April 24, 2025

WIFF ANNOUNCES NEW LOCAL SHORT FILM PRIZE

WIFF Also Opens Submissions for the 2025 Festival

The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is proud to announce a new prize to be presented annually at the Festival to celebrate local film and filmmakers. A cash prize of $3,000 will be awarded to the best local short film, with the winner selected by an independent jury. WIFF is proud to be a part of the film community in Windsor and is committed to supporting films created locally.

WIFF is also pleased to announce that submissions for the 2025 Festival are officially open. This year, the Festival is scheduled to run from October 23 to November 2, 2025. WIFF is accepting submissions in three categories – WIFF Local (features and shorts), Canadian features, and International features. Learn more about each category below and submit through FilmFreeway.

“Coming off of our anniversary year, we look forward to celebrating film and filmmakers in new ways, including with our new prize for local shorts,” says Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer of WIFF. “Along with a great selection of local programming, we look forward to bringing the best of Canadian and international film to Windsor this fall for WIFF 2025. WIFF is proud to showcase films from over 40 countries, including many pre-release titles, new projects from beloved filmmakers, emerging talent, and independent films that may otherwise not be shown locally.”

WIFF Local

Every year, WIFF is proud to present an extensive slate of local programming, including feature-length and short films. The 2024 WIFF Local slate included 3 feature films and 20 short films. All WIFF Local submissions are reviewed and selected by an independent jury of industry professionals.

All eligible Local Short films will be considered for the new short film prize. WIFF is committed to celebrating excellence in local film with an annual cash prize of $3,000. An independent jury comprised of film industry experts selects the winner.

Submit to WIFF Local on the FilmFreeway portal here.

Canadian Feature Films

Every year, WIFF is proud to present an extensive slate of Canadian programming, including feature narratives and documentaries. Canadian film represented over 40% of the programming in 2024.

All submitted Canadian films will be considered for the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film. WIFF is committed to celebrating excellence in Canadian film by honouring Canadian films and filmmakers with an annual cash prize of $25,000. An independent jury comprised of film industry experts selects the winner. In 2019, the prize was established and awarded to Kuessipan directed by Myriam Verreault, in 2022 was awarded to Riceboy Sleeps directed by Anthony Shim, in 2023 was awarded to Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person directed by Ariane Louis-Seize, and in 2024 was awarded to Who Do I Belong To directed by Meryam Joobeur. Nominees for the award will be announced at a private event held in September during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Access the WIFF FilmFreeway portal here.

International Feature Films

Every year, WIFF is proud to present an extensive slate of international programming, including feature narratives and documentaries.

The 2024 Festival consisted of 213 films from over 40 countries, including 127 pre-release titles. Major international titles from the 2024 Festival included Conclave directed by Edward Berger, Anora directed by Sean Baker, Flow directed by Gints Zilbalodis, The Seed of the Sacred Fig directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, and The Substance directed by Coralie Fargeat, among many others.

Access the WIFF FilmFreeway portal here.

The 2025 festival is proudly presented by the Toldo Foundation.

Stay in touch with WIFF via the festival’s Facebook page, X (Twitter), Instagram, or by signing up to receive WIFF news via email by visiting windsorfilmfestival.com.

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WIFF ANNOUNCES NEW LOCAL SHORT FILM PRIZE

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