Awards · 11th edition

OWTFF 2026: meet the award winners

17 wins across 16 categories—including two Best Short winners. Celebrate the films, performances and creative work recognized this year.

By OWTFF Editorial Team · 12 September 2026

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OWTFF 2026: meet the award winners; photo from a previous OWTFF edition — Photo from a previous OWTFF edition. Artwork for the 2026 announcement.

The 2026 Open World Toronto Film Festival award winners are here. This year recognizes 17 wins across 16 categories, with Escape Artist and Best Friend both receiving Best Short.

Congratulations to every winning filmmaker, performer and creative team. Each category recognizes a different part of the work; together, they show how many ways there are to move an audience.

Best Trailer

UnGodlyIndira Yanay Killen · Peru

Best Animation

The Family PhotoJohn Norris Ray, Maria Victoria Sanchez · United States

Best Music Video

Bury MeMichael Roz · Canada

Best Documentary

After MelissaKaneal Gayle · Jamaica

Best Experimental

ZAGHAREEDHanna Z. · Australia

Best Web Series

Rejection WebseriesMarie Queenan · Canada

Best Short

Escape ArtistSergine Dumais · Canada
Best FriendGita Galadauskaite · Canada

Best Long Short

A Mother’s LoveHarald Schwarzenbacher · Austria

Best Feature Film

Code NoirMarie Annick Sadhoo · Australia

Best Actor

UnlicensedMark Hampton · United Kingdom

Best Actress

Not Safe for WorkErica Moody · United States

Best Story and Screenplay

A Poem From AnnaSidrah Laldin · Canada

Best Director

Code NoirMarie Annick Sadhoo · Australia

Best Sound and Music

HoneyRoman De Francesca · Canada

Best Cinematography

CRIANZAJulia Maixer · United States

Best AI Film

LegendRyan Patterson · Canada

Recognition belongs to the whole journey

To all our nominees: thank you for sharing your work with OWTFF. Winners also remain in our nominee listings, preserving the full record of their recognition.

Browse the Legacy Archive for 2026 and earlier editions, or revisit the complete 2026 nominee list.

Join us September 25–27 at Kensington Studios in Toronto as we come together around independent cinema. The official festival schedule is coming soon.