The Toronto Film Week is an annual week-long event showcasing independent films with an edge. The event was created by independent filmmakers, for independent filmmakers, with the sole purpose to showcase and screen new and upcoming talent.
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Running in association with the Toronto Arthouse Film Festival (screens in Fall), the Toronto Film Week (screens in Spring) focuses on the unconventional, the unusual, the underground, the intuitive, the innovative, the minimalistic and the true artists of our time.

The Toronto Film Week is a true arthouse festival in every sense. Aiming to inspire, motivate and award new talent.

PROUD PARTNER OF THE BIGGER SCREEN
Toronto Film Week is supported by The Bigger Screen, an organization that aims to make film as an art form more accessible and more inclusive. A short overview of their projects:

- Supporting Film Festivals: Film festivals are not only a place to share films, but they are a safe haven for film makers to connect, share, and learn. The Bigger Screens supports and engages with over 25 respected international film festivals from mainstays like the 61st Ann Arbor Film Festival and the Brussels Independent Film Festival to emerging events such as the Venice Film Week and The Producer’s Night Los Angeles. These events bring filmmakers and filmgoers together, providing that place to connect and engage in a comfortable setting, away from Hollywood glitz and glamour.

- Connecting Cultures Program: Each year, The Bigger Screen selects at least ten countries and grants filmmakers from those areas the ability to submit their work free of charge to partner festivals all over the world. This opens the door of film exposure to those who may not otherwise be able to enter. As we support inclusivity and shareable films, this program exemplifies our mission. Check out https://www.connectingculturesprogram.com to see if your country is included in this year’s program and submit your work for free.

- Local Filmmakers Program: To encourage rising talent, we lowered the festival submission fee to local talent and even made it for free when submitted before the Extreme Early Bird Deadline. This provides a great opportunity for local filmmakers to enter the international film scene. Think global, act local, right?

- Inclusive Audience Program: Our screenings are always low or even free of charge to provide opportunity for interested film goers to view up and coming, challenging, and inspiring pieces of art, encouraging students, seniors, and those in underprivileged environments to share the experience of film and cinema. We welcome film goers, regardless of income and financial status.

- The Tarkovski Grant: All selected filmmakers will receive The Tarkovski Grant, a film festival submission fee waiver package with an average value of about $500. This not only saves you a lot of money, but it also recognizes your work as something to watch for during the selection procedure, making a selection with another partner film festival more likely - but of course, never guaranteed. The Tarkovski Grant supports hundreds of filmmakers each year in their challenging journeys as independent filmmakers, by promoting existing films, no matter the genre, style or length.

The selected films will compete for the following awards:
Best Narrative Feature Film
Best Documentary Feature Film
Best Animated Feature Film
Best Narrative Short Film
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
Best Experimental Film
Best Underground Film
Best LGBTQ+ Film
Best New Filmmaker
Best Music Video

THE TARKOVSKI GRANT
All selected filmmakers will receive The Tarkovski Grant, a film festival submission fee waiver package with an average value of about $500. This not only saves you a lot of money, but it also recognizes your work as something to watch for during the selection procedure, making a selection with another partner film festival more likely - but of course, never guaranteed. The Tarkovski Grant supports hundreds of filmmakers each year in their challenging journeys as independent filmmakers, by promoting existing films, no matter the genre, style or length. The Tarkovski Grant is supported by film festivals from all over the world. Find out more here: www.thetarkovskigrant.org

THE PRODUCER'S NIGHT NOMINATION
All selected films are also automatically in the running for The Producer's Night. Producer's Night is an opportunity for independent filmmakers to have their work screened to a private group of elite Hollywood producers. For many directors, it could mean their ticket to the mainstream. The exclusive screening will show the best of independent cinema from the past year's film festivals at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in West Hollywood. More information: www.producersnight.com

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO VIDEOMAKER
In an added effort to support new and emerging filmmakers, our festival will offer a free year of access to Videomaker's digital magazine to all filmmakers submitting their work. More information: www.videomaker.com

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO WHUSH.COM
All selected filmmakers will receive a free subscription to Whush.com for 3 months. Whush.com is a streaming service that has teamed up with over 20 film festivals worldwide, exclusively streaming official selections during the festival period. More information: https://www.whush.com

EXPOSURE
One of the biggest hurdles in an independent filmmaker's journey, is getting noticed. With thousands filmmakers out there trying to get exposure it's hard to stand out. Share your story with Final Cut Magazine, whether it be a press release on a new selection, project, winning an award, a one-on-one interview, ...

