Our Commitment
A cornerstone of Blood in the Snow Film Festival's belief system is that everyone has the right to respect, as well as fair and equitable treatment from others. BITS is committed to providing a safe and welcoming experience for all — regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ancestry, place of origin, ethnicity, religion, creed, immigration status, or socioeconomic status.
Blood in the Snow Film Festival is a space where audiences, filmmakers, and all attendees can safely explore boundaries, artistic taboos, and underground cinema. While we do not condone censorship, we will not tolerate violence, mistreatment, or harassment — verbal, physical, sexual, or otherwise — towards staff, volunteers, delegates, audience members, or attendees at any of our festivals, screenings, conferences, or events.
This Code of Conduct applies to all festival participants — attendees, filmmakers, press, sponsors, volunteers, and staff — at all festival venues, after-parties, industry events, and official communications including social media.
What Is Harassment
Harassment can take many forms, including but not limited to:
- Unwanted sexual attention or sexual advances
- Inappropriate jokes, comments, or messages — verbal, written, or visual
- Threats or deliberate intimidation
- Discriminatory language or conduct based on any of the grounds listed above
- Unwanted physical contact
- Photographing or recording any person without their explicit consent
- Stalking or following another person
- Sustained disruption of screenings, panels, or events
- Advocating for or encouraging any of the above behaviours
Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to a safe and respectful environment. Our staff and volunteers are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for all attendees. If the safety of any of our guests is in question, we will take immediate steps to ensure the matter is addressed.
Consequences
We reserve the right to revoke festival passes and privileges without notice should any of the above behaviours be detected. Festival staff have the authority to remove anyone from the venue immediately. Depending on the severity of the conduct, consequences may include:
- A formal warning
- Removal from the event without a refund
- A ban from future BITS events
- Referral to law enforcement where applicable
Reporting an Issue
If you experience or witness unacceptable behaviour, please report it. Speak up with confidence — you can report in the way that feels safest for you:
- In person: Approach any volunteer or staff member and ask to speak to Guest Services.
- By email: info@bloodinthesnow.ca — monitored throughout the festival.
All reports are taken seriously, investigated promptly, and handled with discretion. The identity of anyone making a report will be kept confidential. Retaliation against anyone who makes a good-faith report is itself a violation of this Code of Conduct and will be treated accordingly.
For immediate emergencies, please call 911.
Canadian Creative Industries Code of Conduct
Blood in the Snow Film Festival supports the principles of the Canadian Creative Industries Code of Conduct (opens in new tab), a coalition commitment to zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, bullying, and violence across Canada's creative industries.
Know Your Rights
Consult the Ontario Human Rights Code (opens in new tab) for more information on your rights under Ontario law.