Niagara Canada International Film Festival (NCIFF) is an IMDb qualifying festival conducting an innovative international film festival and invites participation from aspiring and upcoming independent filmmakers. A unique film Festival, focusing on opportunity creation for global filmmakers.

[Niagara Canada International Film Festival is to promote new movie makers, exchange of knowledge, information, ideas & culture between Canadian & other nations in context of their social and cultural ethos. NCIFF also promotes friendship and co-operation among people of the world through the medium of films & documentaries.]

Our festival supports independent cinema across formats and aims to showcase the best talent & cinema from across the globe.

Also, The Niagara Canada International Film Festival is an annual showcase of World Cinema created by world film makers. Films include short, feature, documentaries and Social & Music which explore the culture, history and tradition. It is a unique festival to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the film industry from Canada, USA, Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.

Reaching a potential audience of millions of Ontario-based movie lovers, NIFF (Niagara Canada International Film Festival) provides a unique cultural destination for Niagara and Ontario based ex-patriots to connect with the culture of home through the magic of cinema.

💡 Our Vision:

"Bringing the World to Niagara Falls, Canada through a shared passion for film and the power of storytelling.”

📢 Our Mission

The Niagara Canada International Film Festival is dedicated to the discovery and promotion of Film Makers, Storytellers and Artists and sharing with audiences. Everyone has a story to tell, our goal is to inspire and encourage people to share their stories using the media of film and to create events that enable the sharing of those stories across communities and beyond.

We accept all genres of films from all over the world. We create an opportunity for filmmakers to get their films judged and let them compete with other filmmakers. We perform a comprehensive evaluation process and select only high-quality films.  

★ IMDb-Qualifying Film Festival ★
https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0073754/

Awards & Prizes

🏆 Winners will receive Trophy, Certificates & Prices.

📹 In person Events include Redcarpet, Screening & Award ceremony

Jury awards categories:

🏆 Best Feature
🏆 Best Documentary
🏆 Best Short
🏆 Best Animated Short

❤️ All films are eligible for the Audience Choice Award

❤️ All official Selection will get printed certificate at the events.

🏆 Best international narrative Short
🏆 Best Canadian narrative Short
🏆 Best Documentary Short
🏆 Best Animated Short
🏆 Best Experimental Short
🏆 Best Student Short Film
🏆 Best International Feature Film
🏆 Best Directing in Feature Film
🏆 Best Actor
🏆 Best Actress
🏆 Best Music Video
🏆 Best Directing
🏆 Best LGBT'S Film
🏆 Best First Time Filmmaker
🏆 Best Horror
🏆 Best Comedy
🏆 Best Animation
🏆 Best Web Series/ Tv Pilot
🏆 Short Script

🏆 Feature Script

Rules & Terms

A) Eligibility Requirements

1. We accept films of all genres.
2. Films completed on or after Jan 1, 2019 are eligible for considerations. All entries must be either in English or subtitled in English. Dialogue lists are not accepted.
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.
6. Only HD format films are screen at festival.
7. Entrants confirm and warrant required legal authority to submit the entry to the Festival and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.

B) Submission Guidelines

1. Only complete entries (including fee payment and screener) will be considered.
2. 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.

C) Judging & Selection

Films are selected for Festival presentation by the Niagara Canada International 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 the Festival.

D) Entry Fees

Each entry must be submitted with the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are non-refundable. Fees cover registration, registration confirmation, review and consideration by the programming department, and notification of results.

Entry fees may be paid by credit card, including Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

The Festival does not process or issue refunds under any circumstances, including if an entrant withdraws their submission after payment.
43 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • The Hero Within

    Being part of the Niagara Canada International Film Festival was truly an honour and a deeply meaningful experience for our team.

    As the creators of The Hero Within, an educational short film centered on children’s social-emotional growth, we were incredibly grateful to be welcomed into a festival that values storytelling with heart, purpose, and impact.

    From the beginning, the communication, professionalism, and support from Gordon and the NCIFF team made us feel genuinely seen and valued as filmmakers.

    What stood out most was NCIFF’s commitment to celebrating diverse voices and meaningful stories from around the world. The festival creates space not only for entertainment, but for films that inspire reflection, spark important conversations, and create lasting impact.

    Receiving recognition for The Hero Within was especially meaningful because our mission extends far beyond filmmaking. We are using story, animation, education, and lived experience to help children better understand their inner world, strengthen self-awareness, and develop the courage and resilience to face the future with hope.

    We are deeply grateful to Gordon and the entire NCIFF team for creating a platform that uplifts independent filmmakers and honours stories that can truly make a difference in the world.

    Thank you for believing in the power of film to inspire change.

    We are honoured to have been part of NCIFF 2026.

    — Tammy Vallieres
    Co-Creator, The Hero Within

    June 2026
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  • David Conroy

    Great festival and very well organized. I’m delighted to be recognized and awarded by them for our feature film.

    June 2026
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  • Brenda Holdsworth

    All film makers were made to feel welcome and everything ran smoothly. The vibe was all fun and festive! We had a great time - winning was a bonus!

    June 2026
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  • lucinda luvaas

    I'm delighted that my short film "Super Hwy" was selected to be part of the Niagara Canada International Film Festival! It's a real encouragement and thanks once again for your support!

    June 2026
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  • Shilpa Arora

    Niagara Canada International Film Festival was an amazing experience. The festival was well-organized, professional, and incredibly welcoming to filmmakers.
    We were honored to have our short film, The Waiting Room, screened at the festival and even more grateful to receive the Best Foreign Short Film Award. This recognition made the experience truly unforgettable for our entire team.
    The organizers created a wonderful platform for independent filmmakers to connect, share stories, and celebrate cinema. Thank you, NCIFF, for your support and hospitality. We highly recommend this festival and look forward to participating again in the future

    June 2026
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