Digital illustration of a blue-skinned woman with black, curly hair. She is wearing an orange spiked choker and another spiked object on her chest. She is making a gesture with her hand over her chest, and a lightning bolt is projecting from her eye. The background is white.

BREAKTHROUGHS FILM FESTIVAL

That’s a wrap on BFF 2025!

We'll see you for our 15th edition — our quinceañera 🎊 — in December 2026!

We prioritize the work, expressions, and experiences of those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of colour, trans, gender non-conforming, working class, neurodiverse, or people with disabilities. BFF is committed to programming independent films by emerging artists whose voices, perspectives, and artistic approaches counter dominant mainstream narratives.

The festival is a CSA qualifying short film festival.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences logo featuring a stylized gold Oscar statuette on a black background.

BFF’s vision is to bridge the gender gap in the filmmaking industry

People sitting in a dark movie theater watching a film, illuminated by the screen.

Winners of the 2025 BFF

  • S.A.D.

    Audience Choice Award

  • Hair!

    Breakthroughs Award

  • On a Sunday at Eleven

    Jury Award

  • The First Female Indigenous Pornographer

    Best Canadian Film

  • Cocoon

    Outstanding Local Film

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

Produced with the support of the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council

Thank you to our sponsors

Thank you to our media partner

Thank you to our community partners