Maple Summit Film Festival is an annual film festival with categories for MicroShorts, Narrative Shorts, Narrative Features, and Documentaries; all of which will compete for the "Best of" Annual Awards.

Categories are open to all genres (Comedy, Drama, Horror, etc.) and all themes (LGBTQ+, Race, etc.).

Submissions are screened by a screening panel to determine which films will become "Official Selections."

The top three (3) films in each category from the "Official Selections" will be judged to determine the "Finalists."

The Festival Director will determine the "Best of" Awards.

"Official Selections" and "Finalists" will receive digital laurels and certificates.

Annual "Best of" Awards will include physical awards, and, based on availability and that season's partnerships, additional prizes in the form of industry products and services.

Final announcement for the Annual Awards of the Maple Summit Film Festival will be made at a physical event on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

1. 2024 Submission Deadlines
Submissions will be accepted from February 15 to July 15, 2023. The early bird deadline is March 15, 2024; the regular deadline is May 15, 2024; the late deadline is July 15, 2024. All submissions, regardless of how early they are submitted, will be judged equally.

2. Submission Format
- Films must be submitted via password protected online screeners ONLY.
- We do not accept films sent over by DVD.
- We do not accept subsequent cuts or more complete versions of submitted films, therefore changing or updating the originally submitted link is not accepted.
- Only one version of the film will be reviewed by programmers.

3. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 January 2022.
- Films with distribution, which have not had a theatrical and/or day-and-date release are accepted.

4. Premiere Status
- There is no premiere policy for MicroShorts, Short Narrative, Feature Narrative, or Conservation Documentary.
- Submitted films may have screened at other Festivals, both physically and online.

5. Submission Fee
- All submissions for Maple Summit Film Festival are to be paid through FilmFreeway platform.
- The submission fee is non-refundable.
- Maple Summit Film Festival retains the right to issue fee waivers at their discretion.

6. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under criteria, including but not limited to:
- Quality of narrative and production values.
- Craftsmanship.
- Independent nature of the production.

7. Notification
- Maple Summit Film Festival endeavors to announce "Official Selections" within 30 days of the late deadline.
- "Finalist" selection will be completed by and announced within 30 days of the "Official Selection" notification, and all "Finalist" filmmakers will be informed in writing of their status.
- Announcements regarding either the online awards announcement or a physical festival event will be made no later than October 31, 2024.

All finalist films' online screeners must be made available for the duration of the festival (January 1- October 10, 2023).

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Thanks for selecting "Enter the Room" into your festival as a Finalist. The communication was clear and concise and the online screening was a nice addition. I had a good experience overall and will definitely consider submitting future projects to Maple Summit Film Festival.

    October 2023
  • Thanks you so much for your team, good luck with your Festival, I wish u all the best ...
    George tkemaladze. “ I’m yours “

    October 2022
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Giorgi.

  • NJ Brown

    It was a great experience and looking forward to submitting again in the future.

    October 2021
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, NJ Brown.

  • Ricardo Alvarado

    All of us @Unwelcome Advances Feature Film camp are honored & grateful to receive Best LGBTQ+ Narrative Feature Film 2021 at MSFF. Thank you for embracing & welcoming us to your family with so much love & support, means the world to us. Best Regards, Ricardo Alvarado • Patrick Devaney • Roberto Cintron (Producers)

    October 2021
  • Annabel Vine

    Fantastic work. Thank you for Keeping the show on the road during the lockdown. Great Film Festival.

    March 2021