Introduction to the film festival
Mirror Mountain Film Festival brings the best in independent, alternative and underground cinema to Canada’s capital. We are a diverse and inclusive festival that welcomes all types of films and all types of people to share in the collective cinema experience. Our mission is to promote unique and original creative voices from the Ottawa-Gatineau region and from around the world. Mirror Mountain showcases innovative, groundbreaking and unconventional films in a wide variety of genres, including drama, documentary, animation, experimental, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, dance and music videos. In addition to film screenings, the festival features engaging, community-oriented activities such as live performances, hybrid media presentations, interactive exhibits, parties, panel discussions, Q&A sessions and more. Our events aim to connect filmmakers both with audiences and with one another, and to support artists through educational and professional development opportunities. Why should I submit to Mirror Mountain? 1. Free festival pass for all filmmakers who submit Everyone who submits a film to Mirror Mountain, regardless of whether or not it is selected, gets a free pass to attend the entire festival. 2. Free to submit for local filmmakers Films of any length 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. 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. 4. Your money back If your film is officially selected to screen in the festival, we’ll reimburse your original submission fee. 5. We pay artist fees If your film is officially selected to screen in the festival, you will also receive an artist fee to thank you for letting us screen your work. 6. Fewer restrictions We have no premiere or date-of-completion requirements. Your film is still eligible even if it has screened in the Ottawa region before, has distribution, has been broadcast on television, or is available to view online. 7. Stay in the loop After you submit your film, you’ll get a notification from the festival 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. Awards for winning filmmakers Awards are given out in several categories after the completion of the festival. Award winners receive a certificate and a selection of prizes donated by our sponsors. 9. Friendly and alternative atmosphere As a community of filmmakers and artists, we strive to cultivate a vibrant, dynamic and welcoming atmosphere, where creators and audience members from diverse artistic and cultural backgrounds can come together to engage and grow through shared work and conversation.Sfilmmaker is our exclusive platform for cooperation in China, and we look forward to your films.
Awards
At the next edition of Mirror Mountain Film Festival, awards will be given out in the following categories: BEST DIRECTOR BEST SCREENPLAY BEST PERFORMANCE BEST SOUND BEST LOCAL FILM All selected films are automatically in consideration for awards in all relevant and appropriate categories. Award winners receive a certificate and a selection of prizes donated by our sponsors.
Rules
Please read all of the rules carefully before submitting. Mirror Mountain accepts any genre of film, including drama, comedy, documentary, animation, thriller, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, musical, dance, poetry/spoken word, experimental, music video, cult and more. The festival welcomes submissions from diverse filmmakers from all backgrounds, including but not limited to, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirited and non-binary filmmakers, POC and Indigenous filmmakers, persons with disabilities, and diasporic and transcultural filmmakers. Submissions are reviewed by a volunteer jury of experienced filmmakers and local arts and culture professionals. – Submission fees are non-refundable. – Waivers or discounts on submission fees are not offered. – Films may originate from anywhere in the world. – You may submit multiple films in a single year, but you must pay the full submission fee for each film. – Mirror Mountain does not accept submissions sent by email or physical submissions sent by post. – Mirror Mountain is not responsible for non-functional preview copies/screeners. – Mirror Mountain is under no obligation to watch updated screeners. The jury will only review submissions once. – Do not send a press kit or other support materials unless requested. – All submitted films must either be in English or accompanied by English subtitles. – There are no premiere requirements. Your film may have screened in the Ottawa region before. – There are no date-of-completion requirements. Your film can be dated from any year. – Films that have distribution, have been broadcast on television, or are available to view online, are still eligible for submission. – You must be the copyright holder of the film and its soundtrack, or have obtained permission to use copyrighted materials in any part of your work. You may be asked to supply documentation supporting your claim. Works that consist of parody, satire and critical review are excepted under Canadian copyright law. – Mirror Mountain reserves the right not to select any material they deem inappropriate for any reason. – Mirror Mountain reserves the right to remove any film from the festival lineup at any time. If your film is selected, you will be expected to submit a high-quality Quicktime H.264 file as your screening copy by no later than July 11 2025, or your film may not be screened. Filmmakers are responsible for ensuring that their Quicktime file is in good working order. Short is defined as any film less than 20 minutes in length, including credits. Medium-length is defined as any film between 20 and 60 minutes in length, including credits. Feature-length is defined as any film longer than 60 minutes in length, including credits. Film submissions of any length are free if your film was shot and/or edited within 125 km of Ottawa. You may be asked to provide documentation supporting your claim. Film submissions of any length are free if you directed a film that was officially selected to screen at a previous edition of Mirror Mountain.
