The 21st annual Gender Equity in Media Festival (GEMFest) returns to Vancouver at the VIFF Centre from March 5–8, 2026, with a lineup of 5 films from 13 countries.
Presented by Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver (GEMS), GEMFest 2026 spotlights bold, urgent storytelling by women and gender-diverse filmmakers working across form, genre, and geography.
“Subverting and disrupting mainstream media messaging, which is increasingly pushing a patriarchal agenda, is incredibly important now