TORONTO, CANADA
Cinema Shift Festival is based in Toronto, Ontario.
FESTIVAL FACTS
CINEMA SHIFT FESTIVAL.
Key information about Cinema Shift Festival for press, partners, filmmakers, researchers, and the wider industry.
WHAT IT IS
STORY-FIRST. HUMAN-AUTHORED. TORONTO-BASED.
Cinema Shift Festival is a Toronto-based curated film festival and conversation platform focused on story-driven, human-authored AI-assisted and hybrid cinema.
The festival critically examines how AI is changing filmmaking, authorship, creative practice, labour, aesthetics, and culture while treating AI as a filmmaking tool rather than an author.
Positioning: Canada’s First Curated AI Narrative Film Festival.
KEY FACTS
INAUGURAL EDITION · 2026
JUNE 5, 2026
The inaugural edition took place on June 5, 2026.
HOT DOCS TED ROGERS CINEMA
The first edition was presented at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto.
SOLD OUT
The inaugural edition sold out and welcomed more than 200 attendees.
16 FILMS
Sixteen films screened in the inaugural Official Selection.
28 COUNTRIES
Submissions were received from 28 countries; selected films represented 8 countries.
2026 AWARD WINNERS
THE INAUGURAL WINNERS.
Best AI Narrative Film + Audience Choice
Sinuca de Bico — Odair Faléco & Davi Moori, Brazil
Best Canadian AI Narrative Film
When I Became Me — Gary Thomas, Canada
Best Hybrid Film
Grandmère — Martin Haerlin, Germany
MEDIA COVERAGE
PRESS & RECOGNITION.
CONTACT
CINEMA SHIFT FESTIVAL.
General inquiries: info@cinemashiftfestival.com
Partnerships & sponsorships: ruza@cinemashiftfestival.com
Filmmakers & submissions: boris@cinemashiftfestival.com
Last updated: September 2026.
PARTNERS
Supported by
Academic partner
Community partners
