the accuracy of all submitted materials.
Important Dates
Earlybird Submissions OPEN March 1, 2026
Earlybird Submission Deadline: May 15, 2026
Regular Submission Deadline: July 30, 2026
Extended Submission Deadline: August 19, 2026
September 9, 2026 Notification of Official Selections
October 2, 2026 Deadline for receipt of exhibition prints (unless otherwise arranged with programming)
*Please note The Festival will not view entries received after the Submission Deadline.
Eligibility
NorthwestFEARFest accepts submissions of feature length or short narrative or documentary films for inclusion in the festival. We do not accept submissions of 'mid-length' films (defined as films with a runtime between 30:00 - 59:59 in length). This is a GENRE festival, so emphasis is placed on horror, thriller, suspense, cult, experimental, sci-fi. We accept submissions of live action or animated films.
Requirements for eligibility for 2026 selection:
The film was completed after January 1, 2025, and was not previously submitted to NWFF
All applicable licenses and waivers of copyrights, moral rights, trademarks and other such intellectual property rights have been secured by the filmmaker(s)
All applicable legal waivers have been obtained from all participants
Exhibition print(s) will be complete and available for screening in Edmonton between October 14-20, 2026
Exhibition print must be available on DCP, Blu-Ray, or via Digital File.
Feature length preview screeners WILL ONLY be accepted as secure online links
Short film preview screeners are accepted as secure online links ONLY
Films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English
Shipping/mailing costs must be pre-paid, and insurance is recommended
Submission packages must be post-marked with all applicable fees and enclosures by the deadline
PRIORITY will be given to films that have not screened in Edmonton before NWF, either theatrically or broadcast, and not available online for public viewing.
Submissions Open March 1, 2026
Earlybird Submissions:
Feature length films 60min and up – $35
Short films 29:59min and under – $15
Regular Submissions:
Feature length films 60min and up – $50
Short films 29:59min and under – $25
Late Submissions:
Feature length films 60min and up – $75
Short films 29:59min and under – $40
NorthwestFEARFest is pleased to WAIVE FEES FOR ALL ALBERTA submissions. Email us for a pass code at: abfilmsubmissions@northwestfest.ca. Proof must be provided for the following criteria used to determine eligibility:
Albertan location, resident Albertan Writer, resident Albertan Producer, resident Albertan Director, Albertan funding source (with supporting documentation/letter)
*Pre entry submission fees are non-refundable.
Selection
Preference will be given to submissions that have not been distributed/screened theatrically or broadcast on television in Alberta prior to the 2026 Festival. All submissions are screened and evaluated by the NWFF Programming Committee. Designation of a selected film’s exhibition date(s), time(s), and location(s) is at the sole discretion of the Festival. The decisions of the Programmers are final. In addition, the entrant grants NWFF the right to exhibit the selected film up to three times during the Festival, in addition to Press screenings (closed to the public).
Upon notification of selection, the entrant agrees to immediately supply NWFF with publicity materials and grants the Festival the right to utilize such materials for promotional purposes and to broadcast and/or screen clips.
The following is a list of materials required for each film once accepted at the Festival:
• Electronic press kit
• Film poster(s), hand bills, or associated collateral for Box Office & Venue
• Select promotional clips and/or film trailer
• Additional promo screeners for Publicity
• (1) BLU-RAY (or DVD) backup, clean of watermarks and warnings, for projection backup
• (min. 3) High resolution promo image (min 300 dpi)
• Film website or trailer URL
Applicants will be notified by email regarding the results of the Festival’s selection process by Monday, September 9, 2026. Please do not contact the Programming Department regarding the status of your submission before that date.
Notification
Upon selection, participants will be contacted via email by Print Traffic with specific shipping instructions. Exhibition prints must arrive at the Festival office by October 2, 2026. Incoming shipping costs are the sole responsibility of the participant unless otherwise negotiated. Invited films must be shipped pre-paid, with all the necessary commercial invoices and customs paid, with return (or next festival) shipping information including the name of your preferred courier company and your account number.
Shipping of Exhibition Prints
Limitation of Liability and Indemnity Provisions
Although NWFF will take every reasonable precaution for the safekeeping and proper handling of entry and exhibition materials, including the Exhibition Print(s), from the time of receipt to the time of release to the Applicant’s courier company or shipping agent, NWFF shall not be liable to Applicant, his or her heirs, legal representatives, or dependents, or their respective assignees, for loss or damage to entry and exhibition materials arising out of the transportation to and from the Festival or the operations of NWFF, its officers, directors, agents, successors and assigns.
Notwithstanding the above, NWFF’s liability for claims, costs, losses, damages of any kind or any other cause, including but not limited to liability for any fundamental breach of this agreement or for patent or copyright infringement and regardless of the form of action, shall not exceed the fees paid hereunder for the submission to the Festival. The fees charged by NWFF reflect the allocation of risk herein and the limited recourse to the Applicant provided for in this Agreement.
In addition, International participants should note that NWFF will not assume responsibility for, nor will it accept shipments incurring expenses for terminal charges, duties, taxes or customs brokerage.
Finally, Applicant shall indemnify and hold NWFF harmless of and from any and all claims, losses, liabilities (including negligence, tort and strict liability), damages, judgments, suits or legal proceedings, including court costs, expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees, related to the use by NWFF of the entry and exhibition materials, including but not limited to any claim that the Applicant’s entry and exhibition materials violates the intellectual property rights of another party.
Accepted formats for exhibition:
35mm (*by request*), DCP, Blu-Ray, Digital Download.
For more information on submissions please contact: abfilmsubmissions@northwestfest.ca
