OFFA (Oakville Festivals of Film and Art) is proud to celebrate 11 years in 2024, with our week-long festival happening June 19th - 25th. From the moment you arrive, you will understand why this social issues and event-oriented festival is so loved by filmmakers. We offer an intimate and effective networking opportunity for filmmakers (conducted through a full Industry Summit that accompanies the festival), as well as an immersive, film screening and arts experience for our audiences. We recognize filmmakers in all genres who tell great stories, celebrate diversity and explore social issues, while sparking meaningful discussion.

For over a decade, we have been bringing the social-issues-oriented Oakville Film Festival to local, Canadian and international filmmakers, giving them a chance to participate in a truly community-oriented festival with national and international appeal. The 2024 festival will be mostly live, with some virtual screenings. From our live gala premiere film screenings that encompass the work of passionate musicians, dancers, and artists; to our full week of festival screenings at our local independent cinema, drive-In theatre and professional, performing arts centre; to our enlightening Q&A sessions; from collaborative networking socials to our professional live and virtual workshops, Master Classes, and panels, you will soon discover why the Oakville Film Festival has become an important stop on the festival circuit. We welcome you to a small community that has a big heart!

Good story-telling is paramount: our thought-provoking features and documentaries about the human condition, speak to the diverse social issues that impact our community, and the world. Festival highlights include issues that are predominant in our community, such as those impacting women, families, immigrants, and Indigenous and BIPOC communities. As the festival happens over National Indigenous People's Day, we are looking for Indigenous films for a special GALA event during the festival. We value inspiring stories that reveal the indomitable nature of the human spirit, as well as those that highlight difficult issues such as mental illness, addiction, and ageism, bullying, or human trafficking. Our selections include Canadian and international feature films, short films, documentaries, and webisodes.

We have a strong history of attracting diverse filmmakers from around the world, who attend the event to talk directly with audiences about their work, in a friendly, intimate and inspirational environment. Our Industry Summit brings filmmakers together to learn, collaborate and socialize with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for films. Supporting local filmmakers and giving them an opportunity to showcase their films in front of a supportive audience is as key part of our mission. The juried competitive festival awards programme includes 10 different prizes, including cash, in kind prizing for filmmakers, and a beautiful, glass custom-designed trophy.

Check us out at ‪www.offa.ca‬

1. Best Feature Film or Documentary Award: features a cash prize, as well as a beautiful engraved glass trophy.

2. Best International Short Film: features a cash prize, as well as a beautiful engraved glass trophy.

3. Best Canadian Feature film or documentary: Features a cash prize, in-kind prizing, as well as a beautiful engraved glass trophy.

4. Best Canadian short film: features a cash prize, in-kind prizing, as well as a beautiful engraved glass trophy.

5. Best Student film: features a cash prize, in kind prizing, as well as a beautiful engraved glass trophy.

6. Best Canadian Director: features a cash prize, in-kind prizing, as well as a beautiful engraved glass trophy.

7. Best International Director: features a cash prize as well as a beautiful engraved glass trophy.

8. Audience Choice Award (audience chooses) Best Short Film: features a cash prize, as well as a beautiful engraved glass trophy.

9. Audience Choice Award (audience chooses) Best Feature or Documentary: features a cash prize, as well as a beautiful engraved glass trophy.

10. Best Indigenous Film: features a cash prize as well as a beautiful engraved glass trophy.

We do not accept features longer than two hours, feature films must be 90 minutes or more, and documentaries can be feature length, or 45 minutes or more. If you submit a ONE HOUR or ONE HOUR 20 minutes documentary and we accept it, it will be programmed with another short documentary. We accept short films up to 20 minutes long, We do not accept pornography.

If accepted, your film could be screened either live, or in a digital format, or both. At this time, due to the COVID 19 pandemic, OFFA reserves the right to modify the delivery of its festival programming based on government rules and regulations related to the pandemic. At this time, our festival is planned as a hybrid event, with both digital and live screenings.

If you are successful with features or doc submissions and we do a live screening, we would prefer delivery of a DCP for the festival screening. HOWEVER, if you have a short film we accept any HD Quality digital file delivery. If the film is to be screened online, we would require an HD quality video file. We also have a deal with Film.ca, our lead venue partner and for the creation of DCPs at heavily discounted rates for our filmmakers, which you have access to if your film is accepted.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • jeonghui an

    From start to finish, the Oakville Film Festival was nothing short of amazing. The festival's team was professional, and Tori, the Shorts Programmer, was incredibly supportive throughout the process leading up to the event date. The event itself was a celebration of diverse storytelling and connecting with fellow filmmakers was a memorable and inspiring experience. Thank you, the Oakville Film Festival, for this wonderful opportunity and unforgettable experience! I am honored to have been part of such a fantastic event.

    August 2023
  • Anthony Assad

    Wasn’t able to attend but got an opportunity to discuss my short film alongside some other filmmakers in a Q&A conducted online which was fantastic. Communication with the organizers was always prompt, friendly and professional. Thanks Oakville!

    July 2023
  • Bégan Short Film

    It was our first selection and we received the news with great happiness! Although we couldn't be present, it was an amazing experience and lovely to follow virtually!

    July 2023
  • David Peck

    Thank you OFFA 10. We were thrilled to be a part of this years event. It was an incredible experience. The film selection was terrific. The Industry day was excellent and well received and the studio tour and lounge for film makers was a very nice touch. Thank you for a rewarding and memorable few days. Thanks to Wendy and her incredible team and to the volunteers and all the sponsors who helped to make this happen.

    July 2023
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much David we were thrilled to have the Premiere of Broken Courage at the festival!

  • Tee Schneider

    This festival was a such pleasure to be a part of. The Industry day produced some the best panels I've attended at any festival or industry market (at a gorgeous venue), the networking opportunities were great, the food was delicious and I'm so happy to have done the studio tour. Couldn't have asked or a better experience.

    July 2023
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Tee, so glad you enjoyed our Industry Summit and enjoyed the panels!