COMING SOON // From the Creators of DaVinci International Film Festival.

Grit & Glory: The Ultimate Sport & Adventure Doc Film Festival Event.

RecFest is more than just a film festival; it's a celebration of the power of sports and recreation documented through film and photography. This one-day powerhouse festival event kicks off with an invigorating sunrise hike (or challenging scramble race) up one of Vancouver's most beautiful mountains, followed by our RecFest Breakfast.

Refuel and connect with filmmakers and fellow enthusiasts at the summit breakfast, a fantastic networking opportunity to share stories and fuel the creative fire.

The afternoon unfolds with a captivating line-up of the best sports and recreation short form documentaries, each one guaranteed to inspire and ignite your passion for active living. Engage with filmmakers in insightful Q&A sessions, delve deeper into the stories behind the lens, and discover fresh perspectives on the world of movement.

Alongside the films, a stunning collection of photography will be on display, vying for recognition in our competition category. As the sun sets, we cap off the day with an unforgettable bonfire After Party and Awards Ceremony, a chance to relax, reminisce, and build lasting connections under the stars.

Join us at RecFest and experience the perfect blend of physical activity, cinematic storytelling, and community. #recfest

Awards & Prizes

Best Documentary
Best Sports & Recreation Photography
Showcase at DaVinci International Film Festival (The Grove, Los Angeles CA)

Rules & Terms

RecFest is a platform for short form documentaries centered around sports recreation.

Sports Recreation refers to physical activities done for enjoyment and well-being, but that also have some structure and might involve competition, though often less intense than organized sports.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Shorts are 40 minutes or less, including all credits.

Short documentaries (40 minutes and under) are eligible to apply regardless of television broadcast history and online availability. However, short documentaries that have not screened previously in the region may be given priority.

Shorts must have been completed on or after June 1st, 2023.

If the documentary is in a language other than English, it must be subtitled in English.

Documentaries submitted previously to DAVINCI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Los Angeles) will not be accepted, unless the film has undergone significant content changes (60% or more) and meets all other submission requirements. Permission to reapply is required.

Promotional, instructional or industrial films, and raw documentation of performances are not eligible.

The entry fee is nonrefundable.

All film entries selected for the festival grant RecFest the rights to use footage, stills and/or titles and information from the film for promotional purposes.

All films submitted must be free from any legal disputes and the filmmaker must have cleared all rights for music and exhibition.

RecFest reserves the right to change any information contained in this document (including festival dates, venues, events, awards and eligibility requirements) without further notice.

SUBMISSIONS GUIDELINES (FILM):

Filmmakers may submit more than one documentary. Each documentary must be accompanied by its own entry form and fee.

Please submit a secure online screener.

All filmmakers will be notified of their status by June 2025 via the submission contact email address. Please keep us informed of any changes regarding your contact information by emailing docs@recfest.ca (PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A .COM)

If your documentary is selected to screen in the festival, you will need to provide the following:

• A DCP or final film file upload by the required deadline. Each filmmaker is responsible for any delivery costs of DCP, including any applicable customs fees.
• Press kits, trailers, promotional materials and additional screeners for preview

Note: RecFest reserves the right to change any of this information (including festival dates, venues, events, awards and eligibility requirements) without further notice.

TERMS OF ENTRY:

You hereby grant RecFest (“festival”) all rights necessary to exhibit and promote the submitted film at the 2025 festival. You represent that such exhibition will not violate or infringe upon any rights whatsoever (including copyright, trademark, musical or contract right) of any person or entity. You further represent that you are authorized to submit the submitted film and, if selected, will deliver the DCP or film file to the festival office. Additionally, you indemnify the festival from any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, and attorney's fee arising out of or in connection with third parties in regards to the screening of said film. Further, you hereby agree that you have read and agree to the General Rules and Regulations for submissions to RecFest 2025.

SUBMISSIONS GUIDELINES (PHOTOGRAPHY):

This is a competition for sports photography.

Each submission must have:

- Title
- Author’s name
- Author’s country
- Author’s Statement /or Presentation Note / or Letter of intent

Submitter MUST BE the author of the picture. If you are an agent or a representative, you must specify it in the credits section in your project profile.

Amateurs and professionals are accepted, any device is accepted. RecFest Photography will focus on the quality of your work, not your status or the camera you used.

By submitting, you give RecFest full and complete permission to show, showcase, exhibit your submitted work with no limitation, via any network, digital or print, on Official websites, including its parent company, DaVinci International Film Festival for all non-commercial purposes.

Some Editing is acceptable.

RecFest management reserve itself the right to disqualify any submission that would be considered unethical, aggressive or disrespectful.

Submissions are online only.
Entries are final and non-refundable.