The Future of Film Showcase (FOFS) is a Canadian not-for-profit media arts organization presenting short films and debut feature films from emerging Canadian Filmmakers, while at a crucial stage in their emergence as an artist and storyteller. FOFS elevates work by women, BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, and other emerging creatives from traditionally marginalized communities, and fosters the future of Canadian film by providing burgeoning artists and filmmakers with professional development opportunities, as well as a national platform through an annual film festival.

FOFS 2023 will be a hybrid festival of virtual and in-person screenings. All government protocols will be strictly observed.

Award winners filmmakers at the Festival will be offered a broadcast deal with CBC Gem should their film be invited to screen at the Future of Film Showcase.

The Future of Film Showcase is a qualifying festival by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.

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"The festival (FOFS) has grown in scale thanks to its expanding audience and partnerships, attracting a similar demographic of its filmmakers – Canadians 18 to 40, eager to support independent Canadian filmmaking" - Playback Magazine

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As always, we have no premiere or production timeline requirements. All films that have screened online as a part of a film festival are also eligible for consideration.

FOFS will not honor any requests for submission-fee refunds. Refunds will not be issued to any Applicant for any submission, regardless of selection for FOFS 2023, for any reason, including changes to FOFS 2023’s dates, venues, or format that FOFS may announce at any time.

Awards & Prizes

People's Choice Award for Best Film
Best Film Award
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Sound

Rules & Terms

To be eligible for submission, your short film must meet the following criteria:

• Studying Film in a Canadian institution at the time of production.

• Very little to no distribution of their work (for example, your films exclusive rights have not been purchased for distribution throughout Canada).

• Has not received significant funding, including Telefilm production funding, but excluding Talent to Watch funding.

• Has not screened at more than 10 of the Film Festivals listed here: https://telefilm.ca/wp-content/uploads/annexes-programme-de-promotion-internationale-en13-mai-2021.pdf

• All entries must be either in English or contain English subtitles. Non-English entries submitted without subtitles or supplementary printed translations will be automatically disqualified.

Submission Process:

• Future of Film Showcase accepts entries via FilmFreeway.com, a user-friendly submissions platform. FilmFreeway offers HD online screeners via Vimeo and YouTube.

Terms and Conditions:

• All genres will be considered for inclusion in the festival. Once a work has been submitted, it may not be withdrawn.

• Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry into the Festival and to use all music, images and content in the entry.

• Entrant will allow usage of clips from the entry and all related publicity material submitted for promotional use in print, web and at live Festival events.

• If selected, full details of your work, including an image, short synopsis, short biography and website link will be included in our website and/or the festival program.

• Entrants shall inform the festival of any change to contact details.

• Entrant confirms that the work provided is a Canadian Production and, if requested, will provide any form of verification to demonstrate such a declaration is the truth

• Future of Film Showcase is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The Competition reserves the right to refuse entries. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Future of Film Showcase from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. Entries will not be returned.
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Wendy Xu

    I had an amazing time meeting both local and international filmmakers here! Everyone at FOFS, from the founder, programmer, and volunteers display incredible passion for cinema. Blessed to have participated.

    July 2022
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  • Rebeccah Love

    This is the best festival for short filmmakers in all of Canada.

    July 2021
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  • Callahan Bracken

    Future of Film Showcase is a really really wonderful festival that truly encourages diversity in youth voices. Everyone who works for the festival is incredibly kind and communicative. I've been lucky enough to have a film in the festival for the last 3 years, and every year I'm blown away by the selections. There really aren't a lot of festivals this welcoming and entertaining.

    June 2019
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  • Max Shoham

    This is an outstanding festival! I was lucky to have one of my films screen this year, Zac and Eric have put together a phenomenal series of events honouring filmmakers, from photo shoots to screenings, to a sensational after-party. Seeing your film on a big screen is a rare thing for young filmmakers, the Future of Film Showcase brings together so many creatives - I was lucky to be included this year! Thanks so much Zac and Eric!

    May 2019
    Helpful
  • March Mercanti

    An amazing festival. The team is very hospitable to the filmmakers and offer some great networking opportunities. The screening was sold out and the after party was great. I would submit my work here again 100%.

    May 2019
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