Eye2Eye Emerging

Filmmaker Showcase

A short film competition and one-day showcase for emerging student filmmakers

The Eye2Eye Emerging Filmmaker Showcase is a free, one-day celebration of new voices in film. It centres on two juried short film competitions - one for high school students and one for post-secondary filmmakers - alongside industry talks, networking, and screenings.

Our Emerging Filmmaker Awards support the work of next generation filmmakers by providing prizes that include cash awards, tuition bursaries, and in-kind donations for rental equipment or studio space. We also match post-secondary winners with mentorships that connect them with working film and media professionals.

Submit Your Short Film

Emerging Filmmaker Award: Post-secondary

Eligibility: Open to students and recent graduates of Film, Animation, and Digital Media programs residing and studying in the province of Ontario, Canada.

Emerging filmmaker award: High School

Eligibility: Open to high school students from Northumberland County, Peterborough & The Kawarthas, and Kawartha Lakes.

All short film submissions for the Eye2Eye Showcase are managed through FilmFreeway, where you can also find out details about prizes, rules and regulations of the competitions.

Want to submit a short film? Click here.

Mark your calendar….

The 2026 Eye2Eye Showcase will be held in beautiful Victoria Hall in Cobourg, Ontario, just over an hour east of Toronto on May 17, 2026.

Eye2Eye provides attendees and award finalists with FREE access to:

  • Industry Q&As

  • A Film and Media Masterclass

  • An Industry and Peer Networking Lunch

  • A Feature Film Screening

  • An opportunity for Emerging Filmmakers to share their films in front of a festival audience and industry professionals.

Our Goal

FAN’s greatest impact comes from supporting emerging filmmakers, and especially students. Feedback from audiences, educators, and industry professionals, combined with changing film-watching habits, made this direction clear.

Eye2Eye now exists to give young filmmakers a meaningful platform, industry exposure, and a first step forward.