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GO FARR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
A captivating 4 NIGHTS & 3 DAYS JUNE 3–6, 2027
THEATRICAL SHOWS at the
renowned INDEPENDENT "vic theatre"
FILMFREEWAY SUBMISSIONs launched NOVEMBER 2nd, 2026
OPENING GO FARR GALA CELEBRATION • THEATRICAL BIG SCREEN PRESENTATIONS • GO FARR ACADEMY SOCIAL MEET-&-GREETS • PROFESSIONAL SPEED NETWORKING • INDUSTRY PANELS with SPECIAL GUESTS • PENTHOUSE COFFEE CHATS • LIVE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS • SMART ARTSY LESSONS • FUN & LAUGHTER • LIVE ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC & MYSTICAL MASCOTS • MEDIA ATTENTION/ANNOUNCEMENTS • THE GO FARR ARTUR AWARDS CLOSING CEREMONY
SHORT FILMS THAT GO THE DISTANCE!
Submit your ambitious, unforgettable short independent film (20 minutes or less, including credits), spanning a wide range of
OPEN-CONCEPT genres... with a twist!
We are seeking, but not limited to, powerful PROOF-OF-CONCEPT original stories, including our unique MUSIC-DRIVEN CINEMA category... that lifts the beat!
We'll announce additional original Go FARR categories here on the front page and on social media in the first days of November 2026.
Go FARR would love for you to participate!
GET READY!
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL THE WORLD TO GO FARR!
The Go FARR International Film Festival will deliver worldwide attention to the nominated outstanding films, filmmakers, performers, and skilled individuals whose exceptional talents shine. We’ll be showcasing your work on the THEATRICAL BIG SCREEN at The Vic Theatre, along with highlights during our special events and presentations.
Maximum film runtime: 20 minutes
The event will be an immersive experience spanning several unique, top-tier venues. All events will take place within a 5-10 minute walk of the Vic Theatre and downtown Victoria's stunning Inner Harbour. Across "4 Nights and 3 Days," our carefully curated, ticketed series will highlight nominated films, the people behind them, and their diverse home countries and incredible cultures. We're excited to recognize your talent, champion your vision, and cheer you on every step of the way! We aim to deliver participating filmmakers the “5-Star Treatment.” We’ll build momentum by spotlighting our selected nominees. Official Selections will be announced in early-to-mid April 2027, marking an incredible milestone for every filmmaker and talent whose work is recognized. We have big surprises in store! Expect to have fun! Our social media will keep you updated on our unique categories and guidelines. We'll host special, personal video greetings on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to keep you updated and informed. We are developing an FAQ section, but you are welcome to reach us anytime at: hello@gofarrentertainment.com Find us easily on Facebook & Instagram at @gofarrfilmfest... As a finalist, nominees in all categories of our open-concept competition will automatically be recognized as an Official Film Select "LAUREATE" of TheFARR 2027! A genuine achievement in itself. Go FARR International Film Festival 2027 summer cultural event, "4 Nights & 3 Days," could be the KEY to starting your acclaim. By helping us help you, we can celebrate!
THE
a unique "SECRET"
The Artur is TheFARR's Official Award.
There are many great talents deserving recognition.
Our signature ARTUR statuette is currently hidden in the design development vault with an incredible trophy house. Keeping it a secret is part of our playful mystery. We guarantee we'll reveal the ARTUR (pronounced "Ar-Tour") to the global industry in early 2027.
This beautiful, original award will be presented across multiple categories as voted on by our prestigious international jury, culminating in the Go FARR BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST ACTOR, BEST PROOF OF CONCEPT, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN, BEST EDITING, BEST SOUND, BEST MUSICAL PERFORMANCE, and many more... ARTURS.
The Winning ARTUR Awards Ceremony will be celebrated on Sunday, June 6th, 2027.
Our ultimate goal is for "ARTUR" to become the coveted 1st PLACE PRIZE for excellence in independent filmmaking, skill, and outstanding achievement. It represents a powerful and major pinnacle of cinematic ambition.
A true career highlight!
It's time to Go FARR. You could win an ARTUR!
GO FROM WHERE YOU ARE, TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE! GET SEEN.
The Go FARR International Film Festival submissions launched on FilmFreeway
November 2nd, 2026
"Our mandate is to discover visionary talents across a spectrum of skills, future super STARS who are in the here-and-now creating fabulous content while aspiring to produce high-concept, global, evergreen films of outstanding storytelling and performance that can indeed launch careers."
nov 2 - Dec 7
Early Bird - 5 weeks
$25 USD
Be one of the FIRST!
