The Toronto Film Week is an annual week-long event showcasing independent films with an edge. The event was created by independent filmmakers, for independent filmmakers, with the sole purpose to showcase and screen new and upcoming talent.
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Running in association with the Toronto Arthouse Film Festival (screens in Fall), the Toronto Film Week (screens in Spring) focuses on the unconventional, the unusual, the underground, the intuitive, the innovative, the minimalistic and the true artists of our time.

All screenings will take place at
(The) Fox Theatre, 2234 Queen St E in Toronto.

The Toronto Film Week is a true arthouse festival in every sense. Aiming to inspire, motivate and award new talent.

The Toronto Film Week is an official partner festival of The Producer's Night Los Angeles (www.producersnight.com)

‘OFF ON’ SELECTION
Next to our physical screenings we’ll also be screening online with the special OFF ON SELECTION. The OFF ON Selection will go online one week prior to the opening of the physical part of the festival and will stay online until one week after the last day of the physical festival. Viewers will be able to watch, but not download your film. If needed we can geo-block your film to our region.
We’re open to any genre (narrative, web series, made for tv, documentary, experimental …) and especially any duration (which is always an issue for the physical part of the festival). Selected filmmakers will receive all official selection perks (The Tarkovski Grant, The Producer’s Night nomination, …) and are in the running for any of the award titles. When you submit your film for consideration to both a physical section and the Off On Selection it is possible to be selected for both, but this is of course not guaranteed.
Filmmakers that submit their film only to any of the other sections (so any other than the Off On Selection) will not be selected for an online screening.

PROUD PARTNER OF THE BIGGER SCREEN
Toronto Film Week is supported by The Bigger Screen, an organization that aims to make film as an art form more accessible and more inclusive. A short overview of their projects:

- Supporting Film Festivals: Film festivals are not only a place to share films, but they are a safe haven for film makers to connect, share, and learn. The Bigger Screens supports and engages with over 25 respected international film festivals from mainstays like the 61st Ann Arbor Film Festival and the Brussels Independent Film Festival to emerging events such as the Venice Film Week and The Producer’s Night Los Angeles. These events bring filmmakers and filmgoers together, providing that place to connect and engage in a comfortable setting, away from Hollywood glitz and glamour.

- Connecting Cultures Program: Each year, The Bigger Screen selects at least ten countries and grants filmmakers from those areas the ability to submit their work free of charge to partner festivals all over the world. This opens the door of film exposure to those who may not otherwise be able to enter. As we support inclusivity and shareable films, this program exemplifies our mission. Check out https://www.connectingculturesprogram.com to see if your country is included in this year’s program and submit your work for free.

- Local Filmmakers Program: To encourage rising talent, we lowered the festival submission fee to local talent and even made it for free when submitted before the Extreme Early Bird Deadline. This provides a great opportunity for local filmmakers to enter the international film scene. Think global, act local, right?

- Inclusive Audience Program: Our screenings are always low or even free of charge to provide opportunity for interested film goers to view up and coming, challenging, and inspiring pieces of art, encouraging students, seniors, and those in underprivileged environments to share the experience of film and cinema. We welcome film goers, regardless of income and financial status.

- The Tarkovski Grant: All selected filmmakers will receive The Tarkovski Grant, a film festival submission fee waiver package with an average value of about $500. This not only saves you a lot of money, but it also recognizes your work as something to watch for during the selection procedure, making a selection with another partner film festival more likely - but of course, never guaranteed. The Tarkovski Grant supports hundreds of filmmakers each year in their challenging journeys as independent filmmakers, by promoting existing films, no matter the genre, style or length.

Awards & Prizes

The selected films will compete for the following awards:
Best Narrative Feature Film
Best Documentary Feature Film
Best Animated Feature Film
Best Narrative Short Film
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
Best Experimental Film
Best Underground Film
Best LGBTQ+ Film
Best New Filmmaker
Best Music Video

THE TARKOVSKI GRANT
All selected filmmakers will receive The Tarkovski Grant, a film festival submission fee waiver package with an average value of about $500. This not only saves you a lot of money, but it also recognizes your work as something to watch for during the selection procedure, making a selection with another partner film festival more likely - but of course, never guaranteed. The Tarkovski Grant supports hundreds of filmmakers each year in their challenging journeys as independent filmmakers, by promoting existing films, no matter the genre, style or length. The Tarkovski Grant is supported by film festivals from all over the world. Find out more here: www.thetarkovskigrant.org

