Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival

The 2026 awards include: - Blue Ant Media Audience Choice Feature Film Award: $2,000, selected by audience vote. - Audience Choice Short Film Award: $1,000, selected by audience vote. - RBC Best Canadian Feature Film Award: $2,000; Canadian feature films are eligible. - Dipchand LLP Best Feature Film Award: $2,000; all feature films are eligible. - Air Canada Short Film or Video Award: $10,000 total cash prize, with winning shorts included in an in-flight entertainment compilation. - Seneca Polytechnic Best Short Film Award: $1,000; all short films are eligible. - SAMANSA Short Film Award: $1,000 and a distribution offer on the SAMANSA platform; all short films are eligible. - Reel Asian – DOC Institute Best Documentary Award: $1,500; documentary features are eligible. - Michael Fukushima Animasian Award: $1,000; animated short films are eligible. - DGC Ontario and WIFT+ Toronto Film Award: $1,000, $250 in programming gift certificates and a one-year WIFT+ Toronto membership; shorts by women or non-binary Ontario-based artists are eligible. - Canadian Society of Cinematographers Best Cinematography Award: $500; short films by BIPOC cinematographers living in Canada are eligible. - Armstrong Acting Studios Outstanding Performer in a Canadian Short Film: full class tuition valued at $1,129; the recipient must be an Ontario resident.

For the 2026 festival, submissions require an Asian-identifying artist in a major creative role behind the camera or on screen. Narrative, documentary, animation and experimental films are welcome. Short films have a maximum running time of 40 minutes. Work completed in 2025 or 2026 is prioritized; filmmakers with earlier work should contact the festival before submitting. The free submission period allows a maximum of 15 submissions. Previously submitted films require substantial changes to be reconsidered. Applications must be complete. Updated rough cuts are not guaranteed a second review. Applicants provide a secure online screener, logline, synopsis, artist statement or cover letter, publicity and behind-the-scenes photographs, and a trailer for feature films. The application also requests self-identification information. Selected films require a DCP for theatrical presentation and a high-quality digital file for online exhibition. Other formats require discussion with the festival. Transfer costs remain the filmmaker’s responsibility. All films require captions; in-person screenings use open captions. Other accessibility features must be identified. Selected directors receive artist fees following Independent Media Arts Alliance rates, paid after the festival. Submitters must hold the necessary rights and authorize festival screenings and related use in 2026. Acceptance permits promotional use of stills and excerpts. The festival contacts selected filmmakers if unforeseen events change the presentation format.