REDEFINING RURAL & REMOTE
Image Description: A red poster with a reel of film across it, an old film projector is on the right. Details of Redefining Rural & Remote Short Film Festival are written in white. At the bottom of the poster are three logos (left to right): SPARC, Canada and Ontario Arts Council.
A showcase of short films depicting all aspects of life in Canadian rural and remote communities.
This is the second annual SPARC Short Film Festival and will be presented during the biennial Symposium of Réseau SPARC Network (Supporting Performing Arts in Rural & Remote Communities) which takes place May 21-24, 2026 in Sudbury. Official selections will be screened publicly in a showcase at the Sudbury Indie Cinema on May 24, 2026 at 10:30 am.
There will be five (5) prizes awarded as described below. Awards will be presented after the showcase.
Accepted file formats will be DCP or MP4.
Rules & Terms
Open to filmmakers living in Canada and Canadian filmmakers living abroad who create short films with/on the theme of life in rural and remote communities in Canada.
All filmmakers submitting a short film for consideration must guarantee that they own all rights associated with their entry including the rights/permissions of use of accompanying music. There should be proper crediting with all permissions secured for people's likenesses, copyright, SOCAN, etc. Please provide SPARC with all necessary releases.
Film lengths of three (3) minutes up to twelve (12) minutes will be considered.
Films may be submitted by email with a link to the digital copy to:
rachel@sparcperformingarts.com
Films which are been created by Canadians or filmmakers living in Canada from January 1, 2019 or later are eligible.
By entering the competition, rights are given to SPARC to use the works for public presentation at the 2026 Short Film Festival.
Electronic Press Kits (EPK) including bios, film stills, and digital posters would be an asset.
Awards & Prizes
There will be one prize in each of the following five categories:
Best Overall Film;
Most Representative Rural & Remote Film;
Best Film by a Young Filmmaker - Aged 25 or Younger;
Best Performance Film;
People’s Choice Award.
Dates & Deadlines
November 15, 2025
Opening Date
March 15, 2026
Submission Deadline
April 15, 2026
Notification Date
May 24, 2026
Short Film Festival Date
Categories, Fees & Prizes
No Entry Fees for all categories
Best Overall Film - $200
Most Representative Rural & Remote Film – one pass for the 2028 SPARC Symposium
Best Film by a Young Filmmaker - $100
Best Performance Film - $100
People’s Choice – A selection of Sudbury products and services valued at $100
Contact
gduff392@gmail.com
519-572-9875
Organizers
SPARC Executive Director - Rachel Marks
Short Film Festival Director - Gordon Duff
Thank you to our funders:
