The Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver has officially unveiled the full lineup for the 21st annual Gender Equity in Media Festival, taking place March 5 to 8, 2026 at the VIFF Centre. Featuring 35 films from 13 countries, including 18 Canadian selections and 11 films by BC-based creators, GEMFest 2026 continues its long-standing mission to champion women and gender-diverse filmmakers while challenging dominant narratives within the global media landscape.
A Festival Responding to the Cultural Moment
As film industries worldwide continue to grapple with questions of representation, authorship, and power, GEMFest 2026 arrives at a critical moment. This year’s program emphasizes films that actively subvert patriarchal frameworks, interrogate systems of control, and elevate collective voices that have long been marginalized on screen. According to Executive Director Anaïsa Visser, the festival is intentionally responding to an era where mainstream media messaging increasingly reinforces exclusionary agendas, making the amplification of feminist, queer, Indigenous, and community-centered storytelling more urgent than ever.
Opening Night Sets the Tone
The festival opens on Thursday, March 5 with an Opening Night Reception followed by a screening of the TELUS original documentary Hearse Chasing, directed by Teresa Alfeld. The film traces Vancouver-based musician Cassidy Waring’s return to her hometown as she seeks answers about her family’s painful unraveling, blending personal investigation with emotional vulnerability. Preceding the feature is the TELUS STORYHIVE short Burcu’s Angels, which tenderly explores three decades of chosen family through the life of Turkish queer elder Burcu Özdemir, whose home became a refuge amid Vancouver’s shifting urban landscape. The evening concludes with a live musical performance by Cassidy Waring, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to cross-disciplinary expression.
Indigenous Storytelling at the Forefront
A major highlight of GEMFest 2026 is its strong Indigenous programming, with feature films from Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. At the center is the world premiere of A Cree Approach by Tristin Greyeyes. The film documents the life and legacy of Freda Ahenakew, a Nehiyaw Cree woman whose lifelong dedication helped save the Nehiyawewin language from extinction. Through intimate portraiture and cultural insight, the film underscores the power of language preservation as an act of resistance, care, and continuity.
Canadian and International Highlights
Beyond its opening selections, GEMFest 2026 showcases a wide range of Canadian programming, including hometown and national debuts by BC filmmakers Ariel Bond with Rupture, Omorose Osagie with Lost Wax, and Amanda Wandler with W7éyle (Moon’s Wife). The festival also features Canadian premieres from international filmmakers, presenting works such as Fire Within, Your Email Has Not Found Me Well, Naaz, Don’t Be Late, Myra, and Yáamay: An Ode to Blooming. Together, these films reflect GEMFest’s commitment to global perspectives rooted in local specificity.
Acts of Vision and Short Film Programs
The 2026 lineup includes five curated short film programs, offering audiences a concentrated look at emerging voices and experimental forms. Among these is Acts of Vision, a dedicated series spotlighting Black-led films from Canada and abroad. This program foregrounds narratives shaped by lived experience, resistance, and joy, reinforcing GEMFest’s focus on equity not only in who tells stories, but in whose visions are prioritized.
Industry Programming That Builds Community
In addition to its screenings, GEMFest 2026 offers a robust industry program designed to support filmmakers beyond the screen. Panels and conversations address issues such as consent, cultural stewardship, funding realities, and visibility within the Canadian film ecosystem. Sessions include Who Holds the Story?, a dialogue with community elders and producers on ethical storytelling, Getting Seen, which explores discovery and promotion before and after production, and Funding Realities, a candid town hall with funders and producers. The industry program culminates in the Pitch Forum on March 8, providing creators with opportunities to advance their projects and networks.
A Festival Rooted in Advocacy and Place
Founded in 1989, Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver remains a vital force in advancing gender equity in British Columbia’s screen industries through mentorship, programming, and community-building. GEMFest is presented on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, grounding the festival’s mission in respect, accountability, and place-based awareness.
Looking Ahead to GEMFest 2026
With its expansive lineup, community-centered programming, and unwavering commitment to equity, GEMFest 2026 stands as both a celebration and a challenge to the film industry. By centering women and gender-diverse creators, uplifting Indigenous and Black-led storytelling, and fostering meaningful dialogue around power and representation, the festival continues to redefine what inclusive media can and should look like.
Full program details and tickets here.
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