#FIRSTLOOK: SHORTS NOT PANTS FESTIVAL 2026

Shorts Not Pants Film Festival returns after a one-year hiatus, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience. This year’s festival boasts a carefully curated selection of outstanding short films from 17 countries: 23 narrative, 11 animated, and 9 documentary short films; 19 of those films are Canadian.

The festival will take place in Toronto from Friday, November 13 through Saturday, November 14, 2026 at the Carlton Cinema, 20 Carlton St., Cinema #8.

From close to 300 submissions, Shorts Not Pants Film Festival has curated a lineup of 43 films that will surely captivate audiences and showcase the extraordinary talent of filmmakers from around the globe. The festival provides a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to present their work and engage with audiences passionate about the art of storytelling through short films.

We are excited this year to present our esteemed jury members, composed of experts from the film industry. They have been busy watching and will select the top films in four categories: Narrative, Animation, Documentary, and Canadian Shorts. Each jury award includes a cash prize of US$250 for the filmmakers. And of course, like any good festival, we will feature an Audience Award, allowing attendees to vote for their favourite film. That award also comes with a US$250 cash prize.

Shorts Not Pants Film Festival is a celebration of diversity, creativity, and the art of short filmmaking. Film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and cinephiles alike are invited to immerse themselves in the magic of cinema and be part of this exceptional cinematic journey.

And now, here’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. We are delighted to share the full lineup for our 2026 festival, which will be screened in-person at Carlton Cinemas in Toronto from November 13-14. Thanks are in order to our amazing programming team: Cameron Carpenter, Keith Klegman, Shelagh Rowan-Legg, Wenna Li, Bryan Ratushniak, Diana Sernick, Iris Bagola, Sylvia Zhang, Felix De Leon, Amanda Clarke, Brennan Tilley, Carolyn Dunk, Madison Charteris, Isabel Cupryn, and Liz Aguiar. We couldn’t have done it without your help! Passes are now on sale at Early Bird rates of just $30 (regular price is $50). Prices will go up soon-ish, so grab your passes now!