Dec 8 - Jan 20
Regular - 6 weeks
$35 USD
Cheer in the NEW YEAR!
Jan 21 - FEB 22
Late - 4 weeks
$45 USD
Do not miss the OPPORTUNITY!
Feb 23 – Mar 15
Extended - 3 weeks
$55 USD
Cutting it close. MIDNIGHT PST!
Submission Guidelines
TheFARR is seeking short film submissions from nearly every genre; ANIMATED or AI-GENERATED films ARE EXCLUDED. Films must be 20 minutes or less (including credits). Foreign-language films must include clear, legible ENGLISH subtitles. We ask that your film be produced after September of 2021. We believe the past 5 years is a fair time frame. Also, a film must have an original narrative with a beginning, middle, and end; one or more characters; multiple camera angles (or an amazing Spielberg-Oner) with complete editing and sound mixing. For films competing in our search for strong proof-of-concept, your creative concept must entice and clearly convey the story and its characters. Powerful enough to be viewed again and again, and to become a part of a major buzz everyone is talking about. Imagine... hundreds of cinephiles, industry pros, and audience guests may watch your short film. Do you think they would want to see more of your story? Show us what you have! It's easy to take part. To enter the Go FARR International Film Festival, complete the eligibility requirements and follow the clear submission information for our open-concept competition. You will find our “SPECIAL” new categories on our Film Freeway page. Check it out. Get yourself ready! Go FARR is new, but it follows two successful years of the Lightspeed Film Exhibition. With over 75 years of combined film production experience and festival/event knowledge, the Go FARR Executive Team, along with our excellent advisors, have packaged an extraordinary promotional event! June 3rd - 6th, 2027, will be a spectacular showcase celebrating a wide convergence of regional, national, and global cinema, creativity, talent, people, voices, music, and culture. See you there!
Take part... take ACTION!
as of November 2nd 2026
OPENING GO FARR GALA CELEBRATION • THEATRICAL BIG SCREEN PRESENTATIONS • GO FARR ACADEMY SOCIAL MEET-&-GREETS • PROFESSIONAL SPEED NETWORKING • INDUSTRY PANELS with SPECIAL GUESTS • PENTHOUSE COFFEE CHATS • LIVE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS • SMART ARTSY LESSONS • FUN & LAUGHTER • LIVE ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC & MYSTICAL MASCOTS • MEDIA ATTENTION/ANNOUNCEMENTS • THE GO FARR ARTUR AWARDS CLOSING CEREMONY
partners
BUILD THE FESTIVAL WITH US.
Go Farr is currently developing outstanding Sponsorships and Community Partnerships with Film-Industry Organizations, Unions and Guilds, Production Companies, Local Businesses, Hospitality and Tourism Sectors, Media Organizations and other aligned Visionary Sponsors.
INDUSTRY & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Supported by organizations across Vancouver Island and British Columbia's film community.
VisIonary Partners
FOUNDING CHAMPIONS
More to come...
YouR destination
Victoria, BC, CANADA
Your FILM'S PRIMARY DESTINATION - There will be surprises!
The VIC THEATRE - 808 Douglas Street
The Go FARR International Film Festival is being hosted in our home city, Victoria, BC, on beautiful Vancouver Island, Canada’s Pacific West Coast. Condé Nast Traveller magazine has named Victoria the #1 Best Small City in the World for the last four years in a row. And just announced... Condé Nast Traveller has named Vancouver Island the best island in North America in its 2026 Readers Choice Awards. Check us out.
Our International airport is YYJ. Also, Vancouver's major YVR International Airport is only 50 miles away on the mainland. Our coastal BC Ferries are frequent and fantastic, a few hours of incredible scenic vistas. So many beautiful ways to arrive...
You can also travel by float plane, heli-jet, sailboat, speedboat, by bicycle, or on foot from both the BC mainland and the U.S. Rental cars, even car shares, taxis, and Ubers, and friendly locals will guide you should you need additional directions or a map explaining how to find your way around. If you can get here, please do so! We'd love to see you!
As one of Canada's finest and most beautiful destinations for visitors, Victoria has a terrific Arts & Culture scene that never stops... this is who we are!
