The Stratford Film Festival celebrates innovative films and filmmakers from around the world, around the country, and around the corner. Join us in for four nights and three days of screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and special events in the culturally vibrant, picturesque community of Stratford, Ontario. Hidden gems, foreign cinema, indie darlings, and more —memorable films you likely won’t see anywhere else.

We do it right. As filmmakers ourselves, we've had the opportunity to attend many festivals — large, small, prestigious, hole-in-the-wall, emerging — and we took note of all the great aspects of a well-run, engaging film festival. Our goal is to make SFF a great experience for both filmmakers and film lovers.

Programming includes a thoughtful selection of features, shorts, animation, and documentaries—films that entertain and inspire moviegoers through compelling visual storytelling.

The 2026 Stratford Film Festival opens Thursday, November 5 and runs through Sunday, November 8, offering an exceptional roster of films, intriguing industry guests, panel discussions, and nightly parties. Films will be screened in the iconic Stratford City Hall Auditorium Theatre in the heart of downtown Stratford.

We also run a monthly film series showcasing festival favorites and new discoveries. We're proud to be a partner with the TIFF Film Circuit providing us access to exceptional films and filmmakers showcased through the Toronto International Film Festival that we share with audiences throughout the year.

SFF is a filmmaker friendly festival, dedicated to making film professionals — directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, actors, editors, designers, craftspeople, and crew members — feel welcome. And we'll work with you to help market and promote your film.

SFF is proud to be a 50/50 filmmaker gender parity festival that is fully committed to equity, diversity, access, and inclusion.

All entries are screened/read and selected by a team of dedicated filmmakers and experienced viewers with an eye to discovering extraordinary films. Entries are judged on a point system for craft, originality, and storytelling.

Stratford is a charming and sophisticated town of 32,000, that within a 50 km/ 30 mile radius expands to 1,000,000 people. We are located just 120 km / 80 miles from Toronto and easily accessible via car, train or bus.

Stratford is a cultural hub, attracting 500,000 visitors annually, so the city has excellent amenities such as charming hotels, B&Bs, and airbnbs; great restaurants, cool bars, and a wealth of independently owned stores and boutiques.

With the Avon River and beautifully maintained parks and historical buildings, Stratford is the ultimate in a walkable community. You'll always find a warm welcome here.

Awards & Prizes

STRATFORD FILM FESTIVAL Awards & Honours
**Cash Award amounts announced closer to Festival

Best of Fest
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Canadian Feature
Best Environmental Film (Narrative, Documentary or Animation)
Best Canadian Short (Narrative, Documentary or Animation)
Best Dramatic Short
Best Comedy Short
Best International Short
Best Environmental Short
Best Animated Short
Emerging Filmmaker Award
Best Technology / Science / Science Fiction Film (Narrative, Documentary)

Rules & Terms

We accept films in the above stated categories in any genre. We do not have a premiere restriction, but do let us know if this is an international, national, or regional premiere or if this is your first feature.

- All films must be in English or subtitled in English.
- All films must be original work and clear of hindrances that would interfere with screening at the Stratford Film Festival.
- Foreign films are welcome.
- Feature Films must have been completed on or after January 2025
- Short Films must have been completed on or after January 2024
- Submissions must be made by the person authorized to do so by the rights holder for Canada.
- No work-in-progress submissions.
- If selected, rights holders must cover shipping costs for media and promotional
materials.

We reserve the right to adjust or amend award categories dependent upon submissions. Other cash or in-kind awards may be added closer to the festival.

All filmmakers are provided with two All Access passes to the entire festival iincluding all films, receptions, and talks. Except where specifically offered, travel, lodging, and expenses will be incurred by the filmmaker. We do however, try our best to offer feature filmmakers one or two nights accommodation at local hotels, motels, B&Bs and Airbnbs. We will also endeavour to billet shorts filmmakers where possible.

If your film is accepted, you grant SFF permission to use the film and marketing materials (posters, trailers, stills etc.) for promotional purposes.

