2026 TIFF NEXT WAVE FILM FESTIVAL

TIFF Next Wave is the heartbeat of year-round programming for young audiences at the Toronto International Film Festival. TIFF Next Wave celebrates the power in young people seeing themselves and their communities represented on screen. The annual TIFF Next Wave Film Festival returns April 16–19, 2026, bringing young audiences and creators together to explore new voices and perspectives in cinema. The Festival is curated by TIFF’s Next Wave Committee, a group of 12 teen film enthusiasts from across the Greater Toronto Area.

As the Festival celebrates its 15th edition, TIFF Next Wave is excited to welcome audiences to TIFF Lightbox, promising a jam-packed weekend of bold new movies from around the world, amazing guests and Q&A sessions, industry workshops and talks at the Young Creators Co-Lab, and the ever-epic kick-off at Battle of the Scores. To learn more about TIFF Next Wave, visit: tiff.net/nextwave.

TIFF Next Wave is supported by The Bennett Family Foundation, The Hal Jackman Foundation, and The Rossy Foundation. The TIFF Next Wave Film Festival is supported by the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Toronto.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: YOUNG CREATORS SHOWCASE

The TIFF Next Wave Film Festival is now accepting submissions for the Young Creators Showcase, a shorts programme featuring films made by young and emerging filmmakers from across Canada. From animation to fiction to documentary, this programme highlights a dynamic mix of voices, visions, and methods of storytelling. The Young Creators Showcase celebrates the next generation of Canadian filmmaking talent, showcasing bold new ways youth are engaging in cinema.

SUBMISSIONS PROCESS

Submissions for the Young Creators Showcase close on February 1, 2026. There is no submission fee. All submissions to the Young Creators Showcase must be made via FilmFreeway. For information on how to upload and submit your film via FilmFreeway, please visit: https://filmfreeway.com/help/category/3969/projects-and-video-uploads.

Selected films will screen at TIFF Lightbox as part of the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, April 16–19, 2026.

All filmmakers who meet the below criteria will be notified of a decision by March 13, 2026. TIFF will contact filmmakers using the contact information provided in the FilmFreeway registration form. Filmmakers are responsible for providing correct and functional contact information. TIFF is not responsible for any failed attempts to contact filmmakers using the contact information provided.

Awards & Prizes

YOUNG CREATORS AWARDS

All selected Young Creators Showcase films will be eligible for awards in support of the next generation of Canadian filmmakers. The winners will be chosen by a jury of film industry professionals who will assess the films and select the award recipients based on proficiency in form, expression, experimentation, and creativity. The winning films will be announced at the 2026 TIFF Next Wave Film Festival.

Rules & Terms

RULES & TERMS

Submitted films must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for the Young Creators Showcase:

- Submissions are open to Canadian creators, age 14–28 at the time the film made.
- Submissions are open to films that were completed in 2025 or 2026.
- Films must be no longer than 20 minutes in length, including credits.
- Filmmakers are welcome to submit multiple films for consideration.
- Non-English language films must be submitted with English subtitles.
- All genres and types of filmmaking are welcome, including but not limited to: fiction, animation, experimental, music video, and documentary.
- If you have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the creation of your film, you must disclose which components of the film this applies to via the custom submission form on FilmFreeway. Please note that if your film does use AI and it is not disclosed here, your film may no longer be eligible for submission and/or inclusion in the Festival.
- If selected, filmmakers will be asked to provide the required materials, including but not limited to: film stills, film synopsis, and biography of the filmmaker.
- All selected filmmakers will be asked to deliver a Screening Copy of the film. Selected filmmakers will receive a Technical and Delivery Guidelines document with information on how to best deliver the Screening Copy.
- All selected filmmakers will be invited to attend the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival and participate in a post-screening Q&A session. Filmmakers will be responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation.
- All selected filmmakers will be eligible for the Young Creators Showcase Awards.

ABOUT TIFF

TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization with a mission to transform the way people see the world through film. A global leader in film and entertainment, TIFF initiatives include the annual Toronto International Film Festival® in September; TIFF Lightbox, which features five cinemas, learning and entertainment facilities; the Donald Shebib TIFF Film Circuit, an innovative national distribution program; and the TIFF Content Market launching in 2026. The organization generates an estimated annual economic impact of $240 million CAD. TIFF Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel, and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation, and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.