THE PRODUCER'S NIGHT NOMINATION
All selected films are also automatically in the running for The Producer's Night. Producer's Night is an opportunity for independent filmmakers to have their work screened to a private group of elite Hollywood producers. For many directors, it could mean their ticket to the mainstream. The exclusive screening will show the best of independent cinema from the past year's film festivals at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in West Hollywood. More information: www.producersnight.com

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO VIDEOMAKER
In an added effort to support new and emerging filmmakers, our festival will offer a free year of access to Videomaker's digital magazine to all filmmakers submitting their work. More information: www.videomaker.com

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO WHUSH.COM
All selected filmmakers will receive a free subscription to Whush.com for 3 months. Whush.com is a streaming service that has teamed up with over 20 film festivals worldwide, exclusively streaming official selections during the festival period. More information: https://www.whush.com

EXPOSURE
All selected filmmaker will be invited for an exclusive one-on-one interview on www.iFilmFestival.com. The interview will appear on www.iFilmFestival.com, and will be shared on the festival's Facebook page.

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSIONS
The Toronto Film Week accept all forms and genres. All non-English language films must be subtitled in English. Entry, accept the 'guaranteed selection submissions', does not guarantee acceptance into the festival. Submissions WILL NOT be returned. We also accept submissions that have premiered elsewhere and that may have distribution agreements already in place. Rough cuts and incomplete projects are not accepted. Multiple entries are allowed, however a separate entry form must be submitted for each. The festival has the capability to screen digital files.

EXHIBITION & SCREENING
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of the Toronto Film Week. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Toronto Film Week reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Toronto Film Week will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling. No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its selection. If chosen as an official selection, Toronto Film Week is granted the permission to exhibit the film at the Toronto Film Week and all associated screenings. Location and timing of any screenings of the film shall be the sole decision of the organizers of the Toronto Film Week. Filmmakers will be solely responsible for all costs resulting from the submission of the film to the Festival including but not limited to postage or insurance of the film, and expenses of your staff or any representatives of the film. Producer will indemnify the organisers of the Festival against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.

LOSS OR DAMAGE
Although every precaution will be taken to prevent loss or damage to materials while in the possession of the festival, The Toronto Film Week is not responsible should any materials be damaged while in transit to or from, or while in the possession of the festival.

ENTRY LIABILITY
The filmmaker holds the Toronto Film Week, its management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from entry. The filmmaker certifies to have full rights. Producer will indemnify the organisers of the Festival against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.

SCREENING FEE
The festival does not offer screening fees for its films. By submitting through FilmFreeway you are agreeing to NOT request a screening fee as a requirement for your film's participation in the festival, should your film get selected for the program.
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WAIVER REQUESTS
Since the festival only requires a nominal entry fee and grants free submissions to local filmmakers and filmmakers who're eligible for the The Connecting Cultures Program (https://www.connectingculturesprogram.com) , we will NOT accept requests for other entry fee waivers.
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nicholas Koscik

    My film was selected for Toronto Film Week 2024, and I have nothing but great things to say about the festival and its staff! Maarten and the team have been incredibly communicative and kind throughout the entire process. The screening venue and lineup were excellent. It was an excellent experience from start to finish! I highly recommend submitting to TFW!

    April 2024
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  • Joshua J. Stewart

    I am pleased to have been a part of the 2024 screenings with my film "The Data Scraper"! The networking meet-and-greet was relaxing and informative. The theatre and party had a nice atmosphere, while being well-accommodated by our friendly host Maarten Cornelis. The filmmakers present were gracious towards one another, along with expressing their admiration for each other's work. The post-screening interview gave us the chance to further express our motivations and work process behind the films, followed by a warm and supportive reception from the audience.

    This experience was well worth the 5 hour in-province road trip. I hope to visit this festival again, whether I'm featuring a new film or vacationing to enjoy downtown Toronto!

    April 2024
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  • Antoine Girard

    Really nice festival! Maarten was a great host, great theater, great films. Overall an amazing experience

    April 2024
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  • Nils Agdler

    I am honored being a part of Toronto Film Week and receiving the Tarkovski Grant. I strongly recommend all festivals in the "Tarkovski" network, since it gives filmmakers the opportunity to submit to many festivals for free, if you are officially selected in one of there festivals.

    April 2024
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  • Connor Kujawinski

    Me and my team had the pleasure of being selected for our short film, "A Little Longer" that played during the Toronto Film Week 2024. And it was a terrific experience. Maarten and his team made us feel welcomed and comfortable. And it's clear that a lot of time and energy was spent on organizing proper networking opportunities. It was an honor to be selected amongst other very talented filmmakers, as the selection of films is without-a-doubt one of the strongest I've has the pleasure of being a part of.

    Would love to come back next year!

    April 2024
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