Since 1995, The Victoria Film Festival (VFF) has presented the best Canadian and international feature, documentary, and short film to Victoria and Vancouver Island in a ten-day celebration of cinema. This year marks our 33rd festival! Eclectic and inspiring, the festival hosts a wide array of film directors, producers, distributors, and programmers as guests and participants. With a continuing legacy of great workshops, installations, networking opportunities, and the opening Gala, the 2026 celebration of film and filmmakers is taking place in British Columbia’s capital city February 5th -14th 2027!

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Film
Best Canadian Feature
Best Canadian First Feature ($1000 prize)
Best Documentary
Best Short Film ($500 prize)
Audience Favourite Feature
Cultural Currents Award ($1000 prize for film that best facilitates inter-cultural understanding/insights)

Rules & Terms

Deadline & Fees for Entries
Earlybird deadline: June 16, 2026
Regular deadline: July 31, 2026
Late deadline: September 5, 2026
Notification Date – Dec 31, 2026

VFF only accepts entries digitally.

Submissions
1. May be fiction, documentary, animation or experimental of short or feature length.
2. Only films completed in 2025 or 2026 will be considered.
3. Films which have received broadcast, streaming, or theatrical exposure in the Victoria B.C. area prior to the festival are not eligible.
4. Films previously available and accessible online, or will be prior to February 14th 2027, are not eligible.
5. Please include two film stills with your entry. These can be emailed or included with submission.
6. VFF only accepts online screeners for programming purposes. Entries can be submitted by secure password-protected internet link. The link must NOT be visible to the public.
7. If selected for the festival, exhibition prints may be presented via DCP or a ProRes file by January 10, 2027. Filmmakers must deliver final format as requested for festival. No exceptions. Shorts will be compiled into programs for screening. Digital delivery of titles is preferred.

Screening Access
The festival will provide a complimentary Guest Pass for two representatives from each feature (75+ minutes) presented and four complimentary tickets to one screening of the film. Short filmmakers will receive one complimentary Guest Pass and two complimentary tickets to one of the screenings of their film.

Program Selection
Entries will be reviewed by a Selection Committee appointed by the Festival Director and Program Manager. The Selection Committee provides a list of those works which it feels should be invited to participate in the VFF and will provide a short list of nominees for VFF awards. Entrants will be notified of the decisions of the Festival by Dec 30th, 2026.

Upon Acceptance
1. Digital delivery is strongly recommended. For physical DCP delivery all shipping costs to Victoria must be paid by the participant.
2. The festival will pay the cost of outbound shipping.
3. For international films, digital delivery is mandatory.
4. Promotional materials of selected films become the property of the VFF and can be used to promote the festival and the programs of the festival in all mediums.

Insurance
The Victoria Film Festival will make every effort to ensure the safekeeping of all films and videos submitted for exhibition. However, the applicant in applying to the festival agrees to release the Festival, its Officers, Directors, and other representatives from all claims arising in any way from the submission of materials by or on behalf of the Applicant, whether film, video or otherwise to the festival. If you wish to insure your film, please make arrangements with the Program Manager. You accept these conditions by submitting them to us.

Release
Your submission implies that you have the legal right to represent and submit this film for consideration along with your acceptance of The Victoria Film Festival regulations. By submitting this form, you also agree to allow the festival to use your film and its publicity materials for promotional purposes. Please agree below.

You accept these conditions by submitting them to us.

27 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Cory Thibert

    The team at the Victoria Film Festival are very responsive and approachable. The festival had an amazing industry weekend with great panels and guests, while still being small enough to feel personal. We had an amazing screening for our films Canadian Premiere. I loved the programming overall for 2025. I would highly recommend this festival and will be submitting again in the future.

    May 2026
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  • Kevin McDevitt

    This is a great film festival with awesome turnout. Really appreciate their working with Destroyed Cinema on some outside-of-the-box screenings with local bands in a rock club setting, which they sold out for our closing night screening of "Bike Short" along with the rest of their program. I was hoping to travel to Vancouver Island to attend but I ended up having a conflict for the screening date--hopefully we can make it up there next time!

    March 2026
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  • Maria Munro

    My experience with the Victoria Film Festival was truly wonderful. From the first email to the final screening, the communication and care from the programming and guest services teams made me feel valued and supported every step of the way. Each event was thoughtfully organized, the screenings well attended, the Q&As engaging, and the volunteers incredibly welcoming and helpful. I’m deeply grateful to have shared my film “Sisters” in such a warm, inspiring environment that celebrates filmmakers with such heart.

    February 2026
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  • Kate Green

    As a filmmaker, my experience with the Victoria Film Festival was truly excellent. The communication from the programming and guest services teams was clear, thoughtful, and timely from start to finish. Every event, screening, and meeting ran seamlessly, creating an atmosphere where filmmakers could focus on connecting and celebrating the work. The networking parties and industry events were vibrant, well-attended, and genuinely productive. It’s a festival that combines professionalism with warmth and care — an outstanding experience all around.

    February 2026
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  • Morgan Tams

    Fantastic little festival with a lot of heart. Really appreciated screening Green Valley to a sold out theatre at the Victoria Film Festival. Staff and volunteers were fantastic, I felt well taken care of and supported, the networking and industry events were great and the opening party was truly surreal. The films they programmed were a well curated and eclectic mix. Always a joy to visit Victoria and I highly recommend this festival.

    February 2026
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