Festival founder Dan Savage announced some sad news for all the HUMP! Film Festival fans in Victoria.
Described as ‘The World’s Best Amatuer Porn Film Festival,’ Savage’s HUMP! Film Festival is a lovingly curated festival of short erotic films made by real people for real people.
Set to come back for its 19th year on May 25th, the show’s fate took a turn this week when Consumer Protection BC suddenly required “Adult Licensing” for the upcoming HUMP! screenings in Victoria.
Because it was so soon before the showing, they had no choice but to cancel HUMP! and are unable to screen anywhere else in the region…for now.
This announcement came shortly after Consumer Protection BC ordered them to pull one of the films, The Reward, out of the Vancouver screening’s lineup just hours before the show.
According to a media release, the provincial regulatory agency overseeing ticket sales decided adults in their jurisdiction wouldn’t be able to handle the clip due to its subject matter, labeled ‘bondage in a sexual context.’
“Bondage? In a…sexual context? Excuse us while we grasp our pearls!” the release reads.
Luckily, the Vancouver showing was able to go forward without The Reward, but it was completely canceled in Victoria due to the new licensing requirements.
Savage did, however, leave fans on a positive note, saying that if BC residents aren’t able to catch HUMP! in theatres, they’ll be able to stream Part One online—which will include the pulled film, The Reward.
“We encourage everyone to contact Consumer Protection BC at classadmin@consumerprotectionbc.ca to respectfully voice your comments and concerns about censorship,” the release reads.
“It takes a village to create a public space for fun, all-inclusive, ‘by the people for the people’ adult entertainment, and we appreciate the support we receive from every single one of you.”
From the dawn of its creation by Savage in 2005, the festival has embraced and welcomed an open-minded approach—wanting to show as much diversity and break as many conventions as possible.
They offer a mix of themes, including hot and steamy vignettes to imaginative and kinky fantasies that are sure to capture your attention (and possibly tickle your intrigue)!
Whatever you desire, their films feature a cornucopia of body types, ages, colors, sexualities, genders, kinks, and fetishes—all said to be united by a shared spirit of sex-positivity.
Savage is also the creator of the Savage Love sex advice column, the popular Savage Lovecast podcast, and the It Gets Better Project.
If you want to submit your own film for the 2025 HUMP! Film Festival, you can do so here—be sure to check rules and requirements before submitting.
