A practical look at screener evaluate your submission
How films are selected
at Hollywood North International Film Festival
How the selection actually work
Films are reviewed by screeners in large volumes.
Most decisions happen early. Clarity, intention, and execution matter more than budget.
Opening impact
Sound and dialogue
Most selection decisions begin forming immediately.
Programmers look for control and intention in the first moments of a film. The opening must establish tone, signal competence, and justify continued viewing.
A weak or unfocused opening is one of the most common reasons a film does not advance.
Sound quality is a primary evaluation factor.
Dialogue must be clear and intelligible without effort. Background noise, inconsistent levels, or unclear mixing distract from the story and reduce perceived professionalism.
Strong visual work does not compensate for poor sound.
Pacing and structure
Story clarity
Short films are judged harshly on pacing.
Scenes are expected to justify their length. Repeated emotional beats, redundant dialogue, or unnecessary transitions weaken impact and test patience.
Runtime must feel appropriate to the category and subject matter.
Intent must be understood early.
Whether narrative or experimental, the film should communicate what it is doing and why. Confusion caused by unclear motivation, inconsistent tone, or withheld information works against selection unless clearly purposeful.
Clarity does not mean simplicity. It means control.
Emotional Payoff
Submission materials
The ending carries disproportionate weight.
Programmers look for a deliberate final beat that resolves, reframes, or lingers. A memorable ending often determines whether a film is discussed, remembered, or shortlisted.
An ending that feels accidental or underdeveloped weakens the entire film.
Evaluation does not stop with the film itself.
Loglines must accurately describe the work. Synopses should reflect the actual film, not an aspirational version of it. Posters and stills should communicate tone and genre clearly.
Careless submission materials signal carelessness in the work.
Important note
These criteria reflect common evaluation standards used during programming and do not guarantee selection.
Land Acknowledgement
Land Acknowledgement – British Columbia We respectfully acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples who have stewarded this land for thousands of years. In particular, we recognize that much of what is now known as British Columbia lies within the homelands of over 200 distinct First Nations, each with their own unique culture, language, and traditions. In Vancouver, we acknowledge the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, whose deep connections to the land, waters, and skies remain central to their identity and way of life. These lands were never surrendered, and their rights and relationships to this land endure. As we gather here today, we honour the enduring presence, resilience, and cultural contributions of all Indigenous Peoples—First Nations, Inuit, and Métis—and we commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation, decolonization, and respect. Let this acknowledgement not be merely a statement, but a call to action: to listen, to learn, and to support Indigenous sovereignty, justice, and healing.
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
At the Hollywood North International Film Festival (HNIFF), we believe that storytelling is a universal right—and that cinema becomes truly powerful when it reflects the full spectrum of the human experience.
We are proudly committed to creating an inclusive platform where all voices are heard, all cultures are seen, and all identities are celebrated. We welcome and encourage submissions from creators of every race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, language, and socioeconomic background.
Our festival does not just showcase diversity—it lives it.
From the stories we screen to the jurors we appoint, from our leadership to our community outreach, equity, inclusion, and representation are embedded in every layer of what we do.
We stand firmly against discrimination in all forms. We actively seek out and support films that challenge stereotypes, break silences, and amplify marginalized perspectives. We recognize that systemic inequality exists in the global film industry—and we are committed to being part of the solution.
HNIFF is not just a festival—it is a movement for change.
A place where difference is not just accepted, but celebrated.
A space where every storyteller has the right to be seen, heard, and uplifted.