The cinema, our classroom. Every story, a window.
Now in its 14th year, welcoming thousands of GTA students each spring for curated international screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and curriculum-linked workshops.
About the festival
Film as a classroom
Now in its 14th edition, the ICFF Youth Festival is Canada’s leading educational film program for students from Grades 1 to 12.
Presented every spring since 2013, it welcomes thousands of students from across the GTA for screenings that spark meaningful conversations about culture, identity, and global citizenship. Each film is accompanied by curriculum-linked educational materials, while Q&As and workshops allow students to explore cinema as both an art form and a tool for learning, creativity, and connection.
Our mission
The ICFF Youth Festival inspires the next generation through the power of cinema.
Our mission is to use film as a tool for learning, cultural discovery, language development, and creative expression. By connecting students with stories from around the world, the festival fosters critical thinking, empathy, and an appreciation for diversity — while introducing youth to careers in the film and creative industries.
What we offer
More than a screening
Curriculum-Connected Screenings
Films chosen to reflect diverse cultures and social themes, aligned with the Ontario curriculum.
Educational Packages
Pre- and post-screening lesson plans by Ontario Certified Teachers.
Exclusive BTS & Cast Interviews
Behind-the-scenes content and interviews with the cast and crew of the films students see on screen.
Cultural Discovery
An opportunity to explore the world’s cultures and values through cinema — empathy, inclusion, diversity.
For teachers
How booking works
Submit the form
Fill out the booking form with your school, grade, and group size.
We hold your seats
You’ll be contacted to confirm. Seats are held for 2 weeks, until the deposit is received.
Confirm your numbers
Final group numbers are due at least 3 weeks before your selected screening date.
Screening day
Arrive 45 min early. A teacher signs in at the ICFF table. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Where it happens
Four Toronto venues
West Toronto · Etobicoke
Cineplex Cinemas Queensway
1025 The Queensway
Etobicoke, ON M8Z 6C7
East Toronto · Scarborough
Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough
300 Borough Drive
Scarborough, ON M1P 4P5
Our supporters
FAQ
Good to know
Everything teachers need to plan the trip. Can’t find your answer? Write to youth@icff.ca.
The festival
When is the ICFF Youth Festival? +
2–9 April 2027.
Where are the screenings held? +
Screenings take place across four Toronto venues: TIFF Lightbox, Cineplex Cinemas Yorkdale, Cineplex Cinemas Queensway, and Cineplex Cinemas Scarborough. You choose your preferred venue when submitting the booking form.
Booking, Payment & Changes
ICFF is a not-for-profit organization making cinema and the arts accessible to students. When we reserve seats for your school, those seats are no longer available to other schools. Cancellations or significant reductions can leave seats unfilled and create financial losses.
We understand that school trip plans can change. Please review the booking policy below and let us know about changes as early as possible. We’re here to help and will do our best to accommodate reasonable requests.
How do I book, and what are the ticket prices? +
Complete our booking form. Your booking is confirmed when ICFF issues your booking confirmation.
Student tickets are $10 and adult tickets are $14, including HST. One adult attends free for every 20 students.
When is payment due? +
A 50% deposit is due within two weeks of your booking confirmation. The remaining balance is due three weeks before your screening.
For bookings made three weeks or less before the screening, full payment is required at the time of booking.
Failure to submit payment or respond to reminders does not cancel your booking.
Can I change the number of students? +
Student numbers may be reduced by up to 20% of the original booking until three weeks before your screening. If no changes are received by this deadline, the original count becomes final. After the deadline, the school is responsible for full payment for the final booked count, including students who are absent.
All changes must be emailed to youth@icff.ca and confirmed by ICFF in writing. Additional seats are subject to availability.
For bookings made three weeks or less before the screening, student numbers are final upon booking confirmation and cannot be reduced.
What if I need to cancel? +
You may cancel without charge by emailing youth@icff.ca within two weeks of your booking confirmation, provided the cancellation is received more than three weeks before your screening.
After the two-week cancellation period, cancellations are subject to a charge of 50% of the original booking total, whether or not the deposit has been paid. Any deposit already paid counts toward this charge.
Cancellations made three weeks or less before the screening are subject to full payment. Failure to pay or respond to reminders does not cancel your booking.
What if I book within three weeks of the screening? +
Student numbers are final upon booking confirmation and cannot be reduced. The two-week cancellation period does not apply, and the school is responsible for the full booking amount, including in the event of cancellation or student absences.
For bookings made three weeks or less before the screening, full payment is required at the time of booking. Additional seats are subject to availability.
On the day
When should I arrive for the screening? +
Please arrive 45 minutes before your screening time so you can be seated accordingly (first-come, first-served).
Who do I speak to upon arrival? +
Please have a teacher sign in at the ICFF registration table. Please do not go to the Cineplex ticket counter.
Will all students from one group be seated together? +
Yes, although seating arrangements will be on a first-come-first-served basis and we cannot seat you until your entire party is in attendance.
Will there be concessions open? +
Concessions are available by pre-order only. Popcorn and drinks are paid in advance to avoid delays on the day of the screening. The teacher collects the money from each student and sends the total to ICFF ahead of the screening, and each student receives a coupon to redeem at the concession counter.
What food and drink can I pre-order? +
Small popcorn & bottled drink ($15 flat).
Movie archive
Past editions
More than 90 films screened for Ontario students
Spring 2027
Bring your class to the cinema
Bookings for the 2027 edition open shortly after the lineup announcement at the end of October 2026.
