• Only Canadian filmmakers, producers and distributors are eligible and are invited to submit their original work to the 2026 Yorkton Film Festival competition for the Golden Sheaf Awards.

• Canadian productions 60 minutes and under will be accepted, exception (Best Feature Documentary and Best Feature Drama/Comedy, which must be over 70 mins.).  A Canadian production is defined as any production which: 

i. As been Certified by the Canadian Audiovisual Certification Office (CAVCO) as a “Canadian film or video production.” OR

ii. Recognized as an audiovisual treaty co-production by the Ministry of Heritage. OR

iii. Directed and produced by Canadians and its copyright is owned by Canadians. 

• All entries must have been completed in the period between February 01, 2024, and January 31, 2026, and not have been entered in a previous Golden Sheaf Awards competition. 

• Films that premiered at other festivals or were broadcasted before February 01, 2024, are not eligible to enter.

• A single production cannot compete in multiple main entry categories. It is eligible to be entered in one main category only. Exceptions: -

If your production is part of an anthology series where episodes are produced by different production companies, then each production company may submit their work as a standalone entry. A separate entry form and fee are required for each entry.

If you are also entering your production in the Technical Award category, any of the Accompanying categories and or Craft categories. (Additional fee applies). 

Rough cuts can be entered with the understanding that the file submitted will be used throughout the adjudication process and the film cannot be submitted in future years.

The final decision regarding interpretation of the rules and regulations including the eligibility of any production for admission into the competition will be the responsibility of the festival.

• Early bird until end-of-day Dec. 12th, 2025
• Regular until end-of-day January 31st, 2026
• Early bird -Student Production until end-of-day Nov, 07th, 2025
• Regular – Student Production until end-of-day Dec. 12th, 2025

• All main entry category submissions(expectations: Commercial, Outstanding Colour Grading and Best Non-Fiction Podcast categories) will be automatically considered for Special Award (Ruth Shaw Award- Best of Saskatchewan and Best of Festival) where applicable,(no additional fee is required).

• All festival submissions are handled through FilmFreeway. 

• Entrants are responsible for the technical quality of their submissions. Entries which cannot be adequately judged because of technical problems prior to upload/submission will be deemed ineligible

• Recommended video specs for export:

  Bit rate: 8Mbit.

  Codec: H.264

  Resolution: 1920x1080p, or 1280x720p

  Frame rate: 23.98, or 29.97 fps

  Audio: 48khz 2 channel, stereo audio

Animation 

Original works primarily driven by frame-by-frame or computer-assisted animation techniques, using visual storytelling as the main creative tool. Must be under 60 minutes.

Children's/Youth 

Single productions or series in any genre created specifically to entertain or educate children or youth audiences. Must be under 60 minutes. 

Best Commercial  

Celebrating excellence in video advertising for products, services, or organizations. Open to individual producers or production companies from across Canada.  Must be 60 seconds or less.

Comedy/Drama Series

A scripted series of at least three episodes with a consistent story arc, tone, or character journey. Only one episode should be submitted for consideration. Must be under 60 minutes. 

Experimental  

Innovative productions that challenge traditional storytelling or production techniques. May blend genres, formats, or forms to deliver a unique artistic vision. Must be under 60 minutes.

Lifestyle  

Series or single programs that explore personal or cultural lifestyles—including home design, food, travel, fashion, wellness, and leisure—featuring hosts or talent-led formats designed to inform, entertain, or inspire. Must be under 60 minutes.

Mental Health  

Programs that deepen understanding of mental health issues, portray lived experiences, or reduce stigma across any genre or format. Must be under 60 minutes.

Short Drama/Comedy (under 15 minutes)  

Scripted fiction of any genre or theme with a maximum runtime of 15 minutes.

Student Productions  

Projects in any genre created and directed by full-time post-secondary students. Submissions must be non-professional and completed without industry funding or employment. Must be under 60 minutes.

Documentary Short (under 15 minutes)  

Non-fiction films across all subjects and genres, with a total runtime of 15 minutes or less.

Documentary History & Culture

Documentaries that explore historical events, cultural heritage, or social customs, offering insight into specific communities, eras, or traditions. Must be under 60 minutes.

Documentary Science/Nature/Technology

Documentaries that examine topics in science, medicine, nature, the environment, or technology. Includes one-offs and episodes from anthology or strand series. Must be under 60 minutes.

Documentary Social/Political  

Documentaries that explore current affairs, social issues, political movements, or public policy. Includes one-offs and episodes from strand or anthology series. Must be under 60 minutes.

Factual Documentary Series  

Non-fiction series presented across three or more episodes, with each episode contributing to a coherent thematic focus. Can include lifestyle, investigative, or observational content. Only one episode should be submitted for consideration. Must be under 60 minutes.

Best Non-Fiction Podcast  *New 

Recognizing exceptional audio storytelling that explores factual topics—ranging from history, lifestyle, health, science, and true crime to investigative journalism—through compelling research and creative presentation. Open to one-off or episodic series.

Best Feature Documentary(over 70 minutes)  *New 

A stand-alone, non-fiction film that presents a compelling real-world subject through strong storytelling and cinematic craft. Must be over 70 minutes.

Best Feature Drama/Comedy (over 70 minutes)  *New   

A scripted film that showcases excellence in narrative, direction, and performance across dramatic or comedic storytelling. Must be over 70 minutes.

Indigenous Award 

Programs (fiction or non-fiction) that tell Indigenous stories, explore Indigenous issues, or present an Indigenous worldview. At least one key creative (producer, writer, or director) must be of Indigenous descent. Entries may be submitted for either the Indigenous or Multicultural Award, not both.

Emerging Filmmaker Award

Awarded to a director making their professional debut. Eligible entrants must not have more than two years of industry experience, and the production must not have received post-secondary support.

Multicultural Award

Programs that reflect Canada’s diverse racial and cultural landscape. Entries may be submitted for either the Multicultural or Indigenous Award, not both.

The Kathleen Shannon Award

This production reflects voices which are rarely heard, and exemplifies diverse, cross-cultural storytelling in novel and unique ways. And comes with $1,000 cash award.

TECHNICAL CATEGORY

Outstanding Colour Grading  

Honours excellence in colour grading that significantly enhances a production’s visual quality and narrative impact. Open to any genre or format. Submissions must include a before-and-after reel. *Note. you must have entered your production in anyone of the above main categories to be eligible.

Please note – a before and after reel is required.

Best Performance  * New

Honouring a standout on-screen performance in a dramatic, comedic, or musical role. Recognizes actors of any gender who demonstrate emotional depth, character embodiment, and screen presence. 

Director(Fiction)

Awarded to a director who demonstrates exceptional vision and skill in a dramatic or scripted production.

Director(Non-Fiction) 

Awarded to a director who demonstrates creative excellence in documentary or factual programming.

Research 

Recognizing outstanding research contributions—whether for story, factual content, or archival materials—in documentary production.

All Productions entered in any of the main categories will automatically be considered for the following special awards (where applicable). 

The Ruth Shaw Awards - Best of Saskatchewan

$750 cash prize awarded to the most outstanding Saskatchewan-based production. Eligible productions must be credited to a Saskatchewan company with meaningful local creative involvement.

Best of Festival  

The Golden Sheaf Award for Excellence will be presented to the most outstanding production of the festival.