Rules

ALTFF

RULES

Please read the following rules before submitting your work.


  • We only screen the 10 Best Film of the Festival Finalists for each edition; all other films marked Semi-Finalists/Nominees are eligible for IMDb-approved awards - for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 our live screenings are subject to proceed based on local (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) COVID-19 laws and restrictions. However, our awards list will always be posted on time - the event dates for each edition.
  • AltFF accepts narrative, documentary, animation and experimental films.
  • Entry fees are non-refundable.
  • All films must be in English or have English subtitles.
  • No limit on the number of submissions or production date.
  • All films must have an online screener.
  • AltFF does not pay screening fees for chosen films (chosen films includes Nominees, Finalists, Award Winners) at this time

  • Filmmakers retain the rights to their films.
  • Filmmakers are responsible for acquiring copyrights, licenses, and releases for media used in their films.
  • Submission categories are as follows:

Feature Films (45 minutes and over)

Long Short Films (20 to 45 minutes)

Short Films (5 to 20 minutes)

Super Short Films (1 to 5 minutes)

Ultra Short Films (15 to 59 seconds) - *This category is NOT eligible for the Best Film of the Festival Award. However, submissions remain eligible for IMDb Awards*

Posters  (your film posters can be entered here)

  • NOTIFICATION STATUS:
    ***FINALIST - means your film has been chosen as 1 of the 10 Best Film of the Festival Finalists
    ***SEMI-FINALIST (starting with the Spring 2022 Edition this will be known as NOMINEES) - means your film is in the running for an award or awards in your submitted category (Ultra Short, Super Short, Short, Long Short, Feature, Poster)
  • Example of category awards (but not limited to):

BEST ANIMATION

BEST COMEDY

BEST DOCUMENTARY

BEST DRAMA

BEST EXPERIMENTAL

BEST HORROR

BEST THRILLER

BEST SCI-FI

BEST ACTOR

BEST ACTRESS

BEST CAST

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

BEST WRITER

BEST DIRECTOR

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD (voted by live screening audience *if live screening is cancelled die to COVID regulations, then there is no Audience Choice Award.)