Festival Policies

Artificial intelligence (AI) generated art will not be permitted at TCAF. As an independent, nonprofit festival committed to platforming and promoting the creative comic arts and the breadth and diversity in artists and makers, TCAF reserves the right to request immediate removal of any AI generated art exhibited at the festival. 

We aim to provide a safe, inclusive, and harassment-free space for all festival attendees, and expect that all festival attendees including exhibitors, members of the public, publishers, community partners, and TCAF staff and volunteers, should abide by this code of conduct across all digital and in person environments.

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Disruptive, intrusive, violent, threatening, abusive, discriminatory or harassing language or conduct of any kind is not allowed in festival physical or digital spaces, including across social media platforms. Online doxxing in the lead up, during or after the festival is a form of harassment and abuse, and will not be tolerated. Physical or intrusive behaviour during registration, set up, the in-person festival, or tear down is not allowed. 
 
Harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwanted and/or discriminatory advances, intimidation, stalking, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention or other verbal or physical conduct of a discriminatory or non-consensual nature.
 
People creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment by engaging in such conduct are unwelcome at the festival and will be escorted out. TCAF reserves the right to revoke tabling privileges for exhibitors who create an unsafe, uncomfortable, and unwelcoming festival space for attendees including fellow exhibitors, community partners, publishers, and TCAF volunteers and staff.
 
If you feel that you are being harassed or if you see someone being harassed, please do one of the following:

• Call 911 (in an emergency) 

• Tell Mattamy venue security;

• Tell a TCAF Volunteer (Wearing a TCAF VOLUNTEER shirt)

• Tell a TCAF Staff Member (Wearing a TCAF STAFF badge)

• Email us at contact@torontocomics.com 

 
TCAF has sole discretion in determining what constitutes a breach of code of conduct or harassment under these policies and reserves the right to take immediate action against anyone who violates these policies, up to and including expulsion from TCAF (with no refund) and refusal to allow admission to future TCAF festivals.

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If you have any questions, or would like to provide feedback or input on this policy, please email us at contact@torontocomics.com 

Exhibitor and Programming Applications - Decision Policy
All decisions are final. If a spot becomes available, TCAF will contact at their discretion waitlisted applications directly, using the information provided. Waitlist spots - if they become available - generally start to open up in April after final payment deadlines for accepted applicants. Contacted applicants from the waitlist will have 48 hours (2 business days) to confirm their interest. Please note that due to the large number of applicants, TCAF staff are unable to provide specific information on your application status or current placement on the waitlist. Repeated inquiries to TCAF staff, volunteers or board members about these questions will not get a response. Your patience and continued support of TCAF is greatly appreciated.

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Cancellation Policy - TCAF 2026

If you need to cancel, you can do so with no penalty up until Monday, April 27th, 2026 at 11:59pm ET. You will receive a FULL REFUND.

Cancelling between April 28th, 2026 - May 18th, 2026 at 11:59pm ET:
75% REFUND

When cancelling from May 19th, 2026 onward through the festival:
50% REFUND

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We understand that this is a change from previous years, so please take note, and inform us as soon as possible should you need to cancel. TCAF is a non-profit and there are many challenges associated with recouping table losses leading up to and during the festival.

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In the event that you have made arrangements with us ahead of time in regards to late payments, we will accommodate those as fairly as possible. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding this new policy.

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This refund / cancellation policy does not apply to cases of breach of code of conduct / harassment that result in the revoking of tabling privileges and can include - but are not limited to - pre festival disruptive behaviour, harassment, doxxing, etc. 

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NOTE: If you do not pay by the deadline (and have not contacted us to alert us about a reason for a delay in payment, or responded to communication from us regarding payment) we will assume that you are not able to table and will give away your table to an exhibitor on our waitlist. 
 

Exhibitor and Programming Applications - Privacy Policy

The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) collects and manages personal information provided through our exhibitor, guest, and programming applications. We respect your privacy and are committed to using this information responsibly.

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1. Information We Collect

We collect personal and professional details you provide as part of your application, such as:

• Name, contact information, and organization details

• Biographical information, project details, and sample work

• Demographic or accessibility information (optional and used for equity reporting only)

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2. How We Use This Information

Your information is used to:

• Review and administer your application for participation in TCAF.

• Communicate with you about your submission, acceptance, logistics, and festival updates.

• Compile anonymized data for program evaluation and reporting to funders.

• Promote your participation (if accepted) on the TCAF website and related platforms.

We will not share your personal data with third parties outside the festival’s operations, except as required by law or for necessary administrative functions (e.g., payment processing, marketing consent, event coordination).

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NOTE: we cannot give out private information / table information / exhibitor information to someone who is not the exhibitor and/or applicant. If you applied to table as a solo artist, TCAF will not be able to give out information to your friend, family member, spouse, etc, unless you have both officially put in an application to table together.

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3. Photography and Documentation

TCAF events are documented through photography and video. By participating as an exhibitor, guest, or presenter, you consent to the use of your likeness, booth, or presentation for festival documentation, publicity, and reporting. If you have specific privacy concerns, please contact us in advance.

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4. Data Retention

We retain application data only as long as necessary for festival administration, reporting, or legal compliance. You may request that your information be removed from our records after the event.

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5. Your Rights

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data at any time by contacting contact@torontocomics.com 

6. Digital Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your data through secure systems and limited access, but no online system is completely risk-free. By using our website, applying to our festival, and other digital engagement, you accept this inherent risk.

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7. Changes to this Policy

This policy is a living document and will updated from time to time. The most recent version will always be available on our website.

If you have any questions, or would like to provide feedback or input on this policy, please email us at contact@torontocomics.com 

The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our website or interact with us online.

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1. Information We Collect

We collect:

• Personal information that you voluntarily provide (e.g., when subscribing to our e-newsletter, submitting a contact form, or applying to participate in TCAF), such as your name, email address, and any other details you choose to share.

• Non-personal information such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited, which help us improve our website’s performance and user experience.

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2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Send you updates and news if you’ve subscribed to our e-newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).

• Respond to your inquiries or submissions.

• Improve our website, programming, and communication.

• Comply with legal or regulatory requirements.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share limited data with trusted service providers (e.g., email newsletter platforms or website analytics tools) who assist us in operating the festival, under strict privacy agreements.

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3. Event Photography and Video

TCAF events take place in public spaces. By attending, you acknowledge that photography and video recording may occur. Images may be used by TCAF for documentation, promotion, or reporting purposes, including on social media, print, and digital materials. If you wish not to be photographed, please speak to a staff member or volunteer at the event.

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4. Your Rights

You can request to:

• Access or correct your personal information.

• Withdraw your consent for future communications.

• Ask for your information to be deleted, where legally permissible.

To make a request, contact us at contact@torontocomics.com 

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5. Digital Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your data through secure systems and limited access, but no online system is completely risk-free. By using our website, applying to our festival, and other digital engagement, you accept this inherent risk.

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6. Changes to this Policy

This policy is a living document and will updated from time to time. TCAF reserves the right to update this policy to respond appropriately as new issues arise.

The most recent version will always be available on our website.

If you have any questions, or would like to provide feedback or input on this policy, please email us at contact@torontocomics.com