Submissions are now open for the 2016 Calgary Film Festival, which runs from September 21 – October 2, 2016.

The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a 12-day showcase of up to 200 multi-genre films from Canada and over 40 other countries. The festival hosts gala events, screenings, award ceremonies and special presentations. We host a large number of participating filmmakers from our backyard and round the world and connect them with the audience through post-screening question and answer periods, mingling at our events, and through panels and film talks open to the general public.

The recipient of CIFF’s annual Best of Shorts Award is now eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film / Live Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards®, without the standard theatrical run that a film typically needs to qualify for an Oscar® nomination.

DEADLINES
May 1, 2016 Early Deadline
June 1, 2016 Regular Deadline
June 13, Late Deadline (late fee applies)

AWARDS
Films invited to the 2016 Festival are automatically considered for nomination in all Award categories for which they are eligible. Nominations are made on the basis of achievement in form and content in their category by a jury of industry experts and leading cultural figures from Canada.
Award Categories (may be expanded or changed at any time)
● Discovery Award for Emerging Filmmakers (Feature films only – Documentary and Narrative categories) – Audience vote
● Alberta Spirit (Alberta Shorts films only) – Jury award
● Audience Choice Award (Feature & Short films – various categories)
● Best of Shorts Award ( short films only) – Jury award

GENERAL RULES
Participation in the 16th Calgary International Film Festival implies understanding and acceptance of the following Guidelines and Regulations:
Films submitted to the Alberta Features or Shorts Categories, which ARE NOT ALBERTAN, will be automatically disqualified.

The Calgary International Film Festival (“CIFF” or “the Festival”) accepts submissions of films of all lengths and subject matters for inclusion the possible categories: Galas, Headliners, Discovery (first feature filmmakers), Canadian Cinema, World Cinema (including USA), Documentaries, Shorts, Late Shows, and annual Spotlight programs (TBA).

SELECTION
Preference will be given to submissions that have not been distributed/screened theatrically or broadcast on television in Alberta prior to the 2016 Festival. All submissions are screened and evaluated by CIFF Preview and Selection Committees. Their reports and decisions are final and confidential. CIFF Programmers make final selections and determine in which section they are presented. Designation of a selected film’s program category, exhibition date(s), time(s), and location(s) is at the sole discretion of the Festival. In addition, the entrant grants CIFF the right to exhibit the selected film up to three times during the Festival, in addition to daytime Press and Jury screenings (closed to the public).

For more information, visit http://www.calgaryfilm.com