2026 WIFT+ Toronto Showcase Trailer
Created by Golan Sahraei (editor) and Sarah Basciano (composer)
2026 SHOWCASE WINNERS
In the last five years, WIFT+ Toronto has award more than $90,000 in cash and in-kind prizes at our annual Showcase, through support from the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto and our generous donors.
The following prizes will be awarded at the WIFT+ Toronto Showcase in 2026:
BEST WRITING (as chosen by the Jury)
Kristina Mileska received the Best Writing Award for Blood or Water.
A cash prize of $3,000 from the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto; a sit-in on a CBC Writing Room (comedy or drama); a TIFF Industry membership; Final Draft 13 Writing Software.
BEST DIRECTING (as chosen by the Jury)
Samiramis Kia won the Best Directing Award for Last Resort.
A cash prize of $3,000 from the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto; a virtual meeting with a DGC Ontario director; a $3,000 certificate towards rental equipment from Ontario Camera; a TIFF Industry membership; and one General Level membership from the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT).
BEST of SHOWCASE (as chosen by the Jury)
Bracken Burns took home the Best of Showcase Award for the animated series peopleWatching, while Christina Ienna received an honourable mention for Surfistas.
A cash prize of $3,000 from the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto; a $2,500 certificate for post-production work at Company 3 Toronto; a TIFF Industry membership; and a meeting with Andrew Frank, Co-President, Mongrel Media.
AUDIENCE CHOICE (as chosen by everyone in attendance)
Sarah D'Ambrosio won the Audience Choice Award for Good Vibes Only
A cash prize of $3,000 from the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto; a $3,000 certificate towards rental equipment from Ontario Camera; a TIFF Industry membership; and one General Level membership from the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT).
*Please note that WIFT+ Toronto will facilitate the delivery of all prizes.
The Best of Showcase, Best Writing, and Best Directing awards are determined by a volunteer jury composed of WIFT+ Toronto members and industry professionals. This year’s jury members were:
Vanessa Case, Sadie Connolly, Nadia Dalimonte, Sonya Davidson, Fiona Highet, Zanda Kakaliia, Jennifer Mesich, Lakshmi Nair, Lanette Ware-Bushfield, Katelyn Wells, and Erin Williams-Weir
The 2026 WIFT+ Toronto Showcase is supported by the following organizations: Presenting Sponsor, CINEPLEX; Supporting Sponsor, Hollywood Suite; Event Partner, Company 3; and Event Supporters; CBC, DGC Ontario, the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto, Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT), Mongrel Media, Ontario Camera, and Suzanne K. Taylor
2026 SELECTED PROJECTS
Blood or Water – Kristina Mileska (Director, Writer)
Good Vibes Only – Sarah D'Ambrosio (Director, Writer, Producer)
peopleWatching – Bracken Burns (Producer)
Last Resort – Samiramis Kia (Director, Writer, Producer)
Alice is Fine – Sarah Hime (Writer, Producer, Star)
Vivien Endicott-Douglas (Director)
Surfistas – Christina Ienna (Executive Producer, Cinematographer)
TICKET PRICES & DATES
EVENT DATE: Wednesday, May 13th, 2026
Location: Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre (259 Richmond St W)
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Awards: 8:30 - 9:00 PM
Reception at Ballroom Bowl: 9:00 - 11:00 PM
WIFT+ Member Advance Ticket $30 +HST | Available Wednesday, April 1 -7 (make sure you are signed in to purchase - maximum of 1 per member)
WIFT+ Member Regular Ticket $35 +HST | Available Wednesday, April 1 (make sure you are signed in to purchase - maximum of 2 per member)
General Public Ticket $45 +HST | Available Wednesday, April 8
Limited discounted advance tickets are available to current WIFT+ Toronto members for one week before going on sale to the public.
*Please note that members are eligible for 1 Member Advance Ticket at the discounted price.
*Please note that tickets are non-refundable
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
EVENT PARTNER
EVENT SUPPORTERS
Suzanne K. Taylor