Submit your film to the TOsketchfest Film Festival
The Toronto Sketch Comedy Film Festival celebrates the funniest, boldest, and most creative comedy being made for the screen. Presented as part of TOsketchfest, Toronto’s longest-running comedy festival, the Film Festival brings comedy creators and fans together for a big-screen celebration of sketch, character, parody, musical comedy, animation, web series, micro-comedy, and more.
From bite-sized TikToks and Instagram Reels to short films and longer-form comedy projects*, TOsketchfest is a place for creators to share their work with an enthusiastic live audience, connect with fellow comedy makers, and experience the thrill of seeing their comedy on the big screen (popcorn included).
Whether it’s 30 seconds or 45 minutes, if it makes us laugh and deserves to be seen, we want to put it on the big screen.
New for TOsketchfest27
the festival is welcoming submissions of longer-form projects up to 45 minutes through a Special Screening Event, giving creators the opportunity to launch new work, connect directly with audiences, and participate in post-screening discussions
Film Submissions open: September 1, 2026
Early Bird Deadline: September 24, 2026
Regular Deadline: October 15, 2026
Extended Deadline: November 5, 2026
Selection notifications: January 2027
Festival dates: March 3-14, 2027
Application Fees:
Micro-shorts (:10 – 1:30): Early – $20 | Regular – $25 | Extended – $30
Comedy Shorts (Up to 7:00): Early – $25 | Regular – $30 | Extended – $35
Special Screening Event (Up to 45 mins): Early – $30 | Regular – $35 | Extended – $40
Applications are submitted through Film Freeway.
Before beginning your application, we recommend having the full film file ready to upload, contact details and any marketing materials that would help the submission (stills, movie poster, BTS, etc.).
Need help with the application platform? Read our guide to applying through FilmFreeway.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Toronto Sketch Comedy Film Festival celebrates comedy created for the screen. Eligible projects can include sketch comedy, character comedy, parody, musical comedy, animation, mockumentaries, web series, micro-shorts, longer-form projects and hilarious things that defy categorization.
Not sure whether your project qualifies? Email Ivan at ivan@torontosketchfest.com before submitting.
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No. Your project does not need to be a premiere, but it must have been completed on or after September 1, 2024 to fall within this year’s eligibility window.
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Yes! You may submit multiple projects. Each project requires its own application and submission fee.
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We will work with you the best we can! Contact Ivan at ivan@torontosketchfest.com before submitting. Depending on your project’s stage of completion and anticipated timeline, we can let you know whether there are any available options.
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The Festival is monitoring AI use in the context of film festival submissions and requires applicants to disclose AI use. At this point in time, AI use is permitted. Filmmakers must disclose whether generative AI was used and identify the components of the production affected by it. AI-assisted works are eligible provided there is meaningful human involvement and evidence of the artists’ hand in the creation of the piece. Failure to disclose AI use can affect eligibility.
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The main Toronto Sketch Comedy Film Festival screening features projects under seven minutes and typically runs no longer than 90 minutes, including a 10-minute intermission. Award nominees and winners are announced during the event.
Projects submitted to the Special Screening Event may be up to 45 minutes long. Selected screenings may also include a short post-screening conversation with the project’s cast and creators.
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Projects under seven minutes may be eligible for the following awards:
- Outstanding Comedy Short**
- Outstanding Animation
- Outstanding Micro-Short
- Outstanding Musical Short
- Outstanding Ensemble
- Outstanding Performance
**The Outstanding Comedy Short award includes a cash prize.
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Submission fees help cover the significant time and resources required to review every project thoughtfully. They also support festival programming and opportunities for participating artists.
If your project is selected to screen in the festival:
- Your screening will be supported by TOsketchfest’s publicity and marketing campaign.
- You will have opportunities to connect with industry professionals, who are also invited to attend festival events.
- Your team will receive a ticket package to attend other programming during the festival.
- Projects under seven minutes will be eligible for awards.
If your project is not selected:
- Your troupe will receive a ticket package equal or greater than the value of the submission fee.
If the submission fee is a barrier to applying, please contact Ivan at ivan@torontosketchfest.com. We want to make the application process as accessible as possible.
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Compensation depends on the submission category.
Micro-shorts and comedy shorts: If your project is selected, the submitting artist or representative listed on FilmFreeway will receive an artist package valued at more than $100.
Special Screening Event: Selected longer-form projects will receive 50% of net ticket sales from the dedicated screening featuring their project, as well as an artist package valued at more than $100.
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