Meet the OWTFF 2026 nominees
48 nominations. 16 categories. A new chapter for the films and people making independent cinema their own.
Every film starts with someone deciding the story is worth telling. The 11th edition of Open World Toronto Film Festival now has its official nominees: 48 nominations across 16 categories, from trailers and animation to features, performances and AI filmmaking.
To the nominees and the teams behind them: congratulations. The writing, the retakes, the sound checks, the edits nobody else saw—your work has brought you here.
Watch it. Share it. Celebrate your people.
The nomination announcement is on our social channels. Choose your platform, find your film and help your audience discover the other voices in this year’s selection.
Best Trailer
- UnGodlyIndira Yanay Killen · Peru
- FratresCal Kusiak · United States
Best Animation
- The Family PhotoJohn Norris Ray, Maria Victoria Sanchez · United States
- Overthinking OverthinkingItay Andreson · Israel
- TARAAlena Fée · United States
Best Music Video
- Bury MeMichael Roz · Canada
- Leonard Cohen in the Eating Disorder WardLucas Crawford · Canada
Best Documentary
- Spectacular by ComparisonEvan Cannon, Tyson Kroening · United States
- After MelissaKaneal Gayle · Jamaica
- TsuchiElina Miyake, Takaya Onishi · Japan
- Nameless ChildrenLucca Bertollini · Brazil / Nigeria / United Kingdom
- AMERICAN MOTHAlan Shope · United States
Best Experimental
- ZAGHAREEDHanna Z. · Australia
- Are You Still Insisting on the Things You Like?Jim Davies · Canada
Best Web Series
- Mari Witchhunter (Mari Sorgin Ehiztari)Oliver Mend, Rose of Dolls · Spain
- Cross CheckedHarleigh Eason · United States
- Rejection WebseriesMarie Queenan · Canada
- The RopesBrian Quintero · Canada
Best Short
- Escape ArtistSergine Dumais · Canada
- The Six-Point StarMiguel Nájera · Spain
- The RocketPedro Chaves · Portugal / United States
- Best FriendGita Galadauskaite · Canada
Best Long Short
- Senior DiscountAmy O. King · Canada
- Yellow SlipperTayo Elesin · United Kingdom
- A Mother’s LoveHarald Schwarzenbacher · Austria
Best Feature Film
- Code NoirMarie Annick Sadhoo · Australia
- UnlicensedMark Hampton · United Kingdom
- Saira Khan CaseSwati Chauhan, Karan Razdan · India
Best Actor
- UnlicensedMark Hampton · United Kingdom
- Too LateGreg Kriek · United States
- Code NoirDave Fraser · Australia
Best Actress
- Rejection WebseriesMorgan Taylor Campbell · Canada
- Not Safe for WorkErica Moody · United States
- Crater HeightsAngela Stevenson · Canada
Best Story and Screenplay
- A Poem From AnnaSidrah Laldin · Canada
- Rejection WebseriesMarie Queenan · Canada
Best Director
- Code NoirMarie Annick Sadhoo · Australia
- UnlicensedMark Hampton · United Kingdom
- Crater HeightsBrandon Darcel · Canada
Best Sound and Music
- Code NoirMarie Annick Sadhoo · Australia
- HoneyRoman De Francesca · Canada
Best Cinematography
- EclipseJing Li · China
- CRIANZAJulia Maixer · United States
- Eternal NightHeng Yang · China / South Korea
Best AI Film
- LegendRyan Patterson · Canada
- Miserere TuiYuri Oh · South Korea
- EvenChansoo Park · South Korea
- AgbogbloshieMarcos Junior · Brazil
Explore all editions in the Legacy Archive. Winners remain listed as nominees too: every win begins with a nomination.
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