🩸 At BITS, we curate five distinct short film programs each year, in addition to our feature film lineup. All submitted films are reviewed by our programming team. We accept submissions exclusively through FilmFreeway.
Before submitting, please take a moment to review our FAQ below for important guidelines and tips.
We play a wide variety of Canadian horror, sci-fi, action, and thrillers. We need at least a Toronto Premiere to play it at our festival, and local cast/crew screenings in the GTA are strongly discouraged.
Features are programmed by all six programmers.
Short films that open each feature, usually under 12 minutes. These are eclectic films that don't fit other categories.
Programmers: Melanie Turner and Norm McGlashan
Programmers: Melanie Turner and Norm McGlashan
The best in short-form science fiction.
Programmers: Nadine L'Esperance and Dara Jade Moats
Web and digital series, including proof-of-concept shorts and music videos. No Toronto Premiere required (though encouraged).
Programmers: Dara Jade Moats and Heidy Morales
Comedy and genre shorts with a light or offbeat tone. Often includes animated films.
Programmers: Kassy Gascho and Nadine L'Esperance
A showcase of new and student filmmakers producing standout short films.
Programmers: Heidy Morales and Kassy Gascho
Kassy Gascho is a Toronto-based filmmaker, film programmer, and production coordinator with experience across development, production, post-production, business affairs, and film festivals. Her previous roles span Hot Docs, Fantasia, TIFF, Hangar 18 Media, The Image Centre, and PurpleDOG Post Production. As a filmmaker, her short #BOSSBABE won the Bronze Audience Award at the 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival.
Nadine L'Esperance is an Indigenous DIY horror filmmaker from Vancouver whose bold, genre-pushing work blends body horror, comedy, and punk aesthetics. Her award winning film No Pets Allowed (BITS 2015 Alum) gained recognition locally and internationally on the festival circuit. She has served as a juror for several international indie and horror festivals.
Norman McGlashan is a Toronto based film writer and cinephile who founded the review site Flick Hunter in 2012. He has reviewed hundreds of films at major festivals like TIFF, Fantasia, and ImagineNATIVE, earning a respected place in the city's film scene.
Dara Jade Moats is a filmmaker, writer, and programmer from Regina, trained in the Film Production program at the University of Regina. Her work has taken her to Nairobi, Montreal, and beyond. Her short films have played in horror festivals stateside, collecting awards for ‘Best Short Film’ as well as the coveted ‘Best Blood Bath’ She’s been an Associate Producer with the NFB and Director of Hospitality at Fantasia.
Heidy Morales is the founder of Hye's Musings, an alternative media website covering film, theatre, along with other arts and culture features. She is a Rotten Tomatoes approved film reviewer. Born in Guatemala, Heidy now resides in Toronto where she has been supporting and discussing the film scene locally and abroad for 15 years.
Melanie Turner has been a programmer with the Blood in the Snow Film Festival since its inception and now serves on its Board of Directors. Deeply passionate about genre cinema, she is dedicated to supporting and growing Toronto’s horror film community through advocacy, curation, and community engagement.
Before submitting, please take a moment to review the most commonly asked questions below.
If you have any additional inquiries, feel free to contact us at info@bloodinthesnow.ca — we're happy to help!
Do you offer submission waivers?
Sorry no. We are a non-profit organization run by mostly volunteers and we need the fees to help run the festival.
However we try to keep our submission fees low and we encourage you to submit early to take advantage of early bird rates.
My film isn't completely done, can I submit unfinished work?
No, we strongly encourage you to wait until the film is 100% done before submitting.
Our programmers won't have time to rewatch the finished version, so it's best that you just give us final work.
Will my film fit in your programming?
It is hard to know before seeing it but if you think it would be a good fit for other major genre festivals like Fantasia,
CUFF or Fantastic Fest then it will likely fit our programming. We also recommend researching our past alumni titles (which are all listed on our website)
to see the variety we play.
Generally we play a wide mix of horror, sci-fi, thrillers, action and underground films.
This can include films that cross genre horror mixed with sci-fi, horror mixed with comedy etc… We have also played animated films,
documentaries and even films with puppets!
Why do you need a Toronto Premiere?
Our venue at the Isabel Bader Theatre is a large 500 seat theatre and we need the biggest chance we can to fill the venue both to give you a great
screening and so we can continue to afford to be at this great venue. Historically when we have played films without a premiere, it has impacted attendance.
Do you play anything that is outside Canada or does it have to be 100% Canadian?
We have an International-Canadian category for titles that is a bit Canadian but not completely. Under that category, just tell us how it is Canadian.
(For example: “Canadian director and crew but shot in the U.S.” etc..)
Can I send you a private link to watch first before submitting?
No, all submissions need to be submitted through FilmFreeway to be considered.
How are films selected for Blood in the Snow?
Every single feature and short film are watched by at least two programmers. If it scores well, then it is passed on to the other programmers.
All six programmers along with the Festival Director meet 2 to 3 times a year to discuss the submissions. Once the films are selected in early/mid October,
the Festival Director sends a personal letter of acceptance.
Do you offer feedback on the submission if it doesn't get in?
Yes we can share the programmer notes with you but if it's asked for in October/November we might not be able to get back to you until the festival that year is over.
So please be patient.
What are the main reasons why most films are rejected?
It can be for a wide variety of reasons but the top two reasons historically have been issues with the sound and/or colour design or issues with its length/pacing.
Should I attend if we get into the festival?
Absolutely! In fact we expect you to and bring as many people as you can. We give each filmmaker a complimentary pass to attend all the screenings,
so we encourage you to attend your screening and as many other screenings throughout the week.
What should I expect if my film is accepted?