Telefilm Canada is investing $225,000 to support 27 Canadian film festivals through its General Admission Festivals Program. 

This first intake of the General Admission Festivals Program, for festivals starting between October 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027, provides streamlined funding to small-scale and emerging film festivals. The program supports events that showcase Canadian films and talent while helping connect Canadian stories with audiences across the country.

List of festivals supported by Telefilm:

• 2026 ANCHOR Fest  
• 2026 Blood in the Snow Film Festival  
• 2026 British Columbia Environmental Film Festival  
• 2026 Broad View International Film Festival  
• 2026 Chilliwack Independent Film Festival  
• 2026 CUFF.Docs Documentary Film Festival  
• 2026 Devour! The Food Film Fest  
• 2026 FOGFEST Horror Film Festival  
• 2026 GIRAF  
• 2026 Hellifax Horror Film Festival  
• 2026 Planet in Focus International Environmental Film Festival  
• 2026 Silver Wave Film Festival  
• 2026 WNDX Festival of Moving Image  
• 2026 Yellowknife International Film Festival  
• 2027 Abbotsford Film Festival  
• 2027 Freeze Frame International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages  
• 2027 GEMFest  
• 2027 Ottawa Black Film Festival  
• Cinéfranco Grand Public 2026  
• Cinémental 2026  
• Festival CinéSEPT 2027  
• Festival Filministes 2027  
• Festival Images en Vues 2026  
• Festival International de Cinéma Adapté de Montréal 2026  
• Festival Objectif Cinéma Desjardins 2026  
• Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois et francophone de Vancouver 2027  
• Vues dans la tête de… 2027  

The supported festivals reflect the diversity of Canada’s festival landscape. They showcase a wide range of genres, audiences and perspectives, including youth cinema, animation, documentary, environmental films and genre cinema, and the work of creators who belong to underrepresented groups. 

Demand for the program remains steady, with 48 eligible applications received in this first intake, a level comparable to last year. The decision-making process takes into account the promotion of Canadian content and talent, as well as Telefilm’s objective of funding an equitable and balanced portfolio in terms of regional representation and diversity of voices. 

The second intake of the General Admission Festivals Program will take place from October 20 to October 27, 2026, for eligible festivals starting between April 1 and September 30, 2027. 

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About Telefilm Canada

Founded in 1967, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation that invests in the development, production, promotion and distribution of the Canadian and Indigenous audiovisual industry. As the largest investor in Canadian cinema, Telefilm supports the economic power and cultural impact of the audiovisual sector in collaboration with industry players. Additionally, Telefilm provides recommendations to the Department of Canadian Heritage regarding the certification of treaty-based audiovisual co-productions, and administers programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Letterboxd.

Media-related inquiries:
Joyce Richards
Advisor, Strategic Communications
Joyce.Richards@telefilm.ca