Mirror Mountain Film Festival brings the best in independent and alternative cinema to Canada’s capital. Mirror Mountain is an inclusive festival that welcomes all types of films and all types of people to share in the collective cinema experience. In addition to film screenings, our festival features live performances, parties, Q&A sessions and more.
Why should I submit to Mirror Mountain?
1. A free festival pass for all filmmakers who submit
Everyone who submits their film to Mirror Mountain, regardless of whether or not it is selected, gets a free pass to attend the entire festival.
2. It’s free to submit for local filmmakers
Films of any length and genre can be submitted for free if they were shot and/or edited within a 125 km radius of Ottawa. This area includes Gatineau, Maniwaki, Mont Tremblant, Montebello, Hawkesbury, Cornwall, Potsdam, Brockville, Smiths Falls, Perth, Renfrew, Arnprior and more. Contact the festival to find out how to submit a local film.
3. Free submissions for alumni
If you directed a film that was officially selected in a previous edition of Mirror Mountain, you can submit again at no cost. Contact the festival to find out how to make an alumni submission.
4. Your money back
If your film is selected to play in the festival, we’ll pay you back your original submission fee.
5. We pay screening fees
In addition to reimbursing your submission fee, if your film is selected, we will also give you a small fee to thank you for letting us screen your work.
6. Fewer restrictions
There are no premiere or date-of-completion requirements. Your film is still eligible even if it has screened in the Ottawa region before. You are still eligible to submit if your film has distribution, has been broadcast on television, or is available to view online.
7. You’ll be kept in the loop
We will email you shortly after you submit to confirm we’ve received your application. Later, you’ll receive a notification informing you of the results, regardless of whether or not your film was selected.
8. Great awards for winning filmmakers
We celebrate filmmaking talent and recognize people in our community who create exceptional work with awards given out in several categories. Award winners receive a variety of great prizes donated by our sponsors.
9. A friendly and alternative atmosphere
Our next festival will take place at Arts Court, downtown Ottawa’s hub for film, visual art, music, theatre and dance, and a meeting place for people from diverse artistic and cultural backgrounds.
At the end of the festival, awards are given out in the following categories:
BEST FILM
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST SCREENPLAY
BEST PERFORMANCE
BEST LOCAL FILM
All selected films are automatically in consideration for awards in all relevant and appropriate categories.
For more information on award sponsors, prizes, previous winners and nominees, visit: mirrormountainfilmfest.com/awards