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Breakthroughs Film Festival: deadline and submission guide | Circkit

All festivals

Tier 4

Breakthroughs Film Festival

Toronto, Canada

Submission deadline: 30 July 2026
Premiere: No premiere requirement
Formats accepted: Shorts, Documentaries

Official site

Last verified 25 June 2026

About Breakthroughs Film Festival

Breakthroughs Film Festival (BFF) is a Toronto not-for-profit devoted exclusively to short films in any genre by emerging women and gender-diverse directors (including non-binary, trans and gender non-conforming filmmakers), paying every artist an IMAA-schedule screening fee.

Awards this festival can qualify you for

CSA Animated · Canadian Screen Award — Best Animated Short
Acceptance into at least two CSA-eligible Canadian festivals qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Doc Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Documentary Short Film
Acceptance into at least two CSA-eligible Canadian festivals qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Feature Doc · Canadian Screen Award — Best Feature Length Documentary
Acceptance into at least two CSA-eligible Canadian festivals qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Live Action Short Drama
Acceptance into at least two CSA-eligible Canadian festivals qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

Breakthroughs Film Festival submission FAQ

When is the Breakthroughs Film Festival submission deadline?

The main submission deadline for Breakthroughs Film Festival is around 30 July 2026. Confirmed for the current edition.

Does Breakthroughs Film Festival require a premiere?

No premiere requirement. Breakthroughs Film Festival accepts films that have screened elsewhere.

Where is Breakthroughs Film Festival held?

Breakthroughs Film Festival takes place in Toronto, Canada.

Is Breakthroughs Film Festival a scam, or is it legitimate?

Breakthroughs Film Festival is a legitimate, established film festival: it is listed in Circkit's curated, human-vetted festival database, which deliberately excludes known scam festivals and certificate mills. As with any festival, confirm the current deadline and fee on the official site before you pay. You can also run Breakthroughs Film Festival through Circkit's free Scam Radar for an independent safety check.

Want an independent check? Run Breakthroughs Film Festival through the free Scam Radar.

Is Breakthroughs Film Festival right for your film?

Circkit scores this festival against your film, protects your premiere, and tracks the deadline for you. Free to start.

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