Festival History
Celebrating over two decades of showcasing emerging Canadian talent. Explore the award-winning films and filmmakers who have shaped our festival's legacy.
Festival Growth Over Time
2013
127
Submissions
450
Attendees
$3,500
Prize Money
2012
134
Submissions
520
Attendees
$4,000
Prize Money
2008
98
Submissions
380
Attendees
$3,200
Prize Money
2007
89
Submissions
340
Attendees
$2,800
Prize Money
2006
76
Submissions
290
Attendees
$2,400
Prize Money
2005
67
Submissions
250
Attendees
$2,100
Prize Money
Award Winners
2013 Festival
Theme: "Emerging Voices"
127 Submissions
3 Awards
Independent Drama
RAINBOW CONNECTION
Directed by Kire Paputts
Toronto, Ontario
Best Independent Drama + $500
Independent Comedy
OMG
Directed by Siobhan Devine
Vancouver, British Columbia
Best Independent Comedy + $500
Independent Animation
VAN GOGH'S EARS IN LEMON SAUCE
Directed by Gerry Lagendyk
St. Catharines, Ontario
Best Independent Animation + $500
2012 Festival
Theme: "Stories That Matter"
134 Submissions
5 Awards
Independent Drama
METERS
Directed by Darcy Fitzpatrick
St. John's, Newfoundland
Best Independent Drama + $500
Independent Documentary
SEX ON WHEELS
Directed by Amanda Feder
Montreal, Quebec
Best Independent Documentary + $500
Independent Animation
SEASHORE
Directed by Carlo Ghioni
Edmonton, Alberta
Best Independent Animation + $500
Independent Experimental
THE EDIFICE
Directed by Frank Sanna
Montreal, Quebec
Best Independent Experimental + $500
Student Documentary
DOLIME DILEMMA: WATERPROOF?
Directed by Kristy Neville
Burlington, Ontario
Best Student Documentary + $300
2008 Festival
Theme: "Independent Spirit"
98 Submissions
6 Awards
Audience Choice
BRYAN BRYAN
Directed by Adrian Thiessen
St. Catharines, Ontario
Audience Choice Award + $750
Student Comedy
BRYAN BRYAN
Directed by Adrian Thiessen
St. Catharines, Ontario
Best Student Comedy + $300
Student Drama
A STIR IN THE FOREST
Directed by Madeleine Sims-Fewer
Toronto, Ontario
Best Student Drama + $300
Independent Drama
THE LAST GOODBYE
Directed by Joseph Mancini
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Best Independent Drama + $500
Student Documentary
GYPSY: ABOUT A MOTH
Directed by Scotty Bakalar
Wellandport, Ontario
Best Student Documentary + $300
Independent Animation
MY GRAMPA
Directed by Chris Chitaroni
Ottawa, Ontario
Best Independent Animation + $500
2007 Festival
Theme: "New Perspectives"
89 Submissions
6 Awards
Audience Choice
MRS. AND MRS. MOOSEWOOD
Directed by Jeremy LaLonde
Toronto, Ontario
Audience Choice Award + $750
Student Animation
WINSTON'S SHUTTLE
Directed by Peter Chanthanakone
St. Catharines, Ontario
Best Student Animation + $300
Student Comedy
TROLLEY HUNTERS: TROLLEYS FROM HELL
Directed by Brent Nicholls
Fort Erie, Ontario
Best Student Comedy + $300
Independent Comedy
THE ECSTASY NOTE
Directed by Geoffrey Uloth
Montreal, Quebec
Best Independent Comedy + $500
Student Drama
TIMBRE
Directed by Joelle Desjardins Paquette
Montreal, Quebec
Best Student Drama + $300
Independent Drama
THE HITCHHIKER
Directed by Jason Goode
Vancouver, British Columbia
Best Independent Drama + $500
2006 Festival
Theme: "Creative Boundaries"
76 Submissions
6 Awards
Student Animation
THE TERRIBLE ERROR OF THE REPLACEMENT MAYOR
Directed by Nicholas Thornborrow
Oakville, Ontario
Best Student Animation + $300
Independent Animation
ILLUSION OF MAN
Directed by Chris Chitaroni
Sudbury, Ontario
Best Independent Animation + $500
Student Comedy
IT HAPPENED TO US
Directed by George Vajna
Etobicoke, Ontario
Best Student Comedy + $300
Independent Comedy
A GOOD PERFORMER
Directed by David Evans
Toronto, Ontario
Best Independent Comedy + $500
Student Drama
THE BET
Directed by Rich Boylan
Welland, Ontario
Best Student Drama + $300
Independent Drama
LES AFFLUENTS VOLUME I: LE PONT (THE BRIDGE)
Directed by Guy Edoin
Montreal, Quebec
Best Independent Drama + $500
2005 Festival
Theme: "Artistic Vision"
67 Submissions
6 Awards
Student Animation
THE APPOINTMENT
Directed by Kyle Marshall
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Best Student Animation + $300
Independent Animation
DAWN OF THE PIXIES
Directed by Tara Wells
St. Sackville, New Brunswick
Best Independent Animation + $500
Student Comedy
FLOYD THE BUTCHER
Directed by Jay Baker
Lowbanks, Ontario
Best Student Comedy + $300
Independent Comedy
SUPER ANON
Directed by Stephen H. Plitt
Vancouver, British Columbia
Best Independent Comedy + $500
Student Drama
QUEEN WEST
Directed by Mark Montefiore
St. Catharines, Ontario
Best Student Drama + $300
Independent Drama
WILDFLOWERS (LES FLEURS SAUVAGES)
Directed by Geoffrey Uloth
Montreal, Quebec
Best Independent Drama + $500
Notable Achievements
Local Success Stories
Adrian Thiessen
"Bryan Bryan" - Double winner (Audience Choice + Student Comedy) 2008
Gerry Lagendyk
Local St. Catharines animator - Best Animation 2013
Mark Montefiore
"Queen West" - Student Drama winner 2005
Repeat Winners
Chris Chitaroni
Animation winner 2006 & 2008 - Ottawa animator
Geoffrey Uloth
Comedy winner 2007, Drama winner 2005 - Montreal filmmaker
Geographic Reach
Ontario65%
Quebec20%
British Columbia10%
Other Provinces5%
Winners represent filmmakers from coast to coast, showcasing Canada's diverse voices.
Our Legacy
500+
Films Screened
Since 2000
$50K+
Prize Money
Awarded to filmmakers
1000+
Filmmakers
Supported and showcased
24
Years
Of continuous operation
Be Part of Our Next Chapter
Join the legacy of filmmakers who have made their mark at the Niagara Indie FilmFest. Your story could be the next one we celebrate.