Film Submissions are now open
The Durham Region International Film Festival is officially back for its 10th anniversary, and we want to see your vision on the big screen! Submissions are now open for our 2026 festival, which will run from October 22nd to 24th. We are currently accepting entries for Feature Films, Short Films, Documentaries, and Student Films, with a special category for Durham Region filmmakers.
Submit your project by the Early Bird Deadline of March 1, 2026, to take advantage of discounted entry fees. Submissions will continue to be accepted through the regular deadline on May 1, 2026. Please visit our FilmFreeway page to review the full submission rules and get your project in front of our programming team.
Driff Screening: Silver Linings Playbook at the Whitby Public Library
Join DRIFF for a FREE screening of Silver Linings Playbook on Thursday, May 7th at 6:30pm.
For more details and to reserve your spot, click HERE.
DRIFF Rewind: Celebrating 10 Years of Storytelling
This year marks a milestone for the Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF). Founded in 2015 and established as a nonprofit in 2017, DRIFF has grown into a vibrant, three-day international festival that champions Durham Region’s filmmaking talent and welcomes creators, industry professionals, and films from around the world. As we celebrate ten years as a nonprofit, we continue to honour the mission that began a decade ago.
Click HERE to read the full article
DRIFF 2026 Fall Festival Dates
Thursday, October 22
Friday, October 23
Saturday, October 24
The Durham Region International Film Festival returns on October 22-24, 2026, and we’re already preparing for another year of powerful storytelling.
Filmmakers are encouraged to begin getting their work ready as submissions will be here before you know it!
It is an honour and pleasure to host an event that promotes arts, culture, creativity, and community with the support of so many wonderful volunteers, sponsors, and partners. The Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) has a fantastic line-up for our fall festival October from 22 to 24 at three great venues. We could not have a festival without the support of filmmakers around the world and in our own backyard and we are truly excited for this year’s festival.
Meet Our Team!
Click here to meet the amazing team that helps make DRIFF possible!
Dive into the DRIFF Archives
If you've ever been curious about which films have screened at DRIFF, the full catalogue is now available!
Visit the DRIFF archives to see film synopses, trailers and even links to watch films dating back to DRIFF’s inception in 2017.
Connecting communities by the power of film
Since 2015, DRIFF has been dedicated to promoting arts, culture, and community from within the Durham Region. Program offerings have included an annual film festival, monthly shorts programs, a high school film program and outdoor drive-in film screenings. DRIFF recently embarked on a strategic planning process which will serve as a guidepost for the organization in years to come. We hope you join us on this exciting new journey.
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“A ‘must enter’ for any aspiring and seasoned filmmaker. Great people talking, living and loving great movies!”
