FestivalCanadaChecked 15 Oct 2026 · rechecked 17 Oct 2026
Hot Docs — Festival films
Closes 4 Jan 2027
Monday 4 January 2027
Rechecked on the official page, 17 Oct 2026. Early (29 Oct), regular (10 Dec) and late (4 Jan 2027) deadlines confirmed on the Hot Docs submissions page.
Official page: https://hotdocs.ca/industry/submit/submit-a-film
- Who can apply
- Documentaries from anywhere completed after 1 January 2026; Ontario/Toronto premiere
- You get
- Festival selection and screening; selected films can compete for jury and audience awards
- Entry fee
- CAD 35–165
- Making
- Documentary
- Stage
- Post, Finished film
- Type
- Festival
Dates
- Earlier deadline Short early
- Earlier deadline Short regular
- Closes Short late
Who can apply
Documentaries from anywhere completed after 1 January 2026; Ontario/Toronto premiere
Open to applicants anywhere.
What you get
Festival selection and screening; selected films can compete for jury and audience awards
Amounts stay in the currency the organiser uses. Caps, totals and alternatives are listed as published; don’t add them up.
What it costs
To apply
| Short (1–40 min), early deadline fee | CAD 35 | Early deadline 29 October 2026; 13% HST added within Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Short (1–40 min), regular deadline fee | CAD 50 | Regular deadline 10 December 2026 |
| Short (1–40 min), late deadline fee | CAD 70 | Late deadline 4 January 2027 |
| Mid-length, feature or episodic series, early deadline fee | CAD 70 | Early deadline 29 October 2026; 13% HST added within Canada |
| Mid-length, feature or episodic series, regular deadline fee | CAD 120 | Regular deadline 10 December 2026 |
| Mid-length, feature or episodic series, late deadline fee | CAD 165 | Late deadline 4 January 2027; fees are non-refundable |
From the official page, 17 Oct 2026.
What to bring
- Private screener with English subtitles where needed, production details and rights. Rough/fine cuts may be considered, but this is festival selection, not project finance.
Terms to read first
| Rights | Long-form online availability in Ontario can defeat premiere eligibility; shorts have different online rules. |
|---|
Our notes, not legal advice. Read the contract before you accept a place or grant any rights.
Where this comes from
Spotted something out of date?
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A research snapshot, not legal advice or a promise that the call is open. The official page always wins.