We acknowledge that the Go Farr International Film Festival takes place on the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
Doug Clement Photography
Meet the team
LEONARD FARR
DEIRDRE de BUTLER
VICTORIA CLEMENTS
President - FOUNDER & Executive Artistic Director
CEO - Co-Founder & Executive Festival Director
Marketing, Events, media & Sponsorship Director
Leonard is an emerging Filmmaker, Producer, Writer-Director, and Editor whose creative career has gained considerable momentum in recent years. With extensive story and writing experience in both short and long-form narrative filmmaking, as well as unscripted storytelling, he brings a broad understanding of the craft and the filmmaking process to the Festival World. He has edited and showcased 50 episodes of Ghost Town Living, an exploratory series that has accumulated more than 70 million views online. In early 2025 and 2026, he co-founded the successful "Lightspeed Film Exhibition" initiative, a new platform for filmmakers from Vancouver Island and BC's beautiful Gulf Islands. As an integral new Executive, he is helping strengthen the region's filmmaking community. Leonard is also an award-winning Filmmaker and Writer with more than 20 Laurels, including several 1st-place awards from Festivals around the world. As a determined Filmmaker, he understands being a competitor and an audience member. He knows what talented emerging filmmakers need from a great festival experience, offering a unique opportunity, and what meaningful recognition can do to propel a career forward. Leonard is a filmmaker-friendly champion, leading his namesake with the new Go FARR International Film Festival while overseeing its Programming Vision, Cultural Direction for a global audience, and filmmaker participation. His goal is to create an International Platform that discovers exciting new voices, talents, skills, and performers while having fun, and celebrating ambitious independent cinema that encourages filmmakers from around the world to give it a try and aim to Go FARR.
Deirdre brings a distinctive career spanning decades of creative vision, business, design and entertainment. Her professional journey began in Design, as a Creative Director and Brand Visionary helping to develop major label product and its Advertising, Marketing and Promotional Campaigns. Which naturally lead to the world of movie-making and Film Production! Initially working as a Story Editor analyzing and refining scripts, then as a Script Consultant evaluating story outlines, shaping the original narratives and story arcs of screenplays and teleplays into focus. Drawn to the unique, fast-paced creative environment of film production, she went on to establish herself as a professional Script Supervisor across an exceptional range of genres and productions. As a veteran IATSE 891 Script Department member she has worked on hundreds of episodes of television, movie specials and feature films for major Networks, Studios and Streaming Platforms. Working quietly behind the scenes collaborating with exceptional talents and teams across an amusing array of locations, sets and sound stages. Now her years of careers, are converging into one powerful creative force for the Arts & Culture vision of TheFARR. As leader and driving force behind Go FARR Entertainment and the Go FARR International Film Festival, Deirdre is building an ambitious initiative into a strategic world-class cultural event with intention, genuinely pursuing an international reach. Drawing on her extensive film industry experience, business acumen, humour and evolving expertise as a Producer, she brings strategic insight to the festivals development. With a talent for shaping bold ideas into exciting, compelling experiences, her primary goal is to elevate the Go FARR annual event into a celebratory showcase of creativity, cinematic excellence, networking and international collaboration while bringing the prestigious brand of the ARTUR Award to life as its signature honour. "My golden wish for independent filmmakers is that every creative talent, whether behind the scenes or centre stage on camera captures the opportunity to bring their art to life. Now, more than ever, is a great time to embrace ambition, to pursue your creative vision. Share your original film, your talent with the world. Rise to the challenge! With passion and determination do your best and compete for a coveted incredible 2027 ARTUR nomination. Let us discover your story. Your journey may place you on our Boulevard of Go FARR Dreams!"
Victoria Clements is a skilled Writer, Producer, Director, Casting Director and Entrepreneur with more than 40 years of experience in Arts & Media. She spent four years with Living Images Media; Writing, Producing and Directing Commercials, including Corporate training videos for government ministries in Victoria, BC. Returning to Vancouver in 1998, she sunk her teeth into Feature Films. Starting as a P.A., she quickly hopped, skipped and jumped her way into Location Scouting, Producer's Assistant, Director's Assistant and then Assistant to the Stars. She worked with the Wayans Brothers on their first Scary Movie franchise. Victoria created the “Schmoosh Cruise,” bringing hundreds of actors, filmmakers and industry suppliers together aboard a yacht for filmscreenings and networking. She later managed a Canadian/American independent Film & VFX company's Vancouver Studio also launching its Los Angeles office, overseeing Independent Feature Film Development, raising first financing, green lighting scripts and Marketing/Packaging the company's assets. In 2016, she founded the Victoria Film Industry Network and Events group, now 8,000 members strong. She has organized more than 40 sold-out Film Mixers featuring prominent industry speakers. Through Posh Intertainment, she has built sponsorship relationships with organizations including IATSE 891, Actsafe Safety Association and UBCP/ACTRA. Victoria helped expand the 2nd year of the Lightspeed Film Exhibition’s marketing, promotion, social media and industry connections, contributing to its sold-out 2026 event with a wait list. She brings her experience in Events, Sponsorships and Partnerships to the GO FARR International Film Festival, creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers and local businesses.
