MISSION & OBJECTIVE

The "Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival" (TAEFF) mission is to celebrate the independent motion picture and literary arts by providing a platform for filmmakers and writers to have their work awarded and screened.

Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival is a two day festival that kicks off with a networking hour, followed by quality films. We follow the films with a Q&A from the filmmakers and actors in attendance. Then follow the screenings with additional networking opportunities.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Welcome to our Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival (TAEFF) in the true spirit of the city of Toronto, Ontario, champions independent cinema that isn't afraid to push boundaries. The festival showcases emerging and established filmmaking talent from Canada and around the world.

TAEFF is established by a team of filmmakers and film critics. The members of the jury are film scholars, filmmakers and critics from Canada & around the world.

The festival is located in Toronto, Canada.

Showcase your film at the Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival, Network with filmmakers and industry members from across the globe! Plus, your chance to win awards and potentially lock down a distribution deal with our partnered film distributors.

With that, we just partnered with an filmmakers network, and this year all of our winners will be automatically invited to join and connect with film industry personnel in this exciting new way!

What better place to screen your work than in Toronto, Ontario, Canada? Submit now to be featured as part of the 2025 Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival!

Awards & Prizes

Awards are presented in the following categories by the Festival Jury

All winners will receive Trophy & Certificates.
All Official Selected will receive "Official Selection Certificates".

Awards & Prizes are only one part of this great festivals amenities. Don't miss out on this great opportunity and festival to get your name and project recognition out there.

The Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival will present cash awards in the following categories for 2025 winners at the Festival.

$1,000 Cash Prize for Best Narrative Feature
$1,000 Cash Prize for Best Documentary Feature
$500 Cash Prize for Best Narrative Short
$500 Cash Prize for Best Documentary Short

* Certificates and Trophy

• Best Feature Film
• Best Feature Documentary
• Best Short Film
• Best Short Documentary
• Best Covid19 Film
• Best Super Short Film
• Student Film
• Best Music Video
• Web/TV Series
• Experimental Film
• Animated Film
• Inspirational Film
• Drama Short Film
• Comedy Short Film
• Horror Short Film
• Thriller Short Film
• Action Short Film
• Sci-Fi Short Film
• Fantasy Short Film
• LGBTQ Short Film
• Advertising

Rules & Terms

A) Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival (TAEFF) Eligibility Requirements

1. We accept films of all genres.
2. Films completed on or after Jan 1, 2017 are eligible for consideration. Non-English films must have English language subtitles.
3. Short films must be under 40 minutes and features should be 40 mins and over.
4. Multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted. A separate submission and a separate entry fee must accompany each entry.
5. Entrants confirm and warrant required legal authority to submit the entry.

B) Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival (TAEFF) Submission Guidelines

1. Films must be submitted via online screener hosted by Vimeo, you tube, on DVD or on Blu-ray disc.
2. Only complete entries (including fee payment) will be considered.
3. Entrants are permitted to submit works-in-progress (i.e., without final color correction or sound mixing), but please note that the programming committee will only consider the version submitted. Subsequent cuts or replacement copies will only be accepted at the request of the programming committee.
4. No filmmaker or writer will be either discriminated against or favored by their country of origin, language, age, race, education, ideology, or by their economic resources.

C) TAEFF Judging & Selection

Films are selected for Festival presentation by the Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival programming committee. If a film is selected, the Festival office will contact the entrant by phone or email. The Festival does not provide feedback or screening notes to entries that are not selected.

All competitive film categories are judged during or before the Festival.

D) TAEFF Entry Fees

Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are not refundable. Fees cover registration, registration notification, consideration by the programming department, and notification of the results. These fees may be paid by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express).

E) We do not accept:
1. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • John Schlag

    While I am grateful, always, to have a film accepted by a festival, I’m sorry, but this festival was not a good experience. In order to do better next year, the showrunners of this festival would need to: stop talking to each other constantly, in the theater, during the screenings; stop using brightly-lit cell phones, in the theater, during the screenings; stay to watch films other than their own, made by themselves and their friends: recruit an audience (their statement of audience size is vastly exaggerated); provide networking with other filmmakers; provide better food options; answer email communications in a more timely fashion; upgrade the technical quality of image and sound. This was a first-year effort. Here’s to better results next year.

    July 2025
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  • Brian Craig Hinderberger

    It was great to be a selected short documentary for this festival. It was a joy to share the news with the team of Longevity Beta Tester.

    July 2025
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  • Anne Trenning

    The effort and excellence offerred from the team presenting this festival is unparalleled. Driven to create an avenue for filmmakers and viewers alike, this outreach recognizes creativity at its highest form. We appreciate the kind acknowledgement of our film and the encouragement of our message. Thank you to everyone involved for your efforts on behalf of others.

    July 2025
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  • Doug MacDougall

    I appreciated being part of this film festival for the second consecutive year. Thank you so much for the hospitality and professionalism throughout the entire festival. I also wish to thank the jury panel for honouring my webseries Once Upon a Crime. I hope to return in future with new projects to share!

    June 2025
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  • Donald D'Haene

    had an amazing time at Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival!! what a blast! thanks for honouring my doc from Canada Interpreting Erik! Donald D'Haene on instagram @donalddhaene1961

    June 2025
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