Call for Filmmakers

Film Project on Anti-Palestinian Racism

Residency Description

TPFF invites applications from filmmakers to create new 10-20 minute film/video projects on Anti-Palestinian Racism. 

TPFF is seeking filmmakers who are interested in raising awareness and deepening the understanding of Anti-Palestinian Racism (APR)  through film. The films produced will help a broader community understand and discuss the lived experience and impact APR has on a person and/or community (ie physically, emotionally, economically, and socially). 

The film can be of any genre (doc, fiction, animated, experimental etc) or artistic style (educational, testimonial, experimental), with a focus on shedding light on APR for the public, with the purpose to raise awareness and conversation on the topic. The ideal film would lift the stigma of Palestinian racism and help validate the realities of those who have been impacted or targeted by APR to address the impacts it has on a person, the community or broader impacts on expression and repression on Palestine. 

The completed projects will be screened at the 18th annual Toronto Palestine Film Festival, to be held in September 2025; and with the aim it will be circulated more broadly beyond the festival for educational purposes. 

The residency runs between March and August 30, 2025, with productions completed by the agreed upon end date. 

TPFF Support: TPFF Film Residency will provide ongoing support connecting the residents with established artists in the field of video and film for one-on-one feedback. The residents will also be supported through specialized workshops that target some stages of the filmmaking and video making process (development, conceptualization, scripting, prep, production, rough cuts, fine cuts, festivals, distribution). 

Each resident will also receive financial support to assist with their short film production costs ( $5000 per filmmaker). 

Participants will also have full access to TPFF 2025 including all the screenings, special programs and networking events.    

Submission requirements

  • Synopsis of the proposed project, including: genre, story, form and visual treatment (one-page maximum)  

  • Mood board with images, either found or created to give us a sense of the visual treatment (one-page maximum)  

  • Director’s Statement (one-page maximum), including any information about the project that makes it unique, and how it relates to your past work (e.g., personal connection to the story material, etc.) 

  • A short plan on how you will produce the film in 2025. Please provide a rough schedule of production. Keep in mind that the residency timeline is from March to August. In exceptional circumstances, a later production date may be considered. 

  • Current Creative CV, including your full name, current address, artist website (if you have one), training, education, experience, or accolades. 

  • A PDF document with active links to past films that you have written/directed.

  • Proposed Budget. Please include a fundraising plan if the budget exceeds $5000. 

  • Send all above in a single PDF to TPFFLocalPals@gmail.com with the headline “APR Call for Submission 2025”

    Submission Deadline: March 25, 2025 (no submission fee)


Eligibility

  • The TPFF Residency is open to filmmakers and artists based across Canada and currently residing in Canada. 

  • Participants must have previously produced, directed and/or written at least one short video or film. 

  • Collectives are welcome to apply. 

  • Former TPFF Film Residency participants may apply.

    If you have any questions please email: TPFFLocalPals@gmail.com   


    This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, and is in partnership with the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association.