Call for Applications: Three Curatorial Opportunities, Images Festival 2027

Curator-in-Residence Program + Curatorial Residency & Submissions Coordinator Job Opportunity + Emerging Curator Program

Deadlines: August 1, 2026

Images Festival Curator-in-Residence

As we prepare for the 2027 Images Festival, we are thrilled to invite applications for our Curator-in-Residence program. One curator will be selected from this process to join the 2026 residency. This selected curator will be invited to develop programming in response to the festival’s recurring theme, “Metabolizing Moving Images,” and will curate a minimum of two screenings by reviewing and selecting work submitted through our open call. The selected Curator-in-Residence will receive a curatorial honorarium of $4,000 CAD, a separate programming budget, and comprehensive administrative and production support from the festival team—including hosting in-person screening sessions of festival submissions; artist contracting and payment; media quality control; venue coordination; communications and outreach support; editorial assistance; and more. The resident will be supported by the Residency and Submissions Coordinator and will have access to the Images Festival archive, office, and shared spaces at 401 Richmond.

Over the course of the residency, the curator will participate in collective submission screening sessions, attend regular meetings, and be present for their own curated programs during the festival. Each resident will develop and deliver at least two moving image programs, incorporating at least one open call submission per program, meeting all Canadian content requirements, and will write a programmatic essay for each program. Public, post-screening discussions featuring participating artists are expected, though alternative public engagement proposals are welcome, pending approval by the Programming Director. A final residency feedback form will be required after the festival concludes.

The 2026 residency will host up to three Curators-in-Residence working both independently and in dialogue with one another. While each curator may develop their own distinct programs, shared discussion, feedback, and mutual support across the cohort are encouraged. Residents must be available to attend in-person submission screening sessions (approx. 800 short films of varying lengths) and must be present in Toronto to participate during October and November. The residency runs from September 21, 2026 to May 2027, inclusive.

The festival is scheduled for April 2027, with exact dates to be confirmed.

For more information on how to apply, visit here.

Deadline to Apply: August 1, 2026

Curatorial Residency & Submissions Coordinator

Contract Term: September 15 – December 18, 2026 (Approx. 15 weeks)
Schedule: 3 days/week (Approx. 21 hours/week)
Rate: $26/hour
Total Contract Fee: $8,000
Location: In-person (Toronto)

Images Festival is seeking a Curatorial Residency & Submissions Coordinator to support the pre-production phase of our 2026–2027 Curatorial Residency Program and the submissions review process for the 2027 Festival.

This is a short-term, part-time contract focused on curatorial facilitation, artist-centered communication, and submissions logistics. Reporting to the Programming Director, this role supports the onboarding and project development of Curators-in-Residence and facilitates the review of artist submissions. The position concludes in late December 2026, when the festival production timelines for the Curatorial Residency begin.

This role is ideal for someone who is highly organized, collaborative, motivated, and excited by experimental moving image culture. We are looking for a clear communicator who thrives in a facilitative role and is energized by working alongside critically-engaged artists and curators. Flexibility with scheduling—including evening and weekend availability—is essential, as the role involves regular engagement with Curators-in-Residence.

For more information on how to apply, visit here.

Deadline to Apply: August 1, 2026

Images Festival Emerging Curator

As we prepare for the 2027 Images Festival, we are thrilled to invite applications for the Images Festival Emerging Curator (IFEC) program. One emerging curator will be selected from this process to join the 2026-27 programming team. This selected curator will be invited to develop programming in response to the festival’s recurring theme, “Metabolizing Moving Images,” and will curate one screening by reviewing and selecting student work submitted through our open call.

The IFEC will receive a curatorial honorarium of $2,000 CAD, a separate programming budget, and comprehensive administrative and production support from the festival team—including hosting in-person screening sessions of festival submissions; artist contracting and payment; media quality control; venue coordination; communications and outreach support; editorial assistance; and more. The resident will be supported by the Residency and Submissions Coordinator and will have access to the Images Festival archive, office, and shared spaces at 401 Richmond.

Over the course of the residency, the curator will participate in submission screening, attend regular meetings, and be present for their own curated programs during the festival. They will deliver one moving image program, meeting all Canadian content requirements, and will write a programmatic essay for each program. Public, post-screening discussions featuring participating artists are expected, though alternative public engagement proposals are welcome, pending approval by the Programming Director.

The opportunity takes place in-person from September 21, 2026 to May 2027, inclusive.

The festival is scheduled for April 2027, with exact dates to be confirmed.

For more information on how to apply, visit here.

Deadline to Apply: August 1, 2026

401 Richmond Street West, Suite 451
Toronto, ON M5V 3A8 Canada

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