GENERAL RULES
Submission Guidelines:


Criteria for eligibility are:

- Works not made in Northwestern Ontario should comply with our theme of “films for the people”.

- All submissions must be postmarked by June 01, 2006.

- The final program of the festival will be posted AUG 1, 2006.

- The "People’s Choice Awards" will be announced after the close of the festival.



Although this is a non-competitive film festival, "People’s Choice Awards" are given to the three films judged to be the best by festival audiences, and these films will form the core of the Traveling Bay Street Film Festival, which tours Northwestern Ontario for several months following the event.

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
Bay Street Film Festival first and foremost serves as a showcase for films and videos made in our region
but we welcome Canadian and international submissions in all genres that fit our theme of "films for the people".
We are community event that raises money for local charities.
Because our objective is to connect filmmakers in our community with those from away, we are committed to bringing filmmakers to Thunder Bay to screen their work. At our first inaugural festival in 2005 we screened 80 films and hosted 25 out of town filmmakers, speakers and musicians. We provide a meeting ground for international and local filmmakers to promote future co-productions and collaborations.

Thunder Bay's only film festival dedicated to bringing films and filmmakers together!

The Bay Street Film Festival is a community event featuring local, national and international film and video. At our first inaugural festival in 2005 we screened 80 films and hosted 25 out of town filmmakers, speakers and musicians. The objective is to connect filmmakers in our community with those from away so we are committed to bringing filmmakers to Thunder Bay to screen their work. We provide exposure to films and filmmakers, and a meeting place to share ideas, promote co-productions and spark collaborations.

The Bay Street Film Festival serves as a showcase for films and videos made in our region but we welcome international submissions in all genres that fit our theme of "Films For The People." We are especially interested in documentaries, short films and animation that have social justice, environmental, community activism, or human rights themes, but we will consider other genres and subjects.

We've got more amazing workshops and panels planned for 2006 to provide an opportunity to develop and celebrate our community of filmmakers.


The Bay Street Film Festival takes place on the weekend of September 15-17 2006 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, one of Canada's most spectacular film locations. Thunder Bay is located on Lake Superior between Toronto and Winnipeg, directly north of Minneapolis, and it is serviced by an international airport.

The event itself, is held in the Finnish Labour Temple which is located on Canada's other Bay Street, once the epicentre of Finnish cultural and political activism in this country. In the last 2 years it has been rediscovered as a fantastic venue for screening films. With a theatrical size screen, sound system and seats for 360 people, we can provide a community experience like no other. With over 3000 in attendance and many sold out screenings we provide an excellent venue for local filmmakers and international filmmakers to get audience exposure.

Best of all over 50 percent of the admission proceeds will be donated to charities in Thunder Bay. Films for the People!

Those people who donate at the door recieve a copy of the full festival program which contains ballots for the People's Choice Awards.