The Awards
The CAFTCAD (The Canadian Alliance for Film and Television Costume Arts and Design) Awards is a celebration of Canadian costume arts and design, recognizing the immensity of talent in this country. The scope of the awards reflects the range of abilities in contemporary, period and fantasy elements, differing media platforms, running lengths and budgets.
Costume designers and artisans who are either Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and have worked on projects (feature film, short film, television, music videos, web series, commercials) which have been produced within Canada (costumes must have been primarily built/created in Canada) will be eligible with exemption to Costume Design in TV & Film International Awards. The eligibility period for the 2026 CAFTCAD Awards is September 1, 2024 to March 1, 2026 for projects that have been released theatrically, online, on streaming services, on television/cable, or participated in accredited film festivals.
The CAFTCAD Awards are open to both CAFTCAD Members and all Costumers in the Canadian Film and Television industries.
Award
Categories
Award Categories include:
• Film: Contemporary
• Film: Period
• Film: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• TV: Contemporary
• TV: Period
• TV: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• Original Web Series
• Commercials
• Music Videos
• Short Films
• The Industry Icon Award
• Costume Design in International TV & Film
• International Costume Designer for Canadian Film & TV
• Craft Categories for Excellence in Textile Art, Illustration, Building, and SPFX Building
Event Details
The CAFTCAD Awards will be back in 2026!
“A ceremony which honours the excellence in design achievements of Canadian costumers and artisans is long overdue. Their contribution to the evolution of the Canadian film and television industry cannot be underestimated and recognizing these immense talents with a proper event that allows for nation-wide eligibility is something I am very proud to be spearheading.”
The Team
The CAFTCAD Awards is an incorporated, not-for-profit entity made up of enthusiastic volunteers who believe strongly that Film, Television and Media Arts Costume Design and Arts in Canada deserve their own recognition at a gala event.
If you’re interested in joining the CAFTCAD Awards Committee, email membershipservices@caftcad.com for more information.
About CAFTCAD
CAFTCAD began from a collective desire to bring together costume professionals from all corners of the industry, regardless of union affiliation. Through shared interest, respect and passion for the costume arts, CAFTCAD provides its members with an online and physical forum, promoting open discussion, shared learning, resources and professional networking.
Promotion of our members profiles, achievements and projects are just some of CAFTCAD’s many goals. Educational seminars, speaker series, industry product information, events and related promotions from our suppliers play an active role in creative and professional development. Focus is also placed on increasing both public and media awareness of our craft.
From our honorary members to emerging students of costume, we embrace the full spectrum of experience and knowledge embodied by our membership. We celebrate the contributions of Canadian costume designers and artisans in the international industry of filmmaking.
With support from the fashion industry that includes suppliers, wholesalers, retailers and fashion designers combined with the film industry’s unions, guilds, suppliers and retailers, our goal is to establish branding recognition of our organization, its members, their talent and services available within Canada.
As we continue to combine the forces of local costume professionals we also have plans to expand beyond our province’s borders. Our intent is to evolve into a nationwide association, establishing local chapters in every film centre in the country, providing a national organization for all Canadian costume professionals.
CAFTCAD was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization May 2nd, 2008. We have established by-laws and a constitution, criteria, levels of membership and a structured election process. Our Executive Board is made up of all three sectors of our industry, providing a clear, non-partisan membership-driven vision of the Alliance’s mandate and goals.
Timeline for the 2026 CAFTCAD Awards
All times displayed in Eastern Standard Time
Qualifying Airing Period for Submissions:
September 1, 2024 - March 1, 2026
2026 Submissions will be available soon!
2026 Early Bird Submissions
Monday September 15, 2025 – Monday, October 13, 2025 at 23:59
Last day to receive payment for Early Bird Submissions:
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Regular Priced Submissions:
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Monday, November 10, 2025 at 23:59
Last day to receive payment for Regular Priced Submissions:
Monday, November 10, 2025
Round One Voting by Selected Jury:
Monday, November 17, 2025 - Friday, December 19, 2025
Official Nominees Announcement:
Monday, January 12, 2026
The Industry Icon Award Recipient Announcement:
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Round Two Voting by CAFTCAD Membership on Official Nominees:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - Sunday, February 8, 2026
Last Day to Sign Up as a CAFTCAD Member to be Eligible to Vote:
Saturday, January 26, 2026
The CAFTCAD Awards:
TBD