submit your film

submit your film

Please read our Eligibility Guidelines before filling out this form.

Submission fees are non-refundable.

Submission Form fields marked with an * are required.

The form must be submitted and the submission fee paid before the final deadline in order to be considered. Payments are accepted by credit card and charged once we receive a copy of your film.

If you prefer sending an e-transfer, or have any questions, please reach out to hello@sortofastudio.com before filling out the form.

Why Submit?

  • Share your film in a safe and supportive environment

  • Connect with fellow filmmakers, film enthusiasts, artists, and industry professionals

  • Participate in panel discussions and community conversations

  • Be part of building something new: a festival rooted in representation, creativity, and cultural exchange

Eligibility Guidelines

We welcome films from:

  • Emerging and established filmmakers working across genres and styles, including: Narrative Shorts, Documentaries, Experimental Films, and Animation

  • Filmmakers submitting a film must have full rights to the film being submitted

  • Projects that highlight underrepresented perspectives and cultures

  • Short films, documentaries, experimental work, and narrative pieces

We especially encourage submissions from underrepresented voices: Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ filmmakers, disabled creators, and storytellers whose perspectives are often overlooked.

Key Dates

  • Early-bird $25 (Nov 10-Dec 31, 2025)

  • Regular deadline $30 (Jan 15th, 2026)

  • Final deadline $40 (Feb 1st, 2026)

  • Entrants will be notified of selection by Feb 15th, 2026

Festival Date: [April 2026] at Westside Studio (70 Ward Street), Toronto — Official date(s) announced first week of January 2026.

Submission Requirements

  • Films must be under 22 minutes in length.

  • Non-English films must include English subtitles.

  • Accepted formats: Online Screener (Vimeo/YouTube link with password) for review. If selected, filmmakers will be asked to provide a high-resolution file (ProRes .mov or .mp4).

Awards and prizes

Our festival is about celebration, not competition. Each film selected is honoured as part of a collective of storytellers whose voices shape our world. Instead of a traditional prize hierarchy, we spotlight films through:

  • Audience Choice Recognition – because community connection matters most.

  • Programmer’s Picks – highlighting works that moved us in unexpected ways.

  • Emerging Filmmaker Recognition – shining a light on new voices stepping into their craft.

Submission Form