The Rainforest Canadian International Film Festival

On April 26th at Upper Land Studio, filmmakers and film lovers will gather in the heart of autumn’s embrace

About

The Rainforest Canadian International Film Festival emerges from our nation’s profound connection to the wilderness that defines us—from British Columbia’s coastal temperate rainforests to the boreal expanses stretching across our northern territories.

  • Like the maple leaves that transform each autumn into brilliant displays of gold and crimson, this festival celebrates cinema that embraces change and finds beauty in every season of human experience. Our films root themselves in authentic stories while reaching toward universal truths, creating ecosystems of meaning that sustain audiences long after the credits roll.

  • Participants will experience an intimate day of screenings where emerging voices share the stage with established talent, panel discussions that dig deep into the craft of storytelling, and networking opportunities that grow organically like the forest connections beneath our feet.

  • From the moss-covered floor of new talent to the old-growth giants of cinema, every voice finds its place in our diverse ecosystem. We invite storytellers from across the globe to plant their narratives in Canadian soil, where wilderness wisdom meets urban sophistication, and where multiple perspectives coexist like the varied species in our ancient forests. The Rainforest Canadian International Film Festival: Where stories grow wild and cinema runs as deep as our roots.

Awards&Prizes

• Winners announced on Notification Date and to be presented on Event
• Laurels and Diplomas provided for promotional use
• industry networking opportunities

The Ancient Cedar Award

Best Feature Film
For films with deep roots and enduring strength, like the thousand-year-old cedars standing sentinel in our coastal forests.

The Maple Crown Award

Best Canadian Film
Celebrating Canadian cinema that wears its identity with autumn pride while reaching toward universal beauty.

The Northern Light Award

Best International Film
Like the aurora borealis dancing across our skies, recognizing international films that illuminate new perspectives across cultural boundaries.

The Wild Salmon Award

Best Documentary
For documentaries that swim upstream against conventional currents to reveal deeper truths about our world.

The Seedling Award

Best Emerging Filmmaker
Honoring new voices taking root in cinema’s fertile ground, showing promise to grow into tomorrow’s storytelling giants.

The Moose Trail Award

Best Short Film
For short films that navigate complex themes with surprising grace, leaving clear paths for audiences to follow.

The Beaver Dam Award

Best Screenplay
Recognizing the industrious craft of building narrative structures that redirect story into something more powerful.

The Timber Wolf Award

Best Acting
For actors who embody their roles with the fierce authenticity and pack loyalty of wolves moving through moonlit forests.

The Aurora Canvas Award

Best Cinematography
Like the northern lights painting the sky in impossible colors, honoring cinematographers who capture light and shadow as living art.

The Digital Birch Award

Best AI-Assisted Film
For filmmakers who blend artificial intelligence with natural storytelling, growing new possibilities from technological roots like birch trees thriving in harsh terrain.