Q: Do you charge submission fees to submit?

A: No, we never charge submission fees.

Q: Do you pay screening fees / rental fees for films presented?

A: Yes, we always pay everyone a screening/rental fee. The amount is at or above the current IMAA Fee Schedule and is based on the duration of your film.

Q. Do you consider works in progress / rough cuts?

A: Yes, absolutely! Please give us as much information about what is yet to come with your submission application.

Q: Does the film have to have some connection to mental health, addiction, wellness, recovery?

A: Yes, but Rendezvous takes a very “wide angle” approach to the films we present and we try not to define what makes a “Rendezvous film” – how explicitly the content references topics of mental health, addiction, wellness and/or recovery is up to you (you’re the creator after all!). We do show all genres: Documentary, Fiction, Animation, Experimental, Hybrid and are open to all forms and lengths. Your film’s relation to these topics may be direct in context or more abstract in form. We are open-minded. We aim to represent a variety of perspectives, stories and approaches and suggest you look at the recent films we’ve presented HERE for a sense of the kinds of works we screen.

Q: You mention you accept “recent” films – what does that mean exactly?

A:  At Rendezvous, we like to be as generous as we can; but generally we’ll consider films from the past 5 years. If your film is older than that tell us why you think we need to see it and show it now.

Q: Does my film need to have open captions or subtitles to be considered for Rendezvous?

A: We do require English subtitles for public exhibition. If your film is in another language kindly supply a preview with English subtitles. If this is not possible please contact us. We present ALL films with open captions (dialogue and sound effects) – if you have this available, we would be grateful – otherwise we will create a caption file and provide you with a copy at no charge. We provide open captioning to make our films accessible to deaf/hard of hearing audiences.

Q: Does the film have to be a Toronto/Canadian/North American/World premiere?

A: No, we prefer not to add these restrictions to filmmakers/distributors!

Q: Do you require the film to be geoblocked / region restricted?

A: No we do not, we prefer to have the films available worldwide to have a larger audience see your film and participate in panels/Q&A’s (discussions are always available worldwide!); but we will work with you on your distribution preference.

Q: If the film is accepted will you bring me to Toronto to join a Q&A or panel? Will there be an online discussion if the program is streaming online?

A: Our travel budget is limited; but we try and bring as many creators to Rendezvous as possible and appreciate offers to apply for travel funding (we can always provide a letter of invitation). Rendezvous prioritizes post-event discussions (panels/Q&A’s/interviews) and we hope that you will participate in these discussions to share your film with our engaged audiences. We look forward to working with you to create the best scenario to have you participate in the program and discussion!

Q: What sort of accessibility supports does Rendezvous offer?

A: Please click here for a list of Accessibility supports at the Rendezvous With Madness Festival. Please contact us if you have any suggestions or feedback as we’re trying to be as accessible as possible!

Q: How does Rendezvous select the films it presents?

A: We have a 5-person programming committee with extensive media arts experience as programmers and creators. In 2022 all committee members identified as having lived experience with mental health and/or addictions. The program committee decides as a group which films are selected and tries to balance the strength of the films’ form and content alongside important considerations including balancing representation of genders, cultures, abilities, geographies, cultures and ways of telling stories through the magic medium of film!

Q: Do you charge submission fees to submit?

A: No, we never charge submission fees.

Q: Do you pay artist fees?

A: Yes, we always pay an artist fee to artists participating in the exhibition. The amount is at or above the current CARFAC group exhibition recommendations.

Q:  Do you consider works in progress?

A: Yes, absolutely! Please give us as much information about what is yet to come with your submission application and any relevant supporting documentation of previous work to help support the work in progress being proposed. Please identify any specific details that are integral to its installation as well.

Q:  Does the artwork have to have some connection to mental health, addiction, wellness, recovery?

