Toronto International Film Festival to Host Historic 53rd Student Academy Awards in September 2026

The 53rd Student Academy Awards will be held in Toronto for the first time this fall, marking a historic moment for Canadian cinema.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday that its annual awards ceremony, which honors outstanding undergraduate and graduate student filmmakers, will take place at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 14, 2026. The event will be hosted at the TIFF Lightbox in partnership with Rolex.

Academy Leaders Praise Global Expansion

“As the Academy becomes increasingly global, we are delighted to bring this year’s Student Academy Awards to TIFF. These filmmakers are the future of our industry, and we are thrilled to platform their work at this important international festival. We sincerely thank TIFF for their support and our long-standing Student Academy Awards partner, Rolex, which shares our deep commitment to fostering emerging filmmakers.”

— Bill Kramer, CEO, and Lynette Howell Taylor, President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

TIFF Celebrates Next Generation of Filmmakers

“We’re honored to welcome the Academy and the Student Academy Awards to our 51st edition of the Festival,” said Anita Lee, TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer. “Championing the next generation of global storytellers is central to our mission, including through initiatives like TIFF Next Wave, and we’re proud to celebrate this year’s student filmmakers as they engage with industry leaders and audiences from around the world here in Toronto.”

First-Ever Canadian Hosting of the Student Academy Awards

This will be the first time the long-running international student filmmaker awards ceremony is held in Canada. Historically, the Student Academy Awards have taken place 48 times in Los Angeles, twice virtually (during the pandemic), once in London, and once in New York as of 2025.

Opportunities for Winners and Submissions

Winners of the 2026 Student Academy Awards—to be announced in August 2026—will receive invitations to attend both TIFF and its festival market. They will also gain access to exclusive panels, networking events, and meetings with Academy members.

Filmmakers may submit their work via FilmFreeway in the following categories:

• Alternative/Experimental
• Animation
• Documentary
• Live Action Narrative

All winners will be eligible for consideration in the Animated, Documentary, or Live Action Short Film categories at the 99th Academy Awards in 2027.

How to Enter the 2026 Student Academy Awards

Submission guidelines, rules, and a direct link to enter are available on the Oscars’ official website.