Open World Toronto Film Festival

About Us

The Open World Toronto Film Festival (OWTFF) is celebrating its 10th edition as a vibrant, multi-day celebration of independent cinema, live performances, and fashion, held annually in the heart of Toronto. OWTFF offers a unique platform for emerging filmmakers, visual artists, and performers to showcase their talents, connect with audiences, and engage with industry professionals. Our festival is more than just a series of screenings; it's a dynamic, multi-sensory experience that blends film, art, music, and fashion into an inclusive, socially engaging event. Since its inception, OWTFF has prioritized supporting underrepresented voices in the film and creative industries, fostering a diverse, collaborative, and fashion-forward community of creators.

Mission

Our mission at the Open World Toronto Film Festival is to empower new and underrepresented voices in the film industry by providing a dedicated platform for emerging filmmakers, artists, and performers. Now in our 10th edition, we aim to create opportunities for novice talent to debut their work and connect directly with audiences, industry insiders, and mentors through Q&A sessions, panels, and hands-on workshops. By offering a space where creativity, inclusion, and sustainability converge, we foster a vibrant environment that nurtures artistic exploration, cultivates industry connections, and celebrates the diversity of perspectives that enrich our cultural landscape.

Vision

The Open World Toronto Film Festival envisions a future where fresh talent from all backgrounds has equal opportunity to shine and make an impact in the creative industry. Celebrating our milestone 10th edition, we continue to bridge the worlds of film, performance, and fashion, crafting an immersive experience that unites art forms and communities. By leveraging technology, promoting sustainability, and ensuring equitable access, we are dedicated to advancing inclusivity within the festival space. Our vision is to create an enduring platform that nurtures emerging voices and supports their growth in a holistic creative ecosystem, leaving a lasting influence on the future of cinema and the arts.

At the Open World Toronto Film Festival, success is not just recognized — it’s celebrated in grand style. Winners in each category have the honor of being awarded the coveted OWTFF Trophy, a symbol of cinematic excellence. This unique and desirable trophy is presented in person during one of our live Annual Galas, marking a moment of triumph and recognition in the presence of peers and film enthusiasts.

But the rewards extend beyond the trophy. Winners will also receive guaranteed free full access to the OWTFF for themselves and their family/team. This access opens doors to an array of exclusive festival events, networking opportunities, and unforgettable experiences that celebrate the art of filmmaking.

As an entrant to the Open World Toronto Film Festival, I acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. Award Ceremony Participation and Trophy Collection:

If I win an award, I understand the trophy is ideally collected in person at the OWTFF event. Personal presence of award recipients enriches the festival experience.
Should circumstances prevent attendance, a pre-recorded thank-you speech can be played at the event. However, attending in person, especially for the Q&A sessions, is a highly valued experience at OWTFF.
If unable to attend, OWTFF can facilitate sending the trophy, but I will be responsible for arranging and covering all shipping aspects. As an international festival, OWTFF cannot handle global shipping logistics for each winner.

2. Visa Assistance:

OWTFF will assist with visa invitation letters for award winners, if required, allowing sufficient time for travel arrangements.

3. Submission Process:

Regular submissions must be made via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/OpenWorldTorontoFilmFestival

4. Event Adaptability:

The timing and scheduling of events are subject to change due to variables such as weather conditions, venue arrangements, or to ensure the participation of international artists and filmmakers. Adaptability is valued within our community.

5. Multiple Entries and Categories:

Multiple entries and submissions to multiple categories are allowed for an additional fee.

6. Judgment and Fees:

Decisions by judges, programmers, and organizers are final.
Entry fees are non-refundable.

7. Screening Format:

OWTFF accepts only downloadable digital versions for screening and do not accepts mailed in physical copy.

8. Language and Subtitles:

Non-English film submissions must include subtitles.

9. Liability:

I hold OWTFF harmless from any damage to my submission during the festival’s possession.
I release OWTFF, its owners, management, juries, etc., from all claims of liability from my entry.

10. Authorization:

I am duly authorized to submit this film to the festival.

11. Rights and Permissions:

I have rights to all music in the submitted work.
I grant OWTFF permission to use stills, titles, posters, trailers, and submission information for promotional purposes.
I grant OWTFF permission to screen my film at the event.