A: Yes, but Rendezvous takes a very broad approach to the artwork we present and we try not to define what makes a “Rendezvous Exhibition” – how explicitly the content references topics of mental health, addiction, wellness and/or recovery is up to you. We do exhibit all media: painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, textile, collage, installation, media-based art, digital art, performance art, video art, and are open to more. We suggest you look at previous Rendezvous exhibitions we’ve presented HERE for a sense of the kinds of artwork we exhibit.

Q:  You mention you accept “recent” artwork – what does that mean exactly?

A:  At Rendezvous, we like to be as generous as we can; but generally we’ll consider artwork created from the past five years unless it is an ongoing piece. If your artwork is older than that tell us why you think we need to show it now.

Q:  I have a performance art piece. Do I apply to the Exhibition call or to the Live Performance call?

A:  The live performance call is asking for site-specific pieces/projects that speak to the available venues listed in its call found below, it also applies to any performance pieces which can fall under the theatre umbrella. Any performance pieces that apply to a gallery setting or under the visual art umbrella should be submitted to the exhibition call.

Q: I have a video art piece. Do I apply to the Exhibition call or to the Film call?

A: The film call is for film or video art pieces intended to be screened in a cinema setting, whether in-person or online. For more info, visit the open call page for film above. Any video pieces that apply to a gallery setting or under the visual art umbrella should be submitted to the exhibition call.

Q:  Do I have to be a Toronto/Canadian artist to participate?

A: No, we do not limit where the artist is based. In the past, we’ve exhibited artists from across Canada and the world, including the United States and France.

Q:  If the artwork is accepted will you bring me to Toronto to join a Q&A or panel? Will there be an online discussion if the program is streaming online?

A: Our travel budget is limited; but we try and bring as many creators to Rendezvous as possible and appreciate offers to apply for travel funding (we can always provide a letter of invitation).

Rendezvous prioritizes post-event discussions (panels/Q&A’s/interviews) and we hope that you will participate in these discussions to share about your work and practice with our engaged audiences. We look forward to working with you to create the best scenario to have you participate in the program and discussion.

Q:  What sort of accessibility supports does Rendezvous offer?

A: Please click here for a list of Accessibility supports at the Rendezvous With Madness Festival. Please contact us if you have any suggestions or feedback as we’re trying to be as accessible as possible!

Q:  How does Rendezvous select the artwork it exhibits?

A: In the past, we’ve worked with curators and juries with extensive visual arts experience as programmers and creators within the larger art community. This year we plan to do the same. The artworks that are selected try to balance the strength of the artistic concepts, content, and messaging alongside important considerations including balancing representation of genders, cultures, abilities, geographies, and ways of telling stories through the art form used.

Q: What is a site-specific proposal?

A: For a site-specific piece, artists are asked to propose projects which creatively and effectively transform the space and allow audiences to engage with each other and the site. There are multi-purpose rooms available in the Community Centre Building. Please note that the multi-purpose rooms will not be configured with a stage and will remain more like a classroom in both feel and functionality. We will post pictures here in the coming days.

Q: Do you charge submission fees to submit?

A: There is no cost to participate in the festival and productions receive 70% of the box office revenue. Individual tickets prices range from $0 to $12.

Q: Which venues are available?

A: There are two venues available for live performances: 

1. CAMH Auditorium/Theatre 1025 Queen Street West 300 seat theatre with comprehensive lighting/sounds capabilities  
2. CAMH Community Centre 1001 Queen Street West Site-specific proposals.

Q: What else do productions recieve?

A:

·         Complete box office services

·         Complete front of house services

·         Promotional and marketing support

·         Up to 30 hours of free rehearsal space, if available.

·         Production bursary of $500

·         A minimum of 5 performances throughout the 11 days festival in the venue of their choice

·         Production time slots 30-90 minutes in length

Q: What does it mean “to prioritize artists with lived experience in the work”?

A: Artists must integrate the topic of mental health or addiction into the fabric of their work. We will prioritize projects where members of the artistic team have lived experience with mental health or addiction issues and where the content or subject matter addresses or explores mental health or addiction issues in a sophisticated and artistically grounded way.