Hamilton Film Festival

About Hamilton Film Festival

Hamilton Film Festival is a Canadian Screen Award qualifying festival in Hamilton, Ontario, recognized by the Directors Guild of Canada. The 21st annual edition runs October 16 to 25, 2026. It has no late fees, so the submission fee is constant from opening to the final deadline. Categories include student/first-time, shorts, mid-length, features and screenplays.

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.

Hamilton Film Festival submission FAQ

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