T.O. Webfest, Canada’s premier festival for short-form online series and podcasts, returns for its 13th annual edition from Sept. 29 – 30 at Novotel Toronto Centre. Presented by WebSeries Canada, the two-day festival and conference will bring together creators, distributors, and industry decision-makers for screenings, panels, networking, and the highly-anticipated Awards Gala.

Addressing a rapidly shifting digital landscape that has seen new formats, viewing habits, and distribution methods take hold, T.O. Webfest 2026 places a heavy focus on key industry evolutions. Conference programming will address the surging global demand for mobile-first vertical series, successful strategies for digital marketing and audience growth, and the changing funding models for video podcasts.

“Along with industry programming that speaks to the evolving needs and interests of our community members, we are thrilled to unveil an especially competitive and diverse lineup of official selections to celebrate our 13th anniversary. This year’s selections include projects from our new Short Film Pilots category ,intended to give aspiring series makers a platform to showcase and pitch their projects in development,” said Jess Blackwell, Festival Director.

This year’s official lineup features 78 curated digital series and podcasts representing 14 countries across a variety of genres, including both scripted and unscripted works. Short-form series with nominations across the festival’s 34 primary, craft, acting, and genre categories include:

• Ayer’s Cliff (Canada, QC) – produced by Jérémie Lafleur-Giasson, Francis Corbeil-Savage, and Martin Henri

• U-Hauling (Canada, QC) – written and directed by Dani Vermette

• Cows Come Home (Canada, ON) – created by Lindsey Middleton & Katie Uhlmann

• Respire Fort (France) – written and directed by Arthur FANGET

• Devenir Margot (Canada, QC) – written and directed by Eric Blouin

• Dying Seconds (Canada, ON) – produced by Davin Lengyel and Brendan Halloran

• Citron (Canada, QC) – written and directed by Alexandre Diaz-Paquin

• Grimelle (Canada, QC) – produced by Anaëlle Béglet

• The Witchy Girls (Australia) – created by Robbie Ten Eyck (Lazy Susan) and Kane Bonato (Zelda Moon)

• The Struggle for Existence (Denmark) – written and directed by Jannik Dahl Pedersen and Rasmus Skaarup Johansen

• Groupe de Soutien (Canada, QC) – produced by Jacinthe Robert, Francis Corbeil-Savage, and Martin Henri

The festival’s Next Up! Live Pitch Competition, sponsored by Canada Media Fund, returns to give five emerging creators the opportunity to pitch their brand-new digital projects to a high-profile industry jury, with a grand prize of $10,000 CAD in in-kind support being provided by Sunbelt Rentals. The 2026 Pitch Finalists are (in alphabetical order):

• Bulut Gumulu & Youssef Masri – Left Out

• Gabriela Salon – ESL

• Paulette Shnier – Grim’s End

• Jag Sohal – Refuge

• Cathy Tang – Tiki Town

Keynote & Festival Highlights

• Keynote Speaker: This year’s keynote speaker will be Julie Nolke, winner of Creator of the Year at the 14th Canadian Screen Awards.

• Targeted Panels: Deep dives into funding web series, financing video podcasts, shifting trends in vertical content, Q&As with top broadcasters and streamers, how to fulfill sustainability requirements, and how to market your web series (from development to distribution).

• IPF Trailer Showcase: The debut screening of upcoming short-form series currently in development with the financial support of the IPF.

• Awards Gala: Honoring top global digital talent on September 30 with the unveiling of our 2026 award winners.

Passes & Registration

• All-Access Festival Pass: $160 + HST

• Single-Day Pass: $95 + HST

• Awards Gala Single Ticket: $75 + HST

Tickets available at www.3common.com/towebfest2026.