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Kenneth Warner |  |
Kenneth Warner is a media artist, technician and educator at Algonquin College with a passionate interest in content that challenges the audience. His creative focus, musical practice and filmmaking experiments stem from an interest in social, technological and human interaction. After graduating from Carleton University with an honours degree in Communication and Political Science, Kenneth began working as a media and venue technician for various organizations and community groups. In addition, he has co-created and organized multimedia experiences in a variety of locations in Ontario and Eastern Canada. |
| Amanda Lowe Warnakulasuriya |  |
Born in Sri Lanka, raised on Prince Edward Island and based in Ottawa - Amanda Lowe Warnakulasuriya is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, grant writer, artist developer and event coordinator. Her mandate is to provide professional development opportunities, community engagement and advocacy support for IBPOC, Queer and Trans communities - helping them gain equitable access to opportunities and funding, both on and off stage. She is the former Director of Programming at Girls+ Rock Ottawa and is currently an Associate Program Officer for the Explore and Create program at the Canada Council for the Arts. |
| Jess Maybear |  |
Jess Maybear is an Ottawa-based stage manager and designer. They have worked with companies across Canada like the Great Canadian Theatre Company, National Arts Centre, Ship's Company Theatre, Odyssey Theatre, Company of Fools and Western Canada Theatre, and are currently Technical Director of the Algonquin Commons Theatre. She studied at The Centre for Opera Studies in Sulmona, Italy and at Algonquin College’s Theatrical Arts program. They have worked on small stages, found spaces, touring shows, with giant casts, intimate one-man shows, dance productions and competitions, live music, stand-up comedy, awards shows and even a Grey Cup. |
| Renuka Bauri |  |
Renuka Bauri has over 10 years of experience in the arts sector at the provincial and national levels. She was Director of Communications and Advocacy for CARFAC National for 7 years, and served on the boards of the Media Arts Network of Ontario, Digital Arts Resource Centre (formerly SAW Video) and Canadian Arts Coalition. She has led workshops for the Respectful Workplace in the Arts program with the Cultural Human Resources Council, and holds certificates in Business Management for Women and Copyright Law Management. She is currently a Senior Communications Advisor at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. |
| Amanda Feder |  |
Amanda Feder has extensive experience in the Canadian film and television industry. She worked in film and television production in a variety of roles before joining APTN’s programming team in 2018. She is now the broadcaster’s Content Executive in charge of Acquisitions and Factual Production. Her short documentaries have screened internationally and won several awards, including THE VAGINA SLIDES, which was awarded Best Local Film at the 2023 Mirror Mountain Film Festival. Originally from Montreal, she now lives in Ottawa. Amanda is passionate about using media as a tool to advance equity and inclusion. |
| Nicole Blundell |  |
Nicole Blundell is an artist and filmmaker who proudly calls Ottawa home. With a passion for storytelling through film, she has shared her work at festivals and galleries in Canada and around the world. Nicole is an active member of the Lightproof Film Collective, where she collaborates with fellow filmmakers and shares her love for the craft. Outside of her own projects, Nicole is dedicated to passing on her knowledge to the next generation of Francophone storytellers. She enjoys teaching at Centre d'excellence artistique de l'Ontario, where she helps aspiring filmmakers explore their creativity. She looks forward to supporting and celebrating the diverse voices in her community. |
Authorization type
Authorization Letter
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2024-02-12
Submission start time
2024-07-15
Earlybird Deadline
2024-12-16
Regular Deadline
2025-05-12
Late Deadline
2025-05-12
Submission end time
2025-06-30
Finalist notification start time
2025-06-30
Finalist notification end time
2025-09-05
Award ceremony start time
2025-09-07
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2024/07/15
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 27 Dollar
Student： 27 Dollar
2024/12/16
Regular Deadline
Standard: 31 Dollar
Student： 31 Dollar
2025/05/12
Late Deadline
Standard: 36 Dollar
Student： 36 Dollar
2024/07/15
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 18 Dollar
Student： 18 Dollar
2024/12/16
Regular Deadline
Standard: 22 Dollar
Student： 22 Dollar
2025/05/12
Late Deadline
Standard: 27 Dollar
Student： 27 Dollar
2024/07/15
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 9 Dollar
Student： 9 Dollar
2024/12/16
Regular Deadline
Standard: 13 Dollar
Student： 13 Dollar
2025/05/12
Late Deadline
Standard: 18 Dollar
Student： 18 Dollar
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