Celebrating 'True-Indie' Filmmaking & Connecting Global Talent
The Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival runs just before New York, and the two are closely tied. With the border so close, we use the timing to connect filmmakers on both sides, and we often watch talent make the move from Toronto down to NYC. Toronto is frequently where that journey starts.
It’s built for filmmakers near the start: first and second films, shorts, low-budget features. Canadian indie cinema has a distinct, confident voice, and Toronto is its home in the Network. We used to run Vancouver too, but merged the two so Canadian filmmakers get one focused festival rather than a split field.
Selected films screen online to a global audience, with in-person and online networking around them, so you build contacts on both sides of the border. Films that stand out in Toronto go forward to the Lift-Off Season Awards at year end, judged across all 12 city festivals.
Toronto Lift-Off Season #17 screens in June 2026. Submissions are now open on FilmFreeway for Season #18. Selected films get an online screening to a global audience, and entry to the festival’s networking events. Standout films get a place in the Toronto Network Round, and winners are shortlisted for the 17th Lift-Off Season Awards.
Recent Winners
Festival Events
Each festival hosts a series of online and in-person events, connecting filmmaking talent across the globe
Focus Group Feedback
Meet fellow filmmakers, exchange feedback and discuss your projects. Focus Group participants attend an online meeting to pitch their work before participating in the Feedback Session.
In-Person Networking Speeddate
Join us in the city for a showcase & networking event held in conjunction with the festival’s online screenings. Attendees chat to everyone in the room in a 'speed-date' style networking session.
Online Networking SpeedDate
Pitch your future projects or share previous work. Attendees can screen a trailer or pitch deck before meeting with everyone in a 'speed-date' style network session.
Questions?
Once a year, as part of the Lift-Off season. Screenings & events run in June.
Emerging independent filmmakers, especially first and second-time directors working in shorts and low-budget features.
Films screen online to a global audience, with in-person networking in Toronto alongside the festival.
Through FilmFreeway: Click here.
Winning films are shortlisted for the Lift-Off Season Awards, judged at the end of the season across all 12 city festivals.