OUR ADVISORS
AcademY AWARD WINNING Production designer
Academy Award Winning American-Canadian Set Decorator Jim Erickson has provided brilliant Set Decoration and Design on over 35 Feature Films and several television movies. Jim has accumulated two Academy Award nominations for THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007) and LINCOLN (2013). Jim Erickson and Rick Carter were awarded the Academy Award "OSCAR" for Production Design for their impeccable work on Director Steven Spielberg’s Masterpiece LINCOLN (2013). That same year, Jim also received both BAFTA and Art Director’s Guild nominations for these same outstanding productions. Jim was honoured by a PRIMETIME EMMY AWARD nomination along side the Production Designer Geoffrey Kirkland for their incredible work on Philip Kaufman’s HEMINGWAY & GELHORN (2012). Jim Erickson has enjoyed decades of film excellence, and earned the love and respect of everyone who worked alongside him professionally. Each calling him a friend, collaborator and amazing man! Jim resides on one of our Canadian Gulf Islands nearby and is looking forward to assisting the Go FARR International Film Festival as an Advisor with our Production Design for both our Go FARR Opening Gala and Go FARR ARTUR Awards Closing Ceremony by sharing his extensive knowledge and experience. He will be presenting our Best Production Design ARTUR Award. Jim will be invited to enjoy our Penthouse Coffee Chats and looks forwards to engaging conversations with you.
Professional Photographer & Youtuber
Timothy West is a very popular Victoria, BC based Commercial Photographer & Videographer who specializes in Portraits, Fashion, Events, and Visual Storytelling. His work be it in studio or on location ranges from professional models, private clients, local businesses and their teams to capturing weddings and special celebrations year round. He is often seen, always smiling, busy covering community events week after week. Alongside his photography, Tim creates and produces video content for YouTube and brings a relaxed, people-focused approach to every project. He loves finding the candid moments and the genuine connections that make an event memorable. His beautiful photography speaks for itself. Tim is a joy to work with and Go FARR thanks him for the incredible headshots he captured of Leonard, Deirdre and Victoria for this front page! Tim is thrilled to be handling the photography for all of the events and promotional campaigns for the Go FARR International Film Festival and he's looking forward to seeing you out there!
Award Winning Documentary Filmmaker
From swimming with wild dolphins and whales to getting up close and personal, studying elephants in both Thailand and Africa, award-winning Canadian Producer and Filmmaker Patricia Sims has always kept a passionate eye on conservation. She has produced numerous documentaries around the world, focusing on Nature and Conservation Education and the interrelationships between humans and animals. Patricia is a Fellow International of The Explorers Club and a Fellow in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Patricia is the Co-Founder of World Elephant Day, a global awareness campaign that brings the much needed attention to the critical threats facing elephants. Launched in 2012, partnering with the renowned Elephant Reintroduction Foundation, the campaign now has participants in over 50 countries and is recognized by over 100 elephant conservation organizations worldwide. Based in British Columbia since 2005, Patricia founded CanazWest Pictures. Her productions include DocJam, a 15-part documentary series for Astral/Bell Media. She Produced, Directed and Wrote the multi-award-winning, Return to the Forest and the fascinating feature documentary, When Elephants Were Young. Both narrated by William Shatner. Her recent work includes Ravishing Rags, a three-part documentary series for TELUS Originals, on which she served as Producer, Director, Writer and Director of Photography. Patricia is thrilled to be an advisor for the Go FARR International Film Festival as our Documentary Advisor, and is looking forward to seeing your work!
