ABOUT TRINIDAD+TOBAGO FILM FESTIVAL

WHO WE ARE
Trinidad+Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) is the world’s foremost Caribbean-focused film festival. In 2026, we are delighted to be celebrating our 20th anniversary! #FORWARD

WHAT WE DO
Trinidad+Tobago Film Festival celebrates films from and about the Caribbean and its diaspora through a flagship annual festival, a Carnival film series and a UK-based screening series as well as other year-round screenings. We also seek to nurture the growth of Caribbean cinema by offering a wide-ranging industry programme and networking opportunities.

WHY WE DO IT
The festival was initially conceived in 2005 by film historian, academic and producer, Dr Bruce Paddington with the unique intention of showing only Caribbean films. This remains our purpose today.

We are driven to share with Caribbean audiences (here at home and away), compelling, nuanced films that explore the ever-evolving nature of Caribbean identity and becoming because we believe that our stories, made by us, matter, and you are our most important audience! We have seen that access to appreciative audiences is critical to building the professional capacity of our region’s filmmakers and to developing a vibrant film culture which centres the Caribbean. With this focus, we confront and interrogate cultural biases and stereotypes while spotlighting the richness and complexity of our Caribbean experience.

The Caribbean remains an under-represented region in the global film industry, and TTFF is a vital ground for talent discovery and industry access for industry players and filmmakers charting their careers.

OUR PROGRAMMING
TTFF selects films under a range of programmes as follows:

The Caribbean programme (competitive) comprises feature-length films (60 minutes +) from the Caribbean, the diaspora, and films by international filmmakers made in and about the region.

The Origins programme (curated) is non-competitive, and consists of short and feature-length films from South Asia and West Africa.

Short + mid-length films: This competitive programme comprises films under 30 minutes in length (shorts) and films between 30 and 59 minutes in length (mid-length) from the Caribbean and its diaspora.

The New Media programme (curated/ non-competitive) comprises avant garde and experimental film and video works from artists and filmmakers in the Caribbean and its diaspora.

The Student films programme (competitive) spotlights narrative and documentary films with a Caribbean focus made by student filmmakers (whether secondary or tertiary) in the Caribbean.

Awards & Prizes

Best documentary film
• Feature-length
• Mid-length
• Short

Best fiction film
• Feature-length
• Mid-length
• Short

Best film made in T+T

Paddington Prize for best graduating student film

Audience award for best T+T film

Rules & Terms

TTFF SUBMISSION RULES

Trinidad+Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) seeks to highlight excellence in filmmaking through the exhibition of fiction and documentary films and New Media works made in T&T, the Caribbean and its diaspora.

• We therefore accept submissions from Caribbean filmmakers in the region and the diaspora, and international filmmakers with films from or about the Caribbean or its diaspora. We also accept films from filmmakers in West Africa and South Asia.

• Submissions must have been completed after 01 January 2023.

• Films screened in competition are eligible for one or more jury prizes.

• All submissions must be made online, via FilmFreeway.

• Films must be Caribbean or Trinidad and Tobago Premieres (Note: preference will be given to the former). Occasionally, however, the Festival considers films that have already been shown publicly in T+T. Please contact us directly if you have a film that falls into this category, or if you have any other queries, at hello@ttfilmfestival.com.

• Films must not be screened at other Caribbean-focused film festivals during the months of June to September 2026.

• THE FINAL DEADLINE FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS IS 01 MAY 2026. THIS DEADLINE WILL BE STRICTLY FOLLOWED.

• Filmmakers will be notified whether or not their films have been accepted by 26.06.2026.

• TTFF reserves the right to determine the eligibility of the submissions to be screened at the Festival, the appropriate venues and time slots for the screening of films, and to use excerpts of the films for publicity purposes. All films submitted must have applicable clearances and the Festival will not be held liable.

32 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Elspeth Duncan

    I am grateful to have been a part of TTFF25 and to have received the 'Best Film Made in T & T' award for my film Charlotteville Tails. The phrase that kept coming to my mind for this festival was 'intimate and expansive'. A lot of work was undoubtedly put into it behind the scenes and it came across as well organized, with carefully selected films and people (programmers, jury, etc). I was particularly impressed by the judges' citations—intelligently written, in ways that made each winning film sound very compelling. Volunteers were very pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable. The new venue (One Woodbrook Place/CinemaONE IMAX) and surrounding Woodbrook facilities created a great festival hub, like a film village, with partner venues in easy walking distance. As with anything, there is always room for growth and improvement, which increased funding, media involvement and implementation of evolving, innovative ideas will always enable. Best of luck for future editions!

    October 2025
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  • Stephanie MELYON-REINETTE

    Tremendous ! i WAS HAPPY THAT ototeman couldbe valued and screened in Trinidad ! I reckon the topic I tackle in my performance film is connected to their history as well! Thank you for bridging thegap between the French-speaking Caribbean and the English-speaking Caribbean. We have so many pending conversations! And through films, performances, poetry, ART in general ! These are our best channels !

    September 2024
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  • Jonathan Isaac Jackson

    Was grateful to be apart of the 2023 T+T Festival. Looking forward to visiting the festival in the future and am hoping that this festival continues to highlight great films from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the Caribbean.

    October 2023
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  • Amanda John

    Excellent curation of films! Great Quality! Congratulations to the hard working team of organizers. Opening night was spectcular! Perhaps next time at the opening, filmmakers, especially with films being screened, could be welcomed by a rep from the Festival and be given a photo op upon entry on the red carpet.
    Creating more opportunity to network and to participate in workshops, which sometimes clashed with screenings, would be a plus! Overall it was an enjoyable experience. Well Done!

    October 2023
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  • Jordan K. Paul

    Being half-Trinidadian, I was truly honored to be a part of this festival. The festival team was very communicative. I really wish I got to attend. I will definitely try to be there next year. They did a great job with social media and showing the activities. Great festival!

    October 2023
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