SUBMISSIONS
The Toronto Film Week accept all forms and genres. All non-English language films must be subtitled in English. Entry, accept the 'guaranteed selection submissions', does not guarantee acceptance into the festival. Submissions WILL NOT be returned. We also accept submissions that have premiered elsewhere and that may have distribution agreements already in place. Rough cuts and incomplete projects are not accepted. Multiple entries are allowed, however a separate entry form must be submitted for each. The festival has the capability to screen digital files.

EXHIBITION & SCREENING
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of the Toronto Film Week. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Toronto Film Week reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Toronto Film Week will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling. No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its selection. If chosen as an official selection, Toronto Film Week is granted the permission to exhibit the film at the Toronto Film Week and all associated screenings. Location and timing of any screenings of the film shall be the sole decision of the organizers of the Toronto Film Week. Filmmakers will be solely responsible for all costs resulting from the submission of the film to the Festival including but not limited to postage or insurance of the film, and expenses of your staff or any representatives of the film. Producer will indemnify the organisers of the Festival against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.

LOSS OR DAMAGE
Although every precaution will be taken to prevent loss or damage to materials while in the possession of the festival, The Toronto Film Week is not responsible should any materials be damaged while in transit to or from, or while in the possession of the festival.

ENTRY LIABILITY
The filmmaker holds the Toronto Film Week, its management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from entry. The filmmaker certifies to have full rights. Producer will indemnify the organisers of the Festival against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.

SCREENING FEE
The festival does not offer screening fees for its films. By submitting through FilmFreeway you are agreeing to NOT request a screening fee as a requirement for your film's participation in the festival, should your film get selected for the program.

WAIVER REQUESTS
Since the festival only requires a nominal entry fee and grants free submissions to local filmmakers and filmmakers who're eligible for the The Connecting Cultures Program (https://www.connectingculturesprogram.com) , we will NOT accept requests for other entry fee waivers.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dana Plays

    I am deeply grateful and honored to receive the Official Selection, Tarkovski Award and Audience Choice Award for OTTILIE MOORE'S PROTÉGÉ CHARLOTTE SALOMON, now streaming worldwide through May 12, 2026, provided by the festival's online option. The Toronto Film Week team does everything possible to advance the work of independent filmmakers. It is professionally curated and provides an inspiring and motivating experience. I give my highest recommendation for this festival.

    April 2026
  • Marta Capossela

    What a wonderful festival in Toronto! Thank you so much for awarding our short film “Measurements” the prize for Best Narrative Short Film. It was truly an honor to share our work with you and to be part of such a vibrant and inspiring event.

    April 2026
  • Christian Schulz-Quach

    Excellent experience from start to finish. The team behind this festival is highly motivated, well connected and truly brings a spirit of talent mentoring and support to the table. Of the many festival submissions we were involved in with our works so far, this one stands out.

    April 2026
  • Paul Janicki

    I had a fantastic experience at this festival and am very grateful for the opportunity to have my film screened under their banner.
    What I appreciate most about this festival is the fact that tickets were free to the public, in a city where nothing is free. Thank you so much for making art accessible to everyone! Keep fighting the good fight!

    April 2026
  • Being uk based was always going to be difficult to attend but we'll done to everyone who had work shown.. And many thanks to the Judges for awarding my short "The Journey" as best experimental film at the festival.. Really appreciated

    April 2026