12. Understanding and Compliance:

I have read and will comply with all submission guidelines, terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements.
The information in my submission is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
My submitted film or video is not involved in or threatened by any litigation.

13. Changes to Rules:

The rules and criteria for submissions may change without notice.

By submitting to the Open World Toronto Film Festival, I agree to these terms and conditions in full.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Tatsuaki Mizoi

Thank you very much for screening my film "The Afterlife Photo" and also for best long short award. The festival is sophisticated, the team is very friendly, and I am honored that I could attend this film festival.

July 2024

Helpful
Kevin Romano - Huhn

We are extremely grateful for the selection this year for our short, Hope for Christmas. The opportunity to attend and be hosted with such kindness was such a wonderful experience. The team at OWTFF were exceptional at making everyone feel so welcome.

July 2024

Helpful
Conor Forrest

great festival! I am so grateful for them giving my film a Toronto screening that it ever so needed!!!!!

December 2022

Helpful
Ilan Rosenberg

Well organized and lots of fun.

December 2022

Helpful
guewen Saulnier

Really good festival, with good vibe and who is really interested in cinema !

December 2022

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

November 13, 2024
Opening Date
December 31, 2024
Launch
January 31, 2025
Earlybird
March 31, 2025
Regular
May 31, 2025
Late
June 30, 2025
Extended
July 27, 2025
Final
August 8, 2025
Notification Date
August 22 – 24, 2025
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Best Trailer
Can be submitted for: Animation, Music Video, Documentary, Experimental, Web Series, Short, Long Short and Feature Film of any genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $12.50
- Student: $7.50
- Gold Members: $10
- Earlybird
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $12.50
- Regular
- Standard: $20
- Student: $12.50
- Gold Members: $15
- Late
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Extended
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Final
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
Submit Now
Best Animation
Can be of any length or genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Music Video
Can be of any length or genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Documentary
Can be of any length or genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Experimental
Can be of any length or genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Web Series
Submit your Best Episode. Can be of any length or genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Short
Can be of any genres. Around 25mins & under.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Long Short
Can be of any genres. Around 25mins to 55mins.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Feature Film
Can be of any genres. Around 55mins & Over.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Actor
Can be submitted for: Animation, Music Video, Documentary, Experimental, Web Series, Short, Long Short and Feature Film of any genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Actress
Can be submitted for: Animation, Music Video, Documentary, Experimental, Web Series, Short, Long Short and Feature Film of any genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Story and Screenplay
Can be submitted for: Animation, Music Video, Documentary, Experimental, Web Series, Short, Long Short and Feature Film of any genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Director
Can be submitted for: Animation, Music Video, Documentary, Experimental, Web Series, Short, Long Short and Feature Film of any genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Sound And Music
Can be submitted for: Animation, Music Video, Documentary, Experimental, Web Series, Short, Long Short and Feature Film of any genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Best Cinematography
Can be submitted for: Animation, Music Video, Documentary, Experimental, Commercial, Web Series, Short, Long Short and Feature Film of any genres.
- Launch
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $20
- Earlybird
- Standard: $30
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $35
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $40
- Student: $22.50
- Gold Members: $35
- Extended
- Standard: $45
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $50
- Student: $27.50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Local Special Presentation
For Toronto "GTA" region Filmmakers only! We Welcome Animation, Music Video, Documentary, Experimental, Web Series, Short, Long Short, Feature Film of Any Genres. (Please Note that this category is to support the local scene and it's not an Award Category therefor if you get selected your project will be screened as an "Official Selection/Special Presentation" and you or someone from your team need to be present at the screening of your project.)
- Launch
- Standard: $12.50
- Student: $7.50
- Gold Members: $10
- Earlybird
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $12.50
- Regular
- Standard: $17.50
- Student: $12.50
- Gold Members: $15
- Late
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $17.50
- Extended
- Standard: $22.50
- Student: $17.50
- Gold Members: $20
- Final
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
Submit Now

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Tatsuaki Mizoi

Kevin Romano - Huhn

Conor Forrest

Ilan Rosenberg

guewen Saulnier