From the moment you arrive, you will understand why this hybrid online and live events festival is so loved by filmmakers. In its 8th year, the social-issues-oriented Willson Oakville Film Festival gives local, Canadian and international filmmakers a chance to participate in a truly community-oriented festival.

We offer an intimate and effective networking event for filmmakers (conducted through digital and live networking events and workshops, panels, and Master Classes), as well as an immersive experience for our audiences. We recognize filmmakers in all genres who tell great stories, celebrate diversity and explore social issues, while sparking meaningful discussion.

Our thought-provoking films about the human condition, speak to the diverse social issues that impact our community, including women’s issues, environmental issues, Indigenous issues, ageism, to addiction and mental illness, to topics such as bullying, or human trafficking. Our selections include Canadian and international feature films, short films, documentaries, and webisodes.

From our opening gala celebration to our director Q&A sessions, from filmmaker socials to our engaging live and virtual workshops, you will soon discover why Oakville Festivals of Film and Art has become an important stop on the festival circuit.

We have a strong history of attracting diverse filmmakers from around the world, who attend the event to talk directly with audiences about their work, in a friendly, intimate and inspirational environment. Our Industry Days bring filmmakers together to learn, collaborate and socialize with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for films.

Supporting local filmmakers and giving them an opportunity to showcase their films in front of a supportive audience is very important to us. We also encourage indigenous, female and culturally diverse filmmakers to submit their films to this inclusive event.
Our website is ‪www.offa.ca‬.

Awards & Prizes

1. Best Feature Film or Documentary Award: features a cash prize, as well as an industry equipment package for filmmakers.

2. Best Short Film: features a cash prize, as well as an industry equipment package for filmmakers.

3. Best Canadian Feature film or documentary: Features a cash prize, as well as an industry equipment package for filmmakers.

Rules & Terms

We do not accept features longer than two hours, and documentaries can be feature length, or 45 minutes or more. If you submit a ONE HOUR documentary and we accept it, it will be programmed with another short documentary. We accept short films up to 20 minutes long, We do not accept pornography.

If accepted, your film could be screened either live, or in a digital format, or both. At this time, due to the COVID 19 pandemic, OFFA reserves the right to modify the delivery of its festival programming based on government rules and regulations related to the pandemic. At this time, our festival is planned as a hybrid event, with both digital and live screenings.

If you are successful with features or doc submissions and we do a live screening, we would prefer delivery of a DCP for the festival screening. HOWEVER, if you have a short film we accept any HD Quality digital file delivery. If the film is to be screened online, we would require an HD quality video file. We also have a deal with Film.ca, our lead venue partner and for the creation of DCPs at heavily discounted rates for our filmmakers, which you have access to if your film is accepted.

35 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Cathleen MacDonald

    In the tough year of COVID-19, the Oakville Film Festival did an amazing job of pivoting to virtual, keeping their commitment to filmmakers and their audience. Wendy and her team continue to deliver a top-notch local festival. I recommend Oakville Film Festival and I will definitely participate again.

    August 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Cathleen! Glad to see you keep coming back!

  • Ryan Byrne

    Well run festival with a great atmosphere and excellent communication

    July 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Ryan! Was great having A Statue's Best Friend at our festival! Please submit again.

  • Ryan Northcott

    This was my first festival experience on the filmmaker side, I've had a few as an actor, and the experience with Oakville Film Festival could not have been a better start.

    The weekly workshops leading up to the festival were educational, communication great, and the people are kind and helpful.

    Thanks again for the selection OFFA.
    Can't wait until next year...hopefully in person!

    July 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Ryan we love Once Upon A Pandemic and look forward to hopefully seeing you next year!

  • Thomas Gailhard

    Thanks for everything and congratulations for still making it possible despite new measures.. it was such a pride to be selected by you guys to premiere my movie in Canada.

    July 2020
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    Response from festival:

    It was great having the Canadian Premiere of Sah Mata at the festival and hope to see you back again. What a great film!

  • Constance Hilton

    It was a great pleasure screening my film, Mute, with the OFFA. Both Wendy and Tori were extremely communicative and helpful throughout the entire festival experience. They pulled together a really enjoyable online festival in the wake of COVID-19 forcing a complete restructuring from previous years.

    July 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Contance for bringing Mute to OFFA Online! Love the film and hope you submit again.