2026 Blood in the Snow

Film Festival · Deadly Exposure · Horror Development Lab

🇨🇦 Fearless Canadian Horror

🩸 Isabel Bader Theatre · Toronto · Nov 16–21

Submissions Open Feb 1

Photo of BITS2025 poster art illustration of a blue ice skull breaking through the ice of a frozen cave in the snow. Photo of BITS2025 poster art illustration of a blue ice skull breaking through the ice of a frozen cave in the snow.

NEWS

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BITS Radio Podcast

🩸 A new season of BITS Radio drops in February — Recorded live at BITS 2025! 🎧 Go behind the scenes with Canadian genre filmmakers.


BITSRADIO.CA
2026 Submissions
2026 Film Submissions open in Feb

🩸 Get Ready! — BITS 2026 Film submissions officially open on Film Freeway February 1st!


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About Us

🩸 15 yrs of boundary-pushing Canadian horror, genre & underground cinema — bold storytelling, fearless film

Festival Director Kelly Michael Stewart on stage
Horror Sci-fi Genre Canada 🇨🇦

🇨🇦 The Blood in the Snow Film Festival (BITS) celebrates the best in contemporary Canadian horror, genre, and underground cinema — championing bold storytelling, independent voices, and films that push creative and social boundaries. Based in Toronto, BITS unites audiences, media, and industry partners to showcase and elevate Canadian genre film. Founded in 2012 and registered as a not-for-profit in 2015, the festival continues to amplify the artistry and innovation of Canada’s genre filmmakers.

What we do
  • Premiere Canadian horror & genre cinema
  • Run the BITS Film Festival, Deadly Exposure Industry Conference & BITS Horror Development Lab
  • Host filmmaker Q&As, panels & networking events
  • Champion independent creators & bold storytelling
Where & when
Festival Team 2025
The people behind BITS
Core Festival Team
  • Kelly Michael Stewart
    Festival Director & Founder
  • Vanessa Magic
    Development Coordinator
  • Emily Dix
    Industry Coordinator
  • Sarah Parrish
    Web, Social Media & Front of House Coordinator
  • Adam Reich
    Print Traffic Coordinator
  • Cassandra John
    Volunteer Coordinator (Frederica Black Events)
  • Shanice Bowrin
    Lab & Industry Assistant
  • Cebastian Roberts
    Front of House
  • Stephane Allard
    Theatre Traffic Editor & Production
Film Programmers

Kassy Gascho, Nadine L'Esperance, Norman McGlashan, Dara Jade Moats, Heidy Morales, Kelly Michael Stewart, Melanie Turner

Development Lab

Leads: Heather Buckley, Anelle Dehghani, Rueben Martell

Jury: Joanne Belluco, Joel H. Brewster, Theresa Cutknife, Raine Petrie, Chloe Navaretnam

Film Awards Juries
Features

Trey Anderson, August Kyss, Jessie Robbins, Colin Van Loon

Shorts

Ashli Agate, Rachel Beaulieu, Dre Boulet, Luis Ceriz

Creative & Support
  • Creative Direction & Design: Small Dog Design
  • On-Site Logistics: Sanjay Mohanta, Cindy Hinds
  • BITS Radio Host: Robert Bellamy
  • Photography: Colleen Yates (festival), Kseniia Pankova (industry)
  • Bumper Animation: Lance Fernandes
  • Bumper Music: Joshua Love
  • DJ’s: DJ D-Rock & DJ Osaze
Partners & Services
  • Insurance: Marquee Insurance
  • Legal (IP): Shift Law
  • Bookkeeping: Michelle Herscu, MLHC
  • Accounting: Wilson Woo, Oasis LLP
Board of Directors 2025 - 2026
  • Kelly Michael Stewart - Chair
  • Cindy Hinds - Vice Chair
  • Jen Gorman - Secretary-Treasurer
  • Sarah Parrish - Member at Large
  • Melanie Turner - Member at Large
Festival sponsor logos including Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates, and more

Testimonials

"Can't say enough about this fest. It's fun, inviting and inclusive. Kelly and his team have dialed this thing in and it's clear they care about the details. I'd recommend this fest to anyone and everyone."

photo of Dallas Soonias

Dallas Soonias

(Development Lab 2024 Alum)

"Incredible community, amazing program, and just wonderful people."

photo of Olivia Loccisano

Olivia Loccisano

(BITS 2023, 2024 Alum)

"What a beauty! The passion for film and empowering filmmakers is highly apparent at this festival. Was blown away by the programming, the stunning venue, the after parties and so much more. The networking was absolutely insane here. Very enthusiastic hats off to the organizers and HIGHLY encourage genre filmmakers to make submitting to this festival a priority!"

photo of Norm Coyne

Norm Coyne

(BITS 2024 Filmmaker)

"Awesome festival! Great location and venue. The staff and volunteers are incredible. Hands down one of the best genre festivals to check out."

photo of Sean Oliver

Sean Oliver

(BITS 2024 Alum)

"Loved my experience at BITS 2024! The team, the venues and the crowd were great! Hope to be selected again in the future :)"

photo of Simon Madore

Simon Madore

(BITS 2024 Alum)