MISSION & OBJECTIVE

The "Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival" (TAEFF) mission is to celebrate the independent motion picture and literary arts by providing a platform for filmmakers and writers to have their work awarded and screened.

Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival is a two day festival that kicks off with a networking hour, followed by quality films. We follow the films with a Q&A from the filmmakers and actors in attendance. Then follow the screenings with additional networking opportunities.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Welcome to our Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival (TAEFF) in the true spirit of the city of Toronto, Ontario, champions independent cinema that isn't afraid to push boundaries. The festival showcases emerging and established filmmaking talent from Canada and around the world.

TAEFF is established by a team of filmmakers and film critics. The members of the jury are film scholars, filmmakers and critics from Canada & around the world.

The festival is located in Toronto, Canada.

Showcase your film at the Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival, Network with filmmakers and industry members from across the globe! Plus, your chance to win awards and potentially lock down a distribution deal with our partnered film distributors.

With that, we just partnered with an filmmakers network, and this year all of our winners will be automatically invited to join and connect with film industry personnel in this exciting new way!

What better place to screen your work than in Toronto, Ontario, Canada? Submit now to be featured as part of the 2025 Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival!

Awards are presented in the following categories by the Festival Jury

All winners will receive Trophy & Certificates.
All Official Selected will receive "Official Selection Certificates".

Awards & Prizes are only one part of this great festivals amenities. Don't miss out on this great opportunity and festival to get your name and project recognition out there.

The Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival will present cash awards in the following categories for 2025 winners at the Festival.

$1,000 Cash Prize for Best Narrative Feature
$1,000 Cash Prize for Best Documentary Feature
$500 Cash Prize for Best Narrative Short
$500 Cash Prize for Best Documentary Short

* Certificates and Trophy

• Best Feature Film
• Best Feature Documentary
• Best Short Film
• Best Short Documentary
• Best Covid19 Film
• Best Super Short Film
• Student Film
• Best Music Video
• Web/TV Series
• Experimental Film
• Animated Film
• Inspirational Film
• Drama Short Film
• Comedy Short Film
• Horror Short Film
• Thriller Short Film
• Action Short Film
• Sci-Fi Short Film
• Fantasy Short Film
• LGBTQ Short Film
• Advertising

A) Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival (TAEFF) Eligibility Requirements

1. We accept films of all genres.
2. Films completed on or after Jan 1, 2017 are eligible for consideration. Non-English films must have English language subtitles.
3. Short films must be under 40 minutes and features should be 40 mins and over.
4. Multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted. A separate submission and a separate entry fee must accompany each entry.
5. Entrants confirm and warrant required legal authority to submit the entry.

B) Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival (TAEFF) Submission Guidelines

1. Films must be submitted via online screener hosted by Vimeo, you tube, on DVD or on Blu-ray disc.
2. Only complete entries (including fee payment) will be considered.
3. Entrants are permitted to submit works-in-progress (i.e., without final color correction or sound mixing), but please note that the programming committee will only consider the version submitted. Subsequent cuts or replacement copies will only be accepted at the request of the programming committee.
4. No filmmaker or writer will be either discriminated against or favored by their country of origin, language, age, race, education, ideology, or by their economic resources.

C) TAEFF Judging & Selection

Films are selected for Festival presentation by the Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival programming committee. If a film is selected, the Festival office will contact the entrant by phone or email. The Festival does not provide feedback or screening notes to entries that are not selected.

All competitive film categories are judged during or before the Festival.

D) TAEFF Entry Fees

Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are not refundable. Fees cover registration, registration notification, consideration by the programming department, and notification of the results. These fees may be paid by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express).

E) We do not accept:
1. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Phenomenal festival. Great selection of film, and wonderful group of individuals.

    July 2026
  • The 'Music Medicine Dance' team are all very pleased to be awarded by the Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival. Thank you ^ Much Respect. Very CoOL

    July 2026
  • Overall I was thrilled to participate and be chosen as a winner Best Drama Short. I can't comment on networking as I had a three hour drive to and from the festival so driving home Saturday night and back Sunday didn't allow me to join the crowd Saturday night ...however they did have a crowd that seemed to enjoy the networking when I spoke with them on Sunday. The actual venue (theatre) itself was in need of some TLC - but that is not the festivals job (or fault) but maybe next year they may choose a different theatre. Communications were mostly great but had one issue with project file they chose to play ...but they went out of their way to accommodate me and even played my film a 2nd time with the proper 5.1 ProRes MOV file the next day - how awesome is that. All of the festival staff wore a smile and made you feel totally at home with them - as if you and your film were special.

    July 2026
  • Scott West

    The Toronto Arts & Entertainment is the perfect film festival for artistic independent film makers with an emphasis on overall emotional connection, impact and compelling story lines. Very supportive, communicative and supportive of independent film makers. 5 Stars!!! The Best!!!

    July 2026
  • Thank you for including us in your beautiful festival in the beautiful city of Toronto! You are part of our journey, and we are grateful for having a platform to showcase our art.

    July 2026