* The page is updated with photos from the May’s event.

* This is a review report about our May’s event:
https://phoenixreview.org/vancouver-women-film-festival-2026-report/

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The Vancouver Women Film Festival (VWFF), formerly Phoenix Shorts, is an event dedicated to celebrating women’s voices, visions, and creativity in cinema.Set in one of North America’s most diverse and culturally vibrant cities, the festival celebrates bold, innovative, and inspiring works — showcasing films directed by women, as well as films by men that explore women’s stories from around the world. VWFF is committed to championing diverse visions and supporting the most promising emerging filmmakers. Each season, our jury conducts private screenings to select winners across all categories. Every submitted film has the chance to win in the seasonal competition. Seasonal winners are announced on our website and social media platforms. Among them, top-scoring projects are selected by our programming team to be featured in our live event—a curated celebration showcasing the best women-centered films of the year. This live screening provides a valuable platform to present your work to audiences and industry professionals in Vancouver, offering excellent opportunities to gain visibility and build momentum in your filmmaking career.

Awards & Prizes

Film Categories
Narrative Short Films
Short-form storytelling across all genres, highlighting women’s voices and perspectives.

Narrative Feature Films
Longer-format fiction films showcasing innovative storytelling, strong characters, and compelling themes.

Documentary Short Films
Non-fiction short works that capture real stories, issues, and experiences from a women-centered lens.

Documentary Feature Films
Feature-length documentaries exploring social, cultural, or personal themes with authenticity and depth.

Experimental Films
Works that push the boundaries of cinematic form and narrative, offering bold and unconventional visions.

Student Film
Outstanding projects created by women filmmakers currently enrolled in film schools or academic programs.

Animated Films
Short or feature-length animations, from traditional hand-drawn techniques to cutting-edge digital artistry.

Best Student Films
A dedicated award recognizing the most promising student project across all genres.

Local Spotlights
Celebrating the talent of women filmmakers based in Vancouver and British Columbia, shining a light on regional creativity.

Rules & Terms

A. Eligibility Requirements
-We accept films of all genres.
-Films completed on or after January 1, 2022 are eligible for consideration.
-Short and feature films that are available for public online viewing are eligible.
-Multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted. Each entry requires a separate submission and separate entry fee.
-All entries must be either in English or subtitled in English. Dialogue lists are not accepted.
-By submitting, the entrant confirms and warrants legal authority to submit the entry and to use all music, images, and content included in the film.

B. Submission Guidelines
-Films must be submitted via online screener (Vimeo link preferred), or on DVD/Blu-ray disc.
-Only complete entries (including fee payment and screener) will be considered.
-Entrants may submit works-in-progress (e.g., without final color correction or sound mix). However, the programming committee will only consider the version submitted. Subsequent cuts or replacement copies will be accepted only at the committee’s request.

C. Judging & Selection
-Films are selected for Festival presentation by the programming committee.
-If a film is selected, the Festival office will notify the entrant by phone or email.
-The Festival does not provide feedback or screening notes for films not selected.
-All competitive film categories are judged during the Festival.

D. Entry Fees
-Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee.
-Entry fees are non-refundable.
-Fees cover: registration, notification, programming department review, and results notification.
-Fees may be paid by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express).