Entering its 21st year, the Gender Equity in Media Festival (GEMFest), formerly Vancouver International Women in Film Festival (VIWFF), showcases an impressive line-up of short and feature-length films (narrative, documentary, experimental and animation) by established and emerging women and gender diverse filmmakers from around the world.

GEMFest is organized by Gender Equity in Media Society (GEMS), a member-driven not-for-profit society based on the unceded, traditional, and ancestral territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC.

GEMFest provides a platform for challenging gender inequity and the lack of diversity in the screen-based media industry through a combination of film screenings, discussions, and professional development and networking opportunities.

The festival will open in Spring 2026, and screen films with women and gender-diverse filmmakers in at least three of the following eight key creative roles: Writer, Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Composer, Lead Performer and Production Designer.

The 2026 festival will be a focused on in-person screenings and events.

Films completed after March 2024 are eligible.

In addition to showcasing films from around the world, the festival offers a dynamic range of ancillary programming, including:

• Moderated Q&A sessions
• Panel discussions
• Networking events
• Workshops
• Pitch sessions
• An Awards Ceremony & Gala
• An international screenplay competition

We look forward to reviewing your submission to our festival!

If you have questions that are not addressed here please contact us at: submissions@gemsvancouver.org.

All official selection feature and short-length films with women and gender-diverse filmmakers in key creative categories are eligible to compete for awards.

Award categories are as follows:

Feature Awards
• Best Feature
• Best Documentary
• Best Direction
• Best Performance
• Best Cinematography
• Best Screenplay
• Best Editing
• Best Musical Score
• Impact Award

Shorts Awards
• Best Short
• Best Direction
• Best Performance
• Best Cinematography
• Best Editing
• Impact Award

The awards are selected by an independent jury.

To see past winners and award categories visit: https://gemfest.org

The festival also hosts an annual screenplay competition.
To submit to the GEMFest Screenplay Competition visit: https://filmfreeway.com/GEMFestScreenplayCompetition

All films submitted must have a woman or gender-diverse Writer and/or Director, in addition to at least two women or gender-diverse creatives from the following six key creative roles: Producer, Cinematographer, Editor, Composer, Lead Performer and Production Designer.

• The same creative may fill more than one role.
• If any of the three eligible roles are shared (such as between two co-directors), they must be shared by women or gender-diverse creatives, except for the producer role, where 50% of the producers must be women or gender diverse.
• Films must reflect these credits in their submitted material, including in the credits of the film.

Gender-diverse is an umbrella term used to encompass transgender, non-binary, two-spirit, gender non-conforming individuals. If you are not sure whether your film is eligible based on your gender expression, please feel free to contact us for clarification.

Films completed after March 2024 are eligible.

Should the submitted film not adhere to this eligibility requirement or the following rules and terms, GEMS retains the right to disqualify said film and is not obligated to contact the submitting party or refund the submission fee.

GEMFest accepts documentary, narrative, animated and experimental films (including music and dance films) in any genre and any length.

Please inform us if your film has had a theatrical release in Vancouver prior to the festival as this may affect your eligibility for screening.

Films that have received other forms of distribution, such as subscriber television or online platforms, are eligible.

GEMFest and our producing organization, Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver, are committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programming. Demographic questions are asked to help us understand and serve you, our filmmaking community, better.

We do not share your information with third parties.

Selection and Notification:

1. Submissions will be reviewed by a selection of judges appointed by the staff and Board of Directors of Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver.

2. Filmmakers will be notified of the decision by the end of January 2026. Filmmakers will have to confirm or decline their participation in the festival after notification.

3. All communications will be sent electronically, including selection and notification letters. Please make sure the email address and phone number provided as the submission contact on the entry form are correct.

4. Promotional materials of films selected for GEMFest 2026 become the property of GEMFest 2026 and can be used to promote GEMFest 2026 in all media, including film, television, radio, print, and the Internet

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sepideh Yadegar

    GEM Festival is one of those rare spaces that makes you feel seen - not just as a filmmaker, but as a whole person. The opening night was thoughtfully created, beginning with a beautiful ceremony and followed by a warm, welcoming cocktail party that encouraged real connection. The festival felt personal, intentional, and deeply supportive from start to finish. I left with a reminder that storytelling is at its most powerful when it’s rooted in community.

    April 2025
  • Lori Watt

    Wonderful film festival for women and women identifying filmmakers. Rich programming, invaluable workshops and amazing networking opportunities. Well run, well attended. Love this festival.

    March 2025
  • Great programming and events. GEMfest great care in their work :)

    March 2025
  • Jaskaran Gill

    GEMFest is a truly special festival and unlike any I've been to. The films are carefully selected and you can tell the effort the programmers put into doing so. I was especially impressed with all the short films that played. Thank you GEMFest for including 'Mother's Tongue' in one of the blocks. It was a wonderful experience. Hope to be back in the future.

    March 2025
  • Leo Behrens

    GEMFest stands out as one of the best festivals we've had the pleasure of applying to. The standard of quality they uphold is exemplary, evident in their clear mission and intentions. Unlike some festivals driven solely by profit or industry acclaim, GEMFest is driven by a genuine desire to share meaningful stories, contribute to positive change, and make a tangible impact. Their communication is exceptional, and their team is not only friendly but also highly approachable. Without hesitation, I wholeheartedly recommend applying to GEMFest for a meaningful experience.

    March 2024