The Edmonton International Film Festival showcases the finest filmmaking into the following programming streams which includes films submitted and solicited:

Contemporary Independents. The very best in contemporary independent cinema from our neighbours to the south -- from pitch-black comedies, to nail-biting thrillers, to heart-wrenching drama... you name it. This is the cream of the crop of American Indie Cinema, and in years past, we’ve showcased films such as Wristcutters: A Love Story, The Scenesters, and our 2009 People’s Choice Winner for Best Film, My Suicide.

World Cinema. We search the globe for the very best in acclaimed, international filmmaking. Culled from overseas submissions, and curated by our programming committees from the international film circuit, we want to bring the best the world has to offer right here to Edmonton. EIFF has presented Alberta premieres of some of the biggest international hits of the last few years, films such as The White Ribbon, 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days, and Departures, as well as independent gems like Kenny, Bomber, and Under the Bombs.

Doc Central. Documentary filmmaking continues to grow in popularity, and our audiences love 'em. We're looking for documentaries that are passionate, provocative, or life-affirming – in other words, films that get audiences talking! Films such as Man on Wire, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, and our 2009 Independent Documentary Winner, Winnebago Man, are past examples of documentaries our audiences have loved.

Edge of Night. This program strand is lovingly tailored to the more 'adventurous' festival-goer. Bizarre, scary, or just plain shocking (or shockingly funny!) these films push the envelope and have been known to blur the lines of good taste…which is exactly why they're programmed ‘at the edge of night’. EIFF has been THE place to see Alberta premieres of Repo: The Genetic Opera, The Snake, Let the Right One In, and [REC].

Oh, Canada! Made in our own land of maple syrup and toques, these films salute the innovative work being produced by a new generation of Canadian filmmakers. This is the new golden age of Canadian filmmaking, and EIFF audiences have packed the house in recent years for films such as One Week, Passenger Side, Cole, and Bruce McDonald’s internationally acclaimed sensation, Pontypool.

International Shorts. The cornerstone of this Festival! This series combines juried films, solicited films and visiting filmmakers for screenings that are akin to ridin' the rollercoaster at West Edmonton Mall. All short film submissions must be 30-minutes or less.  International Short films are also programmed into the crowd-pleasing, must-see, event titles Sobeys Lunchbox Shorts.  More than 1,200 people attended these five (5) unique short film packages during the 2009 EIFF.  People from all walks of life check out of work and check into 45-mins. of international short films over their lunch hour while munching on a fresh-made, Sobeys lunch.

Our Own Backyard. An all-day marathon of short films, this is a celebration of the finest filmmaking created by Albertans, and people who grew up here.

This is a festival with a rich history and a loyal following of thousands that continues to grow with each passing year. Previously branded ‘Local Heroes’, festivities took place each March. Known as the Edmonton International Film Festival since 2004, and moved to a new autumn timeslot – when Mother Nature is much kinder – the festival is now in-line with the existing Canadian film circuit, making accessibility to films (and filmmakers)a whole lot easier.

All film festivals are in heavy competition with each other to woo the world’s top filmmakers to their event and Edmonton is no exception. So we’ve decided to do it one filmmaker at a time.  And the comment we hear most often is that ours is among the warmest, friendliest, best-organized film festivals they’ve ever attended – a quiet little festival in the heart of Canada that packs a programming punch!  EIFF organizers are committed to making each and every guest filmmaker -- whether they’re presenting a feature-length film or a short -- feel like gold. And it’s working.

Whatever the genre, we search the world over for the most highly entertaining films that exhibit great storytelling qualities.

The Edmonton International Film Festival Society (EIFFS) is a non-profit, charitable organization which is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors selected by a community-based steering committee.

If you would like to donate your time as a member of our Board, please send your resume and an introductory paragraph telling us how your experience can benefit EIFFS to: board@edmontonfilmfest.com.  All communications will be kept confidential.  Board terms are 2-years in length.  Election of new Board members takes place in February each year during the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Edmonton International Film Festival Society was registered in the province of Alberta on September 8, 1999 under the Societies Act of Alberta (Charity number 87156-9984-RT0001).