Short Film Competition

2026 Call for Entries

One of the featured programs of our fall festival is the Annual Short Film Competition. This audience favourite is an exciting program that presents a selection of short films submitted by regional, national and international filmmakers. This is a juried event and the official selections will be publicly screened as part of the Barrie Film Festival’s annual Short Film Program Showcase in October.

 

Submission Deadlines
Earlybird: August 14, 2026
Final Deadline: September 4, 2026

 

Films should be no longer than ten (10) minutes in length (including credits) and all genres are eligible including narrative, documentary, animation and experimental film. Corporate and promotional films are not eligible.

 

Video: BFF Shorts | Advice for Filmmakers: Filmmakers in order of appearance: Andrew Korogyi, Brendan Hiles, Preston Carruthers, Mitch Graszat, Faith Howe and Cameron Killingsworth. Produced by: Travesty Productions (created in 2019)

 

Categories:

 

Canadian High School: High School films (1–10 minutes). Open to Canadian Secondary School students (grades 9-12). All genres are eligible. Film must have been completed after January 1, 2024. Student Short Film submissions MUST be a project completed by a student during their enrollment at a post-secondary institution. Proof of enrollment (student ID) may be requested. Early bird: Free; after August 14: $15

For high school filmmakers within Central Ontario, there is an additional opportunity to enter with our regional Central Ontario Youth Short Film Festival (COYSFF), also found on FilmFreeway (deadline/run times/criteria will differ to this competition).

 

Local Short: Regional short films from Barrie, Orillia, and Simcoe County (1–10 minutes). Simcoe County is located between Lake Simcoe (east) and Georgian Bay (west), approximately one hour north of Toronto. To qualify, at least one key member of the creative team (e.g. writer, producer, director, cinematographer, lead actors) must currently reside in Barrie, Orillia, or Simcoe County, or have resided in the region within the past five years. Film must have been completed after January 1, 2024. Early bird: $15; after August 14: $25

 

Canadian Live-Action Short: Canadian live-action short films (1–10 minutes). Submissions may be fiction or non-fiction, and all genres are welcome. Open to Canadian filmmakers. Film must be completed after January 1, 2024. Early bird: $20; after August 14: $30

 

Canadian Animated Short: Canadian animated shorts (1–10 minutes), across all styles and techniques—from hand-drawn and stop-motion to digital and experimental works. Open to Canadian filmmakers. Film must have been completed after January 1, 2024. Early bird: $20; after August 14: $30

 

International Short: International short films (1–10 minutes). Open to all independent filmmakers outside of Canada. All genres accepted, fiction or non-fiction, including animation. Films that are not in English must include embedded English subtitles. Film must have been completed after January 1, 2024. Early bird: $20; after August 14: $30

 

There will be winner awarded in each of the five categories.

The “People’s Choice” is awarded to one of the films screened at the Shorts Showcase in October. Votes are cast by the audience immediately following the showcase and the award is presented as part of the Shorts Awards Ceremony.

 

Guidelines

To be eligible, films must be no longer than ten (10) minutes in length (including credits).

This is a juried event and official selections will be publicly screened as part of the Barrie Film Festival’s annual Short Film Program Showcase to be held in October 2026.

Entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway in digital format (MP4, MOV).

All filmmakers submitting a short film confirm that they hold all necessary rights for their entry, including any music and other copyrighted material used in the film. By submitting, the entrant confirms that all required permissions, licences, and clearances have been obtained.

 

Entries must have been completed after January 1, 2025 and must not exceed ten (10) minutes in length (including credits).

• Entry fees are non-refundable
• Films in languages other than English must include embedded English subtitles.
• Films previously submitted to this competition are not eligible.
• Submissions must be presented in high resolution (minimum 1920×1080 / 1080p).
• Only completed films will be accepted; works in progress are not eligible.
• Any usage of Artificial Intelligence must be disclosed upon submission. This will not disqualify the film from consideration.
• Films only need to be submitted in one category. All films submitted will be considered for the category they are best suited by the programming team.
• Submission deadlines are at 11:59 PM EST of the posted date

 

Submissions received by the closing date of competition will be reviewed by a jury. Entries in the Live-Action Short category will be assessed on the basis of storytelling, direction, creative vision, technical execution, originality, and overall impact. Entries in the Animated Short category will be assessed on the basis of storytelling, originality, animation technique, visual artistry, sound design, and overall creative excellence. The decisions of the jury are final and the results will be communicated to the entrants via supplied e-mail. Select Prizes will be awarded in an awards ceremony directly following the Short Film Showcase (October 2026).

A brief description or synopsis is required with your submission. While not mandatory, you’re welcome to include a promotional electronic press kit—such as high-resolution stills, short bios, or additional materials—via your film’s FilmFreeway page.

The Barrie Film Festival makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all credits in its programs and promotional materials; however, it cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

 

Please Note:

By submitting your film, you grant the Barrie Film Festival permission to screen your work during the festival dates, at no charge to the festival, and if selected, to use it for promotional purposes, in any media. We reserve the right to disqualify submissions that do not meet the competition guidelines. By entering, you confirm that you hold all necessary rights and permissions to submit your film and authorize its exhibition. You agree to hold the Barrie Film Festival, its staff, and representatives harmless from any claims or expenses (including legal fees) related to copyright, trademarks, credits, publicity, or exhibition.

 

We look forward to seeing your film, enter by CLICKING HERE