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CINEMA SHIFT FESTIVAL · TORONTO

CINEMA IN THE AGE OF AI

A film festival exploring how AI is reshaping filmmaking, authorship, and storytelling.

FEATURED IN Toronto Star Playback
SOLD OUT IN 2026
200+ ATTENDEES
53% FILM INDUSTRY & CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS
28 COUNTRIES SUBMITTED

WHAT IS CINEMA SHIFT?

CRITICALLY EXAMINING AI IN FILMMAKING.

Possibilities, challenges, authorship & culture.

Cinema Shift Festival is a Toronto-based festival exploring how artificial intelligence is changing filmmaking, authorship, creative production, and storytelling.

We present carefully curated films alongside focused conversations with filmmakers, artists, researchers, technologists, and industry voices.

Story first. Human authorship at the centre. AI as a filmmaking tool.

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CINEMA SHIFT 2027

FILMS. CONVERSATIONS. AWARDS.

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01

FILMS

Curated AI-assisted and hybrid cinema selected for story, point of view, and human authorship.

02

CONVERSATIONS

Focused talks with filmmakers, artists, researchers, and industry practitioners about what is actually changing.

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03

AWARDS

Recognition for authored work across AI-assisted and hybrid filmmaking, with story and creative intent at the centre.

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THE FIRST EDITION

THE FIRST EDITION SOLD OUT.

In June 2026, more than 200 people gathered at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema for the first Cinema Shift Festival.

Sixteen films from eight countries screened in a program shaped around authorship, copyright, creative practice, VFX, and the changing language of filmmaking.

EXPLORE THE 2026 EDITION →

IN THE PRESS

TORONTO STAR PLAYBACK RADIO-CANADA CBC METRO MORNING TORONTO LIFE TORONTO TODAY HOLLYWOOD NORTH MAGAZINE

JOURNAL

ESSAYS, NOTES, INTERVIEWS, FESTIVAL NEWS.

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PARTNERS

Supported by
Academic partner
Community partners