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Submit to become a Featured Creator
Buffer Festival will be selecting 1 video and it’s creator to add into it’s 2024 line up. Winners will be invited to screen their video at Buffer Festival 2024 taking place November 1-2.
Submissions Are Closed
Submissions are closed for 2024, but sign up below to get notified when they open for 2025.
Submission Dates and Cost
The selected creator will be be invited to screen their video and attend the festival as a featured creator. If the creator is outside of the Toronto area, they will have their travel and accommodations covered. Please note that Buffer Festival cannot accommodate travel visas or provide waivers.
Opening Date
September 1st
Regular Submissions
$10 CAD
until October 1st
Notification Date
October 8th
Late Submissions
$20 CAD
Until October 4th
Submissions Closed
Rules & Terms
- Submissions must be longer than one (1) minute and under ten (10) minutes.
- Submissions will be reviewed based on the quality of cinematic content, audio, video, editing, story, and other film aspects.
- The applicant must own all copyrights to all aspects of the submission.
- This process is international. Submissions are in no way based on the country of origin, however we cannot provide waivers or visas for international creators.
- The video may be in any language. However, if the video is not primarily in English, the video must include English subtitles burned into the export, or available as closed-caption option on the video player.
- Videos submitted as premieres are preferred, but not required.
- Any video that does not meet the eligibility qualifications should not be submitted. No refunds are available.
- The creator maintains full ownership and rights over their video at all times, even after submission to Buffer Festival. Buffer Festival will never own any aspects or lay claim to ownership over the video.
Powered by Henry's
Submissions are made possible thanks for the generous support of Henrys: Canada’s Greatest Camera Store. With the best gear and honest expert advice, Henry’s is a huge supporter of digital creators across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit more than one video?
Of course! Creators are welcome to submit as many as they’d like in as many of the categories as they’d like.
Can I submit the same video into multiple categories?
Although creators are welcome to submit the same video into multiple categories, we encourage submission into the primary category that the creator feels best aligns.
What are the categories?
We accept videos that fit into the following categories.
- Short films
- Comedy
- Documentaries
- Music videos
- Animation
- Misc.
What are some examples of videos that have won in the past?
Great question, and good research. Here are a few videos that have been invited to screen in previous years.
How are videos selected?
All videos are reviewed by a selection of established digital creators, members of the festival staff, and experts from Henrys. The selection committee focuses on finding cinematic and narrative videos that excel in audio, production, editing, story, and other film aspects.
Can You Provide Waivers or Visas for International Creators?
Buffer is an international festival, we proudly accept submissions from any country. However, we cannot provide waivers or visas for international creators who want to attend the festival.