2026 Mulan International Film Festival Rules and Regulations
1. Mission Statement
The Mulan International Film Festival (hereinafter referred to as “MulanIFF”) is a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to showcasing the best of Chinese-language films and pan-Chinese cinemas. The aim of the Festival is to facilitate appreciation of pan-Chinese cinemas across Canadian communities and inspire the audience to discuss contemporary conflicts, challenges and opportunities from a global perspective.
2. Dates
The seventh edition of the Mulan International Film Festival will be held in Toronto, Canada, from Saturday, November 21th to Thursday, December 3rd, 2026.
3. Festival Programmes
MulanIFF selects and presents films in five distinct programmes: Fountainhead, Lili vs. Leviathan, Yin and Yang, Retrospective, and Documentaries. The categorization and screening schedule of each selected film are determined at the sole discretion of the MulanIFF programming team. Films presented in the Lili vs. Leviathan, Yin and Yang, Retrospective, and Documentaries programmes are by invitation only. Once a film is confirmed to participate in MulanIFF, it cannot be withdrawn from MulanIFF’s programme.
3a. Fountainhead
The Fountainhead programme celebrates and promotes emerging talents and their works with creative originality.
3b. Lili vs. Leviathan
The Lili vs. Leviathan programme serves to advance the appreciation of female filmmakers’ and actresses’ endeavours, as well as to recognize the identity and power of female protagonists in films.
3c. Yin and Yang
The Yin and Yang programme is dedicated to films that reflect on social issues related to gender inequality, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation, thereby advocating equality and solidarity.
3d. Retrospective
The Retrospective programme provides a vantage point to delve into the ebb and flow of history, society, culture, and the spirit of the times. Through these cinematic wonders, one embarks on a journey upstream, seeking the essence of being Chinese, of being of Chinese descent, and of the Chinese cultural heritage.
3e. Documentaries
The Documentaries programme presents non-fiction works that engage with a particular subject, theme, or social reality. Through observation, testimony, and inquiry, the programme offers nuanced perspectives on contemporary life, historical memory, and the evolving experiences of Chinese communities.
4. Submission to the Fountainhead Programme
The Fountainhead programme accepts submissions of short films and/or feature-length films via FilmFreeway. Programming priorities may alternate on a biennial basis, depending on available resources, curatorial direction, and the festival’s evolving goals.
In 2026, the programme will select both short films and feature-length films.
This programme recognizes filmmaking achievement through presentation of balloted Audience Awards, including one CAD$2,000 cash award for feature-length film, and one CAD$500 cash award for short film. The Audience Awards go directly to the director(s) of the film.
The jury will vote and present the Best New Director award to the director of a feature film, and the Award for Excellence in Artistic Exploration to the director of a short film. The directors will receive CAD$2,000 and CAD$500 cash, respectively.
A standard screening fee of CAD$300 for a feature-length film and a standard screening fee of CAD$75 for a short film will be paid to the copyright owner of the film after the screening concludes. MulanIFF will discuss with the copyright owner to pay additional screening fees if more than one screening will need to be booked.
Optional Feedback: For the first time, MulanIFF’s Selection Committee may provide feedback on submitted films upon request, subject to a review fee. Requests for feedback will be confirmed after the notification date, with further details regarding the feedback format to follow. Feedback will be sent within one month after the festival concludes.
The film must meet the following requirements and conditions:
a. A feature-length film, by MulanIFF’s definition, has a running time of 60 minutes or more, including credits; a short film, by MulanIFF’s definition, has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including credits.
b. The film has been completed on or after January 1st, 2024.
c. Narrative, documentary, experimental and animated films are accepted.
d. Either the main language of the film (>50%) is a Chinese language, or the film focuses on Chinese culture or the lives of the people residing in China and/or the Chinese diaspora.
e. Only one film per director is accepted, be it a feature-length film or a short film.
f. For feature-length films, only the first or the second feature-length film of a director are eligible.
g. Films must have at least Toronto premiere status. It has not been presented at any motion picture event in the Greater Toronto Area; and it has not been released in the Greater Toronto Area in any form, including but not limited to theatre, broadcast, home entertainment, online streaming and Video On Demand (VOD).
h. An online screener of the film must be provided and made available for streaming. No DVD, Blu-ray or other physical screeners are accepted.
i. A work-in-progress version of the film can be accepted and its status should be clearly indicated on the submission. However, any updated version(s) will not be viewed.
j. The applicant represents and warrants that they hold all the copyrights within and related to the submitted film, and has authority to grant MulanIFF the rights to promote and screen the submitted film.
If a film made by an emerging director does not meet one or more than one of the requirements and conditions listed above, MulanIFF encourages the filmmaker to reach out to us directly for other screening opportunities.
5. Submission Deadlines and Fees for the Fountainhead Programme
May 15th: Submissions open
June 15th: Early Bird deadline (CAD$10 for short film, CAD$20 for feature-length film)
July 15th: Regular deadline (CAD$15 for short film, CAD$30 for feature-length film)
August 8th: Late deadline (CAD$20 for short film, CAD$40 for feature-length film)
Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
Submission fees can be waived at the sole discretion of MulanIFF on a case-by-case basis. Before submitting a film, requests need to be made via email: submission@mulanfestival.com.
6. Selection Process for the Fountainhead Programme
In 2026, the Fountainhead programme will present a maximum of 5 feature-length films and 10 short films.
The Artistic Director chairs on the Selection Committee consisting of programmers, assistant programmers and Fountainhead alumni filmmakers. Final selection decisions will be made at the sole and absolute discretion of the Committee.
The Artistic Director designates a Jury consisting of members from film institutions and the film industry. Jury-voted award decisions will be made at the sole and absolute discretion of the Jury.
7. Official Invitation
All official invitations will be sent out via FilmFreeway and/or email on or before August 31, 2026. Each film invited to MulanIFF will receive a Certificate of Participation if a request is made at the time of confirming participation.
8. Language and Subtitles
All films must be presented in English, or their original language(s) with English subtitles. For films in a language other than Mandarin Chinese, both Chinese and English subtitles are strongly preferred. The costs of subtitling are to be borne by the filmmaker or a relevant body.
9. Screening Formats
Only Digital Cinema Package (DCP), QuickTime ProRes 422 HQ and 35mm print are accepted, unless special arrangement is made with the MulanIFF programming team.
10. Print Traffic
All screening materials must be received by MulanIFF at least by September 30, 2026. Shipping costs to MulanIFF are to be borne by the filmmaker or a relevant body. Otherwise, MulanIFF reserves the right not to accept the package.
MulanIFF pays for return shipping as requested by the filmmaker or a relevant body.
Because of the rising costs of international shipping, MulanIFF prefers online transmission of screening materials. Special arrangement may be made with the MulanIFF programming team.
11. Copyrights
MulanIFF and its directors, members, officers and volunteers, will not be held responsible for unauthorized use of any copyrighted materials within or related to the selected film. MulanIFF reserves the right to disqualify any film with unauthorized copyrighted materials at any time.
12. General
Participation in MulanIFF implies acceptance of all the aforementioned rules and regulations. MulanIFF reserves the right to rule, at its sole and absolute discretion, on cases and situations not covered by these rules and regulations.
Contact:
For submissions to the Fountainhead programme, please email submission@mulanfestival.com.
For press inquiries, please email media@mulanfestival.com.
For all other inquiries, please email mail@mulanfestival.com.
