Now in its 18th year, the 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.
VIWFF is organized by Women in Film and Television Vancouver, 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, colonially known as Vancouver, BC.
VIWIFF 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 opens on March 8 (International Women’s Day) and will 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.
Films completed after March 2021 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
• Artist talks
• Networking events
• Workshops
• Pitch sessions
• An Awards Ceremony & Gala
• An international screenplay competition
We are excited to learn more about your films and would be honoured to consider them for our festival.
Submissions contact: submissions@womeninfilm.ca
Please note that due to restrictions caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, the festival may be held online as a virtual festival. This will necessarily change how the festival is delivered but we will remain committed to creating a platform for the voices of women and gender diverse people from around the world.
All official selection feature and short-length films with women and gender diverse filmmakers in key creative categories are eligible to compete for awards, with each awardee receiving a small cash award.
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://viwff.ca/awards/
The festival also hosts an annual screenplay competition.
To submit to the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival Screenplay Competition visit: https://filmfreeway.com/VIWFFScreenplayCompetition