Independent filmmakers from Canada and around the world are invited to submit their work for the 17th Toronto Polish Film Festival (TPFF), one of Canada’s leading showcases celebrating Polish cinema and culture. The festival returns from November 17–22, 2026, highlighting outstanding films that explore Polish stories, artists and heritage while fostering cultural exchange through cinema.

Submissions are now open through FilmFreeway, giving both established and emerging filmmakers the opportunity to present their work to audiences in Toronto.

Important Submission Dates

Filmmakers wishing to participate should note the following submission deadlines:

• Earlybird Deadline: August 1, 2026
• Regular Deadline: September 30, 2026
• Late Submission Deadline: October 20, 2026
• Finalist Notification: November 2, 2026

The festival encourages early submissions, allowing entrants to take advantage of reduced entry fees while ensuring their projects are reviewed well before the final deadline.

Celebrating Polish Stories Through Film

The Toronto Polish Film Festival showcases recent achievements in Polish cinema alongside international productions that feature meaningful Polish themes or creative involvement.

Eligible films may be:

• Produced or filmed in Poland
• Directed by a Polish filmmaker
• Created with significant Polish cast or crew members
• Focused on Polish history, culture or contemporary issues
• Connected to Toronto, Canada and the Polish immigration experience

The festival also warmly welcomes submissions from Canadian filmmakers of Polish heritage, helping strengthen cultural ties between Poland and Canada through storytelling.

Awards Across Multiple Categories

This year’s competition features awards recognising excellence in several filmmaking categories, including:

• Feature Fiction Film (over 60 minutes)
• Short Fiction Film (under 30 minutes)
• Feature Documentary (over 45 minutes)
• Short Documentary (under 30 minutes)
• People’s Choice Award for feature films

These awards celebrate both artistic achievement and audience appreciation while highlighting the diversity of contemporary Polish cinema.

Spotlight on Emerging and Diverse Voices

For its 2026 edition, the festival is placing particular emphasis on showcasing returning filmmakers, women directors, young filmmakers under 30, and LGBTQ+ creators. Organisers are also seeking films that celebrate the lives and work of Polish artists through documentaries, feature films and short productions.

To qualify, films must have been completed during 2025 or 2026, be no more than 24 months old, and must not have been previously submitted to the festival.

Films featuring dialogue in languages other than English must include English subtitles.

Preparing a Successful Submission

Initial entries must be submitted online using a secure screener through FilmFreeway. Projects selected for the final round of judging will be required to provide a high-quality Blu-ray disc or Digital Cinema Package (DCP) suitable for public exhibition.

Selected filmmakers should note that accepted films cannot be withdrawn once chosen for screening and must not be freely available online in their entirety before the festival.

Supported by organisations including the Polish Filmmakers Association, the Toronto Polish Film Institute, the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto, and the Toronto Arts Council, the Toronto Polish Film Festival continues to provide an important platform for Polish storytelling and international cinematic collaboration.

Complete submission guidelines, eligibility requirements and entry details are available through the official Toronto Polish Film Festival FilmFreeway page.