Haus of Owl founder and Executive director
Jordan Dack is an ARTrepreneur who has spent 20 years building art-centred businesses, including Sound Kreations a highly regarded national arts/dance education company, and the Haus of Owl Creation Lab (HAUSOFOWL.COM) where he is Founder and Executive Director. He is also the Creator, Producer and Host of the Creative or Die interview series funded by Telus Storyhive. Haus of Owl is a curated creative house, within a truly unique, heritage commercial space in downtown Victoria... for a range of professional creatives, including up-and-coming actors, artists, musicians, filmmakers and more. His modern facility, VOX Studios delivers professional ADR and voice-over with record-to-picture and Source-Connect, so creative talents, performers and actors can record from the studio space while working in Victoria, allowing Directors to join in from anywhere in the world. Very convenient! Membership to Haus of Owl offers many talents, including actors, artists and filmmakers ongoing access to the scope of studios and offices, meeting rooms available, while connecting community with production support. The popular Dream Lounge, a comfortable well designed space is perfect for immersive screenings and special events. The Haus of Owl is within steps of downtown hotels and the interaction of downtown Victoria life. Haus of Owl is truly a ready-made creative facility, a home for visiting and local productions.
Creative & Digital Experiences
Mona Elliott is the Founder and Creative Mind behind Mona Elliott Web + Brand Lab, bringing over 18 years of experience in creative website design, business strategy and digital communications. Her professional background spans several industries including fashion and retail leadership with strong business development. She has led sales training for a multi-location national Canadian fashion retailer and spent a decade representing a Canadian beauty-haircare company, developing expertise within brand representation, relationship building strategic marketing & sales. Her entrepreneurial experience also includes developing and owning a wonderful contemporary Indigenous Art Gallery. With a passion for thoughtful design and meaningful storytelling, Mona works closely with businesses and organizations to bring their ideas to life through creative strategy and engaging digital experiences. In 2019, she proudly Co-Produced an Indigenous-led documentary highlighting the protection of traditional lands and old-growth forests in the northern region of Vancouver Island. Screened at multiple film festivals, then the project was paused in 2020 before gaining new momentum in 2022 through a collaboration with a Victoria-based sustainable clothing company, with plans to develop it into a larger documentary. Mona looks forward to contributing to the Go Farr International Film Festival through a collaborative spirit, creative vision, and digital expertise, helping support the festival's growth and creative community!
CHAIR CVIFF Comox Valley International Film Festival
Ian Langmann's interest in movies and film is life long but it is only recently that he has been able to re-engage with it. He enjoyed working in the Vancouver Movie industry for years before moving to the Comox Valley a decade ago and hopes his work with CVIFF promotes and prospers local and international filmmaker talents and the craft of storytelling. Ian is looking forward to the Go FARR International Film Festival and supporting it in any way CVIFF can. See you there!
Professional Photographer & Adventurer
Doug Clement is a well known and locally recognized Vancouver Island Photographer, based in beautiful Metchosin, British Columbia. Doug and his cherished dog Azu, travel together specializing in capturing the Natural Beauty, Landscapes, Landmarks and hidden corners of Vancouver Island. Through his photography, Doug aims to showcase the incredible scenery, character and stories that make Vancouver Island such a special place. His work celebrates everything from dramatic coastal views and breathtaking sunrises to historic landmarks and the smaller details that are often overlooked. Over the years, Doug has built a growing engaged online community of Photography Enthusiasts and Local Explorers who share his passion for discovering and appreciating the beauty of British Columbia. He has an impressive 63K following on his curated Doug Clement Photography Facebook page and almost 22K followers on his Instagram page. Join in! Doug is constantly updating his recent work. Enjoy! His goal is simple: to capture moments that inspire people to explore, appreciate and see familiar places in a whole new way. Doug is thrilled to be involved with the Go FARR International Film Festival where you'll see his photos rotating through the site and featured at our Opening Gala and Closing ARTUR Awards Ceremony. He wishes you the best with your own film adventure!
President of the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival Society
Johnny Blakeborough co-founded the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival in 2005 and was the Executive Director until 2015. He is an award-winning short film producer and podcaster. He is an educator and technologist at Vancouver Island University, where he is also the Secretary Treasurer of the Faculty Association, a member of the University Senate and a Governor of the Board. Johnny is also the Broadcast Producer of Desert Bus for Hope, an online, yearly telethon that has raised over 20 million Canadian dollars for Child’s Play, a Children’s Hospital Charity, since 2007. Johnny is looking forward to the Go FARR International Film Festival and supporting it in any way the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival can. Looking forward to seeing you at the fest!
More to come...
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