Windsor International Black Film Festival (4)

Festival start: 12 August 2027      Festival end: 15 August 2027

The Windsor International Black Film Festival (WIBFF) celebrates Black stories from Canada and around the world. Our 4th annual event will take place August 12-15th 2027, a 4-day event to celebrate the contributions of Black filmmakers and storytellers both locally and internationally.

Festival days will include film screenings and premieres of our major category winners, alongside immersive discussion panels, followed by a red carpet awards night. PLEASE NOTE THAT AWARD WINNERS WHO ARE NOT PRESENT WILL HAVE TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO PICK UP THEIR AWARD. OR MAKE ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET THE AWARD MAILED OUT.

Trophies/Introduction to Agents in the Canadian Film Industry/ In some cases, joint productions with WIBFF. This will be a gala/red carpet-style setting.

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SUBMISSION:

All projects must retain world premier status leading up to the festival day, with no theatrical screenings having been offered to the general public, unless the project submitted has changed significantly from its previous version.

Eligibility for a country-specific category requires 50% or more of a project's funding to have originated from within the specified country.

The applicant is responsible for obtaining authorization from the owner(s) of any copyrighted or trademarked content or materials within the project. The Windsor International Black Film Festival cannot be held responsible for the inclusion of such content or materials and, alongside our representatives and affiliates, is free from liability, including fees or expenses, arising from any such copyright infringement. Third-party claim(s) of unauthorized copyrighted or trademarked content or material may result in disqualification without a refund.

The applicant is also responsible for clearing the project's content of any actual or potential legal claims, for which the Windsor International Black Film Festival, alongside its representatives and affiliates, is free from liability for any such claims, including fees and expenses that may arise from such claims. Third-party claim(s) may result in disqualification without a refund.

Projects previously submitted are only eligible for resubmission if they have been changed significantly from their originally submitted version.

Any project containing significant non-English dialogue is required to provide on-screen English subtitles. Lack of necessary subtitles may result in disqualification without a refund.

All project files submitted must be via direct digital upload or by providing a Vimeo or YouTube link directly to the applicant's Festhome project page.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring their project's submission status on Festhome is listed as "In Consideration" by 11:59pm of the deadline date. Any submissions past the deadline may be considered for another deadline window if applicable.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Narrative Documentary Films
2. Documentary Feature Films
3. Short Films
4. Episodic Content
5. New Frontier Projects
6. Retrospectives
7. Tributes Film
8. Student Films
9. Poetry (film/video)
10. Music Videos
11. Women Film
12. International Film
13. Animation
14. Gospel Film
15. Stage Play
16. AI Films

Nollywood Categories

• Best Nollywood Feature Film
• Best Nollywood Short Film
• Best Nollywood Indigenous Language Film

Performance Categories

• Best Nollywood Actor
• Best Nollywood Actress
• Best Nollywood Supporting Actor
• Best Nollywood Supporting Actress
• Best Nollywood Child Actor

Additional Creative & Industry Categories (Recommended)

• Best Nollywood Director
• Best Nollywood Screenplay
• Best Nollywood Cinematography
• Best Nollywood Editing
• Best Nollywood Sound Design
• Best Nollywood Production Design
• Best Nollywood Costume Design
• Best Nollywood Music Score