The Canadian Labour International Film Festival (CLiFF) features films made by, for, and about the world of work and those who do it, in Canada and internationally. The films we showcase are about unionized workers, as well as those not represented by unions. We encourage projects regarding any and every aspect of work, as well as issues affecting work or workers. The festival draws trade unionists, community members, youth, activists, students, educators, artists, and allies from across North America and one day, we hope, the world.
CLiFF is a free national film festival which first started in 2009. The founding committee, composed of social justice, community and trade union activists, took two years to plan the festival before it made its debut across Canada. In its inaugural year, more than 40 locations across the country participated in CLiFF.
CLiFF is held across Canada every year in November - Labour Film Month
Artist Fees and Screening Fees
CLiFF pays artist fees for the right to screen films according to the CARFAC Minimum Copyright and Professional Fees schedule:
Films up to 15 minutes:
Single Presentation: $130 CAD
Multiple Presentations: $519 CAD
Films Up to 30 minutes:
Single Presentation: $192 CAD
Multiple Presentations: $640 CAD
Films Up to 60 minutes:
Single Presentation: $262CAD
Multiple Presentations: $772 CAD
Festival-in-a-Box (FIAB)
CLiFF has developed the innovative Festival-in-a-Box (FIAB) program, designed to make it more accessible for any groups or individuals to organize a CLiFF screening in their communities. FIAB programs a complete film festival in a ready-to-use format which means that community film gatherings can be made possible without requiring too many additional or unaffordable resources.
The CLiFF Board selects programs of 60 to 120 minute comprising of films accepted into the festival to host screenings in diverse communities around Canada.
VISION
CLiFF tells the stories of workers (both paid and unpaid) and is the stage and the voice of those who seek justice on the job and dignity in the workplace.
Our festival provides a national platform to showcase those stories which have been made into films, but cannot find an audience beyond the film makers’ own circle of influence. We give filmmakers exposure across Canada and also help to direct community attention towards labour films made in the past that represent stories that deserve a wider and current audience.
History and Young Workers
CLiFF also provides workers with examples of what other workers have done or are doing, whether in Canada or around the world, to deal with challenges they have had in their workplaces, and more broadly in their lives as a result of being workers.
The trade union movement and individual workers have played an important role in shaping the Canada we know today. Many of our films show struggles of the past, as well as details of what is happening today.
Furthermore, giving workers, especially young workers, an opportunity to learn some of the history of the trade union movement is crucial in continuing to fight for working class justice.
The CLiFF Best-in-Festival Award goes to the film judged to be the best in the festival by audiences during the Toronto festival and is announced after votes have been tabulated. This prize has a cash value of $100.00 CAD.
The Miguel Cifuentes Radical Change Award has been created in memory of CLiFF’s late board member and a longtime labour activist, Miguel Cifuentes, who passed away in 2014. The award goes to the film that best reflects his passion for social justice and commitment to social change. The winning film is chosen by Miguel’s family and is announced after the final screening in November. This prize has a cash value of $100.00 CAD.
The Best Canadian Film award is to recognize the Canadian film which best meets CLiFF's purpose of telling stories of workers, unionized and non-unionized, thorough film by sharing the voice of those who seek justice on the job and dignity in the workplace.
The prize has a case value of $100.00 CAD.
The Beating Heart award recognizes a filmmaker from an equity-seeking group to help support these important voices in film. Women, non-binary, LGBTQ, persons of colour or Aboriginal filmmakers are eligible for this award. The prize has a case value of $100.00 CAD.