The 4th annual festival will take place May 25 - 28, 2023 in Toronto.

The Toronto Arab Film Festival is a non-for-profit festival dedicated to bringing films from, and about the Arab world, to Toronto audiences.

Our latest edition featured 50 films from 19 countries, with in-person and virtual screenings, as well as social, networking and professional development events. We handed out 4 awards totalling over $2500 in financial and in-kind awards.

In 2023, the festival will primarily taking place in-person, with select screenings and programming available online.

Awards & Prizes

Awards presented offer a financial reward to winning filmmakers, along with a one of a kind trophy designed by a local artist.

> Juthour Jury Award for Most Promising Filmmaker
> Qayqub Award for Best Canadian Short Film
> Yamama Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film
> Nakheel Jury Award for Best Feature Film

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY
All submissions:

- must have been completed after January 1, 2021
- must be in English, or have English subtitles at the time of submission.
- accepted formats: shorts, features, documentaries, fiction, experimental
- must complete the submission form via FilmFreeway indicating the following:
- the film's premiere status
- the film's availability/restrictions for physical and virtual screenings
- the film's geoblocking availability

The 2023 will take place in-person and online.

Short films will be automatically entered into the following competitions:
- Audience choice award
- Jury Award for most promising filmmaker
- Best Canadian Film*
* Only applicable to Canadian films

Feature films will be automatically entered into competition:
- Best Feature Film Award
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Maher Hasnaoui

    Merci pour cette belle expérience <3

    June 2022
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  • Raghad Korayem

    The Organizers were professional and helpful.

    June 2022
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  • Suzannah Mirghani

    This super-stylish festival is run by a cool collection of individuals, all seeking to highlight the many stories, perspectives, and alternative visions of the Arab world and its diaspora communities. The organizers are pretty social media savvy too, so LOTS of online exposure for filmmakers!

    June 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Suzannah! It was an absolute delight having your film at the festival this year.

  • Essa Grayeb

    An amazing initiative by an amazing team, such an honor to be part of this.

    May 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Shukran Essa! It is our pleasure to have your film in our festival. Hope to see more of your work in the future.