Toronto Shorts International Film Festival is the largest short film festival in Canada.

Toronto Shorts is a non-profit organization that provides a showcase for the best short films from filmmakers around the world.

📣 ​3 TORONTO SHORTS FILMS WILL CONTINUE THEIR FESTIVAL JOURNEY IN NEW YORK.

We believe that short-form cinema and its creators should have their own premier film festival in Toronto deserving similar recognition given to the feature film.

Toronto Shorts is where films from all genres intersect. The heart of the festival is the quality and scope of extraordinary film programming which consists of a wide spectrum of categories from high to low budget films under 45 minutes.

Now in our 14th year, the festival has become a career stepping stone, establishing a tradition of discovering and promoting filmmakers who have gone on to Academy Awards Nominees, including :

2021 Oscar Nominee 'The Present' by Farah Nabulsi
2019 Oscar Nominee ‘Weekends’ by Trevor Jimenez
2018 Oscar Nominees 'Watu Wote - All of Us' (Germany) and 'The Eleven O'Clock' (Australia)

Toronto stands as the largest media market in Canada, it boasts the world-renowned Royal Ontario Museum, the massive Art Gallery of Ontario, the Soulpepper Theatre Company, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Toronto Shorts international Film Festival.

We showcase the best short films and its filmmakers from around the world.

Awards & Prizes

Best of the Festival
Best International
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Animation
Best Documentary
Best Experimental
Best Sci-Fi
Best Horror
Best Music Video
Best Web Series

📣 Three Canadian films will be selected to screen at the New York Shorts International Film Festival *A qualifying film festival for the Canadian Screen Awards.

If any award category does not meet the standard deemed award-worthy by the judges, it’s possible there will be no award given in that category.

Rules & Terms

REQUIREMENTS
Films must have been completed after Jan. 1, 2025
Non-English language films must have English sub-titles.
Works-in-progress will be considered, provided they are completed 3 weeks prior to the festival.
You may submit more than one film, but you must submit each film separately.

Film selection for the festival will be made by the screening committee.
All filmmakers will be notified via email of acceptance.

64 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Anna Hardwick

    What a great opportunity to showcase at TSIFF. Thanks for a fantastic fest!

    November 2025
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  • Andrea Ramolo

    I was honoured to have my film screen at this festival. The lineup of films was brilliant and so diverse. I hope to be back.

    September 2025
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  • Zoe Cleland

    Thank you so much to the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival for programming my film The Newcomer. Although I was not able to attend in person, my team had a great experience and enjoyed an excellent lineup of films. They spoke highly of the Q & A session after the screening and found the Toronto audience to be thoughtful and receptive.

    September 2025
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  • Victoria Kucher

    A wonderful festival that kicks off the fall film festival season in Toronto with a BANG! It was lovely to see so many people come out and connect with the films and the variety of stories that were showcased. Beautiful projection and sound. Friendly environment where filmmakers were keen to connect.

    September 2024
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  • Manju Subberwal

    The selection of “COLORS” short film for the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival was both surreal and deeply fulfilling. Watching it unfold on the big screen, surrounded by fellow filmmakers and an engaged audience, was a moment of pure emotion.
    One standout experience was the Q&A session, where the filmmakers shared how the film resonated with them. Discussing the creative choices and hearing their perspectives was a powerful reminder of why I chose this path. The festival not only showcased the film but also opened up a meaningful dialogue about loss and healing, which was truly rewarding.

    September 2024
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