FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The three-day festival shines a spotlight on the music video as an art form and creates opportunities for Canada’s next generation of creative talent to connect and grow
Toronto, ON – October 13, 2026 – Toronto International Music Video Festival (TIMVF), a multi-day celebration of music videos, artists and filmmakers from Canada and around the world, is returning to Toronto for its fourth consecutive year this November.
From Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8, TIMVF continues its pursuit of celebrating the music video as an underrepresented art form, spanning a full weekend of music video screenings, showcases, live music, networking events and industry discussions. At the heart of the festival is its annual music video competition, inviting artists and filmmakers to submit their work for the opportunity to be showcased and recognized at the awards ceremony, with top honours including Best Music Video, Best Cinematography, Best Director and more.
“Music videos give musicians a way to expand on the stories and meanings of their songs in ways that audio alone can’t, creating a whole new layer to how audiences experience their music. It takes the creativity and dedication of filmmakers, working in collaboration with musicians, to bring those ideas to life,” said Mac Downey, Festival Director, TIMVF. “We started TIMVF to celebrate that relationship and create a space where musicians and filmmakers can connect, collaborate and find new opportunities within an ever-changing industry.”
What began as a passion project founded by three Canadian filmmakers has since developed into a platform that brings together Toronto’s vibrant creative community with musicians, filmmakers, producers and directors from across the globe. TIMVF receives music video submissions from more than 40 countries, with attendees travelling to the city from Europe, the U.S. and beyond.
Education and accessibility are central components to the festival’s programming. TIMVF hosts video showcases, panel discussions, roundtables and interactive sessions, aiming to give the next generation of artists, directors and producers practical knowledge about music video production while creating an open environment for honest conversations about the industry.
That includes a deliberate anti-gatekeeping approach, allowing space for people to ask questions and share experiences without feeling the need to already have the right network or credentials.
“We’re committed to breaking down some of the barriers that can make creative industries feel inaccessible to a lot of people,” said Downey. “The festival is about the work, but it’s also about the people behind it. If someone walks away having learned something, met a future collaborator or simply felt more confident about emerging as an artist, then we’ve done what we set out to do.”
TIMVF 2026 is proud to welcome the support of The Rec Room, Grace Court, Canada Film Equipment, Long and McQuade, ThatGoodSpot, 2D House, Assimilate, Company 3, Blundstone, Coffee House Hours, Tallboys & Toronto Fashion Academy, who are sponsoring this year’s festival award prizes, industry panels and networking mixer. The festival would also like to thank Alexander Beau, Melo Griffith, and J3M for performing at this year’s Kick-Off Concert, and Julianna Garofalo and Owen Weir of the Please Relate To This Podcast for joining as hosts.
For more information, including the full festival programme, participating artists, and ticket information, please visit timvf.ca.
###
Media Contact
Andreia Verissimo
External Communications Manager
About TIMVF
TIMVF continues to unite musicians and film professionals in a collaborative and inspiring environment. This multi-day event offers a platform for filmmakers and artists to showcase their music videos to a public audience, complemented by a Networking After Party and Discussion Panels with industry professionals, creating opportunities to connect, learn, and thrive in the music video space. As TIMVF grows, we remain committed to enhancing the appreciation of music video art while fostering meaningful networking opportunities among creatives, helping to fuel the growth of Toronto’s dynamic arts industry.
