Shift Festival is a queer, feminist, and POC-focused film festival in Ottawa celebrating bold stories from underrepresented voices. Over two days, we showcase short films, features, panels, and community workshops that center Black, Indigenous, and queer experiences, highlighting joy, resilience, and creativity.

Eligible Film Categories
SHIFT Film Festival accepts the following formats:

- Short Films (fiction, documentary, experimental, animation)
- Mid-length Films
- Feature Films
- Essay films and hybrid works

All genres are welcome, provided the work aligns with the festival’s themes and values.

Runtime Requirements
Short Films and mid-length films: up to 40 minutes
Feature Films: 60 minutes and over
There is no minimum runtime.

Themes & Artistic Focus
SHIFT prioritizes films that explore:

-Gender, sexuality, and body autonomy
-Pleasure, intimacy, and desire
-Feminist, queer, trans, and non-binary perspectives
-Black, Indigenous, and racialized experiences
-Political, social, and experimental approaches to storytelling

Films that challenge dominant narratives, reclaim marginalized bodies, or experiment with form are especially encouraged.

Premiere Status
Canadian premiere is not required.
Films may have screened at other festivals.
Online premieres are accepted.
SHIFT values access and circulation over exclusivity.

Distribution & Rights
-Filmmakers retain all rights to their work.
-By submitting, filmmakers grant SHIFT Film Festival the right to:
Screen the film during the festival dates
Use excerpts, stills, and trailers for promotional purposes
-SHIFT does not claim any distribution rights.
-SHIFT does not require exclusivity.

Language & Subtitles
Films in any language are accepted.
English or French subtitles are required for all non-English/French dialogue.
Subtitles must be provided by the filmmaker if selected.

Format & Exhibition
Preferred screening format: Digital file
Online screening links may be requested for preview purposes.
Exhibition format and delivery specifications will be shared upon selection.

Notification & Screening
Selected filmmakers will be notified via email.
Screening dates and times are determined by the festival.
Filmmakers are encouraged but not required to attend.

Code of Ethics
SHIFT Film Festival reserves the right to refuse films that:
-Promote hate, discrimination, or violence
-Exploit trauma without critical or ethical context
-Reproduce harmful stereotypes or oppressive narratives

Agreement of Use
Selected films agree to allow SHIFT Film Festival to use screenshots, clips, trailers, posters, and other promotional materials to promote the film and the festival across all media platforms. Filmmakers and invited guests agree to allow the festival to use their likeness in any photo, video, or audio recordings captured during the event for promotional and archival purposes. Filmmakers grant SHIFT Film Festival a non-exclusive, royalty-free right to screen their film as part of official festival exhibitions, including in-person and related community screenings, for a duration of one (1) year from the initial screening date. All rights remain with the filmmaker.