REFUND POLICY
Submission fees are non-refundable.

6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Heidi Sander

    As a producer and writer, I was deeply impressed by the Stratford Film Festival's commitment to both craft and community. From the moment our film was selected, the team was communicative, organized, and genuinely invested in creating a meaningful experience for filmmakers. Our screening marked the World Premiere of the film, and the festival went above and beyond to support and promote it through both social media and print coverage, ensuring it reached a wide and engaged audience.

    What stood out most was the welcoming atmosphere that celebrates storytelling and storytellers. The festival brings together emerging and established voices in a way that feels personal and purposeful. The screenings were beautifully curated, and the discussions that followed reflected a real appreciation for the art and heart behind each project.

    The Stratford Film Festival has truly built a gathering place for creators and audiences who care about film as a living, breathing art form. If you're looking for a festival where your work will be seen, valued, and celebrated as part of a thoughtful creative community, I highly recommend the Stratford Film Festival.

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Colin Field

    The Stratford Film Festival was the highlight of our film
    festival tour in 2025 with our film We Lend a Hand.

    Megan and her team went above and beyond to ensure the film sold out twice. The media promotions were so successful that our film ended up being screened several more times in Stratford at other venues in the area.

    As a new filmmaker, Megan has provided me with invaluable coaching about film distribution and continues to be a champion of our film on social media. I highly recommend SFF as the place to go. You won’t be dissapointed!

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Tammy Heisel

    We can't thank Megan, Bill, and their entire crew enough for making our Stratford premiere a sold-out success for the screening of our documentary, Behind the Castle Doors: The Origin of The Hilarious House of Frightenstein. 

    Where to begin? The fact that they took us up on our idea to have a cereal bar (complete with Pop Tarts & toaster) for our Saturday morning screening? That they included us in literally every media opportunity possible? That they couldn't have been more helpful, friendly, and encouraging of our ideas - even inviting people to dress in their pjs - which they did? The fact that WE WON the Audience Favourite? We are truly blessed.

    Every single part of our experience with the Stratford Film Festival went above and beyond our expectations and we are very grateful. This may be year one, but this festival will grow quickly and we are thrilled to have been a part of their inaugural event.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Tammy and Morgan! We absolutely loved showcasing your funny, informative, nostalgic and quintessentially Canadian documentary for our festival audiences. The fact that you brought along props, posters, audience gifts and the one and only Mitch Markowitz AND wore your PJ's elevated the experience even further. We strive to curate excellent programming but when the filmmakers truly engage with the process and work in tandem with us to promote their film across various media platforms, well, success is guaranteed. We know you're going to have an amazing run with this film and we are so proud to have been part of the early launch.
    Warmly,
    Megan & Bill

  • Mokhless Al-Hariri

    Thank you!!!
    We are thrilled that "Chanting of the Dunes," our multiple award-winning film, was warmly recognized by the Stratford Film Festival.
    Many thanks on behalf of our entire film team!!!

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Megan Follows

    What a terrific festival. From the moment we were accepted, executive director Megan Smith Harris and her entire team made our experience something we will always treasure. We felt welcomed, supported, and celebrated throughout the four day festival It was super cool to meet up with the other filmmakers, and see the other films in the festival and explore the beautiful city of Stratford. I can't recommend this festival enough. Thank you Megan, Bill and your entire team for including us. -- Marie D and Megan F.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Megan & Marie,
    We loved having you! Not only was your powerful film, STEALING THE SKY, a big hit with festival goers, the two of you were fantastic during the post-screening Q&A. Given that you both wear multiple hats -- producer, writer, actor, director -- you were able to provide genuine insight into the world of independent documentary filmmaking. Thank you both for also interacting with our audience members, posing for photos, and for attending other screenings. Our number one goal is to me a filmmaker-friendly festival where creators feel welcomed, supported, and engaged. We look forward to seeing future projects from both of you and hope you will come back again and again.
    Warmly,
    Megan & Bill