We welcome films and videos by Asian-identifying artists in Canada, the U.S., Asia and all over the world
We eagerly look forward to a hybrid festival in 2026 of both live in person screenings and events as well as digital presentations.
We are committed to the continued vigilance for the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and communities.
1) ELIGIBILITY
We require submissions that are produced with an Asian-identifying artist(s) in a major key creative role (behind the camera and/or on-screen).
We welcome films and videos of all genres, including but not limited to: narrative, documentary, short, animation, experimental, etc.
Eligible short film or video work submissions have a max runtime of 40 minutes.
For all submissions, we strongly encourage and prioritize works completed in the last two years ('25/'26). If your work was completed before 2025, please contact us before submitting.
If you are submitting in the free period YOU ARE LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 15 SUBMISSIONS. Submissions beyond these will not be viewed.
If you are submitting a previously submitted work, note that all re-submissions must have significant edits and changes for it to be re-considered. Please contact programming@reelasian.com for further clarification.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you are submitting a rough cut and update your submission later, we cannot guarantee that the updated version will be reviewed.
2) SUPPORT MATERIALS
SCREENERS - Secure online screener links are the previewing method. If you need to submit in another format please contact submissions@reelasian.com to make arrangements.
INFORMATION - Provide concise logline, synopsis, artist statement/cover letter, behind-the-scene and publicity photos, (and trailers for feature films) etc. *We actually read these, and they are very helpful for our programming process.
SELF-IDENTIFICATION - Please share how you self-identify. Reel Asian aims to be a more diverse and inclusive festival. To help us measure and improve upon these efforts, we ask you to respond to the questions regarding self-identification as best you can. Responses are used for research and statistical analyses to help us understand your relationship to your film, recognize gaps in our programming, and better serve the filmmaking community.
3) EXHIBITION FORMAT, PRINT TRAFFIC DETAILS, and ACCESSIBILITY
Selected applicants must provide DCP for theatrical screenings and a high-quality digital video file for online exhibition of their film or video work. Please contact the festival directly if you have other formats for consideration.
Reel Asian is not responsible for transfer costs for the appropriate exhibition format.
All films must have captions (either open captioning, closed captioning, or the option of captioning). Films shown as part of the in-person festival WILL BE EXHIBITED WITH OPEN CAPTIONS.
All other access features must be identified (ie. audio description tracking, foreign language subtitles, etc)
4) ARTIST FEES
Reel Asian is committed to paying artist fees to directors in selection and follows standard rates set by the Independent Media Arts Alliance (http://www.imaa.ca/). Artist fees will be paid post-festival.
5) DISCLAIMER
By submitting to this festival, you hereby grant the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival permission to screen and otherwise use the aforementioned title (the “Work”) in connection with the 2026 festival. You represent and warrant that you have all the rights in and to the Work and/or you have the authority to grant Reel Asian the rights to screen and otherwise use the Work. Your film festival acceptance also grants Reel Asian permission to use stills and excerpts from the Work for promotional and publicity use.
Should unforeseen events alter the format of the film festival, Reel Asian will contact and inform filmmakers in selection of how such events may affect and change the nature of their status.
