Sabine MondestinDirector & Founder
About Open World Toronto Film Festival
An open world
for emerging voices.
OWTFF is a Toronto-based festival that brings independent cinema together with live performance, fashion, art, music and direct human connection.
Mission
Give fresh talent a real place to be seen, heard and connected.
The current festival mission centers new and underrepresented voices, creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers, artists and performers to debut work and connect with audiences, industry insiders and mentors through Q&As, panels and workshops.
OWTFF brings cinema, performance, fashion and conversation into one creative ecosystem, connecting emerging voices with audiences, peers and industry professionals.
Inside the festival
People make the open world.
The people behind the festival
A human-scale team with a wide creative reach.
Steve LareauHead of Technology / Co-founder
Gizelle LueInterviewer & Talk Moderator
Alina ChristensenHost & Talk Moderator
Mark DatuinCoordinator
Janna KatzTalk Moderator
Marsha NicoleTalk Moderator
Wayne McDonaldPhotographer
Antonio GarciaPhotographer
Uriel BoraevVideographer
Filmmakers said it best
The festival is remembered by the people inside it.
Katya SemyonovaFilmFreeway • September 2025
★★★★★
“Thank you for making all these wonderful films so accessible to festival goers!”
Zhimin HuFilmFreeway • August 2025
★★★★★
“They’re clearly doing it out of love and passion for film, not for profit.”
Mathias K. Tom YewFilmFreeway • August 2025
★★★★★
“Everyone I spoke to was welcoming, professional, and so deeply passionate about the art of filmmaking.”
william davernFilmFreeway • August 2025
★★★★★
“Deep appreciation to Sabine, Giselle, and the amazing staff for screening and awarding my documentary and emceeing a lively and entertaining Q&A!”
Tatsuaki MizoiFilmFreeway • July 2024
★★★★★
“The festival is sophisticated, the team is very friendly, and I am honored that I could attend this film festival.”
