OFFA Celebrates 13 Years — June 17–27, 2026

The Oakville Festivals of Film and Art (OFFA) celebrates its 13th anniversary with our most ambitious festival yet. From the moment you arrive, you’ll understand why this socially engaged, event-driven festival is so beloved by filmmakers and audiences alike. Our curated Industry Summit offers an intimate space to connect, collaborate, and learn from industry leaders, while our diverse programming immerses guests in film, conversation, and the arts. And new for 2026: OFFA expands beyond Oakville and Mississauga into Burlington, extending our reach and cultural impact across the Halton–Peel region.

For more than a decade, OFFA has brought the Oakville Film Festival to local, Canadian, and international filmmakers—building a truly community-oriented event with both national and global appeal. With over 100 film screenings across our independent cinema and performing arts venues, OFFA presents a full week of live gala premieres, Q&As, networking socials, and professional workshops. You’ll quickly see why OFFA has become an essential stop on the Canadian festival circuit.

At OFFA, great storytelling is at the heart of everything we do. Our films explore the human condition and the social issues that shape our world—from stories centered on women, families, and newcomers to Canada, to those amplifying Indigenous and BIPOC voices. Each year, we proudly present a National Indigenous Peoples Day selection of films, showcasing original Indigenous features and shorts that celebrate culture, resilience, and creativity.

We’re proud of our long history of attracting filmmakers from around the globe who come to engage in our welcoming, inspiring festival and Industry Summit. Supporting local talent, and emerging filmmakers, and giving creatives a platform to share their work remains central to our mission. Our juried awards program recognizes excellence across genres, including Honourable Mentions for acting.

Join us in Oakville — a small community with a big heart — for ten unforgettable days of film, conversation, and connection.

Visit www.offa.ca for details.

Awards & Prizes

1. Best Canadian feature film or documentary Award.

2. Best international short film award.

3. Best international feature film or documentary award

4. Best Canadian short Film award

5. Best student film award

6. Best Canadian director award

7. Best International director award.

8. Audience Choice Award best feature or documentary

9. Audience Choice Award short Film.

10. Best Indigenous Film Award.

Plus Honourable Mentions for Acting (up to 5 chosen by Film Jury)

Rules & Terms

We do not accept features longer than 2 hours, feature films must be 80 minutes or more, and documentaries can be up to 90 minutes. If you submit a short documentary, and we accept it, it will be programmed thematically with one or more short documentaries. We accept short films up to 22 minutes long, We do not accept pornography.

If accepted, your film could be screened either live, or in a virtual format through Eventive. International short films are typically screened virtually to allow filmmakers from around the world to participate in a live, virtual Q&A with the screenings. This also allows filmmakers around the world to watch the short films as well.

If you are successful with features, short film or doc submissions and we do a live screening, we would prefer delivery of a DCP for the festival screening. If the film is to be screened online, we would require an HD quality video file.

85 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Networking
  • Add the Dog - Vanessa Esteves

    The Oakville Film Festival was an incredible experience for both myself and my team. As a filmmaker, having our film screen at such a well-curated event was truly special. The festival's organization was seamless, and the team behind it made sure every filmmaker felt valued and supported. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted warmly, and the screening was packed with an attentive, engaged audience—exactly what every filmmaker hopes for.

    August 2025
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  • YingLu FilmNav

    What a great film festival! My film "Whisper of Wheat" was finally screened on an online platform, along with short films from various different countries.
    The only drawback was that there was buffering when watching online, so I couldn't watch many films. I hope to have the opportunity to attend the offline event.

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much YingLu for submitting Whisper of Wheat to OFFA!

  • Colin Field

    Wendy and her team at OFFA were fantastic to work with! We were treated so well and our film looked and sounded fabulous on their screen. Thank you all for a wonderful festival experience!

    July 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Colin for bringing We Lend a Hand: the Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes to OFFA! What a great sold out event and having you and Bonnie, your display, and some of the farmerettes with us just made this an unforgettable experience!

  • Prego Torto

    What an honor it was to have my film showing at the OFFA Festival! I hope next time I can come in person!

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Prego!

  • Michal Kedzierski

    It was a pleasure screening at OFFA for the second year in a row! Thank you for including Ewa's Letter in your lineup, and for awarding us with Runner Up Best Student Film!

    July 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Michal for submitting Ewa's Letter to the festival!
    So excited for your award as well.