Breakthroughs Film Festival

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Breakthroughs Film Festival

Breakthroughs Film Festival is the only festival in Canada devoted exclusively to short films by emerging women and gender-diverse filmmakers.

Breakthroughs Film Festival is the only festival in Canada devoted exclusively to short films by emerging women & non-binary directors. We show films from any and every genre made by talented filmmakers from all over the world.

“Breakthroughs” refers to the struggle emerging artists continue to face in an industry where they must work even harder to make their voices heard.

07/28/2026

Join the Breakthroughs Film Festival team! We’re hiring a Communications & Marketing Specialist to help us with ⭐️

Full job description and details are available on our website: breakthroughsfilmfestival.com/join-the-team

Applications close August 12, 2026! We look forward to hearing from you! 💗

05/16/2026

Calling emerging women, trans-masculine & non-binary Canadian filmmakers ⭐️ We’re excited to launch the pilot edition of the Breakthroughs Short Film Incubator! Develop your first short film with support in script development, casting, actor workshops & hands-on production guidance. ꩜

Priority will be given to first-time directors with some industry experience.

Successful applicants must be able to attend an in-person open-to-the-public table read in Toronto in early August (Date TBC).

Applications close June 10!

Apply online: https://www.breakthroughsfilmfestival.com/incubator/application

04/22/2026

Crew Connect is back! Our popular networking event is back and even better for its second year. Apply by May 8th for a chance to participate in our customized speed networking event for emerging filmmakers, happening May 30th, 2-5pm at Trinity Square Video.

This free, curated networking event matches emerging talent with potential peer collaborators. From editors to costume designers, cinematographers to producers, directors and more, we'll help you break the ice and form meaningful connections with likeminded creatives. PLUS, you’ll get a FREE HEADSHOT to level up your professional look!

Application linked here: https://www.breakthroughsfilmfestival.com/crew-connect/application
Please note that completing this form does NOT guarantee your participation. Selection will be based on creating a balanced group, and event capacity. Selected participants will receive a confirmation email by May 14th. If you cannot guarantee your attendance on May 30th, please do not apply this year.

This event is co-presented with Trinity Square Video ꩜

04/20/2026

We’re hiring! Join the Breakthroughs team this summer as our Workshop Coordinator or Partnership & Sponsorship Coordinator ⭐️

Apply today at breakthroughsfilmfestival.com/join-the-team

⭐️ Workshop Coordinator
Breakthroughs Film Festival is seeking a Workshop Coordinator to support the planning and ex*****on of BFF’s 2026 year-round programming, including Script Lab, a pilot program geared towards first-time directors.
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026

⭐️ Partnership & Sponsorship Coordinator
Breakthroughs Film Festival is seeking a Fundraising & Partnership Coordinator to support the planning and ex*****on of BFF’s 2026 fundraising strategy.
Application Deadline: June 3, 2026

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may be filled before the deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Full job descriptions are linked on the application pages ꩜

03/25/2026

Celebrate with us on April 15 at the Small World Centre with a FREE screening of Paying for It, the bold feature from Sook-Yin Lee, preceded by BFF25 filmmaker Juliet Belisario short film Cocoon 🦋

Woven from Chester Brown’s graphic novel and moments from Lee’s own life, Paying for It is a semi-autobiographical dramedy on s*x work ꩜ Paying for It was named one of Canada’s Top Ten Feature Films of 2024 at TIFF

Following the screening, directors Sook-Yin Lee and Juliet Belisario will be joining us for a Q&A.

Reserve your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/paying-for-it-cocoon-free-canadian-film-day-screening-tickets-1984765215187?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/18/2026

This March, help us celebrate our 15th anniversary by donating $15 to our Donation Drive! ⭐️

Donations support breakthroughs and the future of filmmaking by expanding access, funding filmmaker prizes, and growing mentorship and community spaces—empowering the next generation of storytellers. ꩜

Visit www.breakthroughsfilmfestival.com/donate

Be part of the story for emerging women and gender-diverse filmmakers today. Plus, all donations made during March will be entered for a chance to win a 2026 Festival Pass.

Thank you, as always, for your support! 🫶

03/08/2026

Happy International Women’s Day 💗 Celebrate today with us by donating $15 for our 15th anniversary and help support emerging women and gender-diverse filmmakers.

‼️ All donations made during our March Donation drive will be entered to win a 2026 Festival Pass ‼️

Your support helps expand access, fund filmmaker prizes, and grow workshops, mentorship, and community spaces for the next generation of storytellers. Donate today and be part of the future of filmmaking 🌠

Donate here: https://www.breakthroughsfilmfestival.com/donate

02/12/2026

The wait is over! Submissions for the 15th Annual Breakthroughs Film Festival are officially OPEN! 📭

Breakthroughs Film Festival is dedicated exclusively to showcasing short films of any genre by emerging women and gender-diverse filmmakers. 🌱

Please note that all entries must be submitted exclusively through FilmFreeway.

Submission Deadlines:
Early Bird: March 26, 2026
Regular: April 30, 2026
Late: August 13, 2026

We can’t wait to celebrate our 15th year with you at ! ⭐️

Submit: https://filmfreeway.com/BreakthroughsFilmFestival

12/04/2025

A huge thank you to the generous sponsors who made possible! ⭐️ Thank you to Creative Arts Financial, Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT), Mint Dentistry, Ontario Camera Rentals, Rolling Pictures, Trinity Square Video, and Women in Film & Television - Toronto!

Because of you, we’re able to spotlight new and bold voices from women and gender-diverse filmmakers while continuing to close the gender gap in the film industry. Thank you for your support!

12/02/2025

Got something to say about films that break the binary? Then don’t forget to enter the Peliplat Beyond the Binary writing challenge!

With $1,100 in prizes available, tell us about the films or shows that rethink gender norms, uplift gender-diverse creators, or reshape identity, and share why these stories resonated with you. ⭐️

More info: https://www.peliplat.com/en/writing-challenge/2025111405001/beyond-the-binary

Address

Toronto, ON

Website

http://www.breakthroughsfilmfestival.com/

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