Only to alumni filmmakers! We feel cold-hearted just writing this. No fee waivers (aside from alumni) will be considered.
We realize this means we will likely miss out on a lot of fantastic stories, but know that this decision was very carefully evaluated and is supported by our board.
Our theatre venues are professional year-round cinemas with Christie and Barco projectors, and Doremi servers.
Exhibition/Projection formats for feature films include DCP or Blu-Ray (with NTSC DVD back-up), while short films are ‘packaged’ in a series as feature-length.
Whatever the genre, we’re looking for films from all corners of the globe that have strong stories. Movies that make you question your own values; move you in some mysterious way; or make you laugh out loud. We are also uber-interested in music documentaries, food on films, spoken word, and filmmakers who are changing how we consume our cinema.
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Our priority is to program films (of all lengths) that have exclusive, Edmonton premiere status. Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta, Canada. Films which have had a theatrical screening in Edmonton, open to the general public, are not eligible for consideration. A cast and crew screening which is private and closed to the general public does not disqualify a film, but preference will be given to premieres.
Yes. Projects that are available to the public for purchase — in Canada — prior to EIFF are not eligible. Films that have screened theatrically in Edmonton to the general public before EIFF are also ineligible.
Jurors select our Grand Jury Awards in the Live Action, Animation, and Documentary Short Subject short film categories, which become eligible for Oscar® consideration without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules. Short filmmakers: EIFF is your final Oscar® qualifying festival of the year! We announce the three (3) Oscar® qualifying films in the Live Action and Animation categories on or before October 1.
You live in Alberta, or you grew up in Alberta and have moved away. You’re considered an Alberta filmmaker and are eligible for a discounted submission fee. Submit to the Alberta filmmaker category. If you are both an Alberta and alumni filmmaker, follow instructions for submitting as an alumni (below).
Filmmakers who have a Producer, Director, Actor or Writer credit on a film that screened at EIFF in the past five years are considered alumni and eligible for a full fee waiver. Send an email with the title of your film and the year it screened at EIFF to: [email protected]. Our team will then e-mail you a waiver code.
Absolutely! If your film is a better ‘fit’ in a category other than the one you submitted to, or if you submitted to the incorrect category, we will automatically ensure your ‘cinematic baby’ is moved to the proper category. Don’t stress!
No. Entry fees are non-refundable and the fees listed are per entry.
All accepted and non-accepted entrants will be notified of their selection status on or before August 1, via e-mail notification through your online submission tool.
We accept films in every language. All films with non-English dialogue must have English subtitles.
All submissions are screened and evaluated by EIFF Preview and Selection Committees. Their reports and decisions are final and confidential.
All filmmakers are invited, and we totally wish we could cover everyone’s flight and hotel rooms, but we just don’t have the resources.
To allow for time to test and inspect exhibition copies, EIFF must receive your exhibition copy by August 15 for short films and/or feature films.
EIFF requires a maximum of three (3) public screenings of the film.
Each year our programmers and jurors acknowledge outstanding, independent films — feature, short, and documentary — in a variety of categories. Some are tried, true, and traditional — Canadian Feature Film, International Feature, Documentary and Short Film Awards. For more Awards information, visit our awards page!
Landmark Cinemas 9 – Edmonton City Centre
10200 102 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 4B7
Metro Cinema at the Garneau
8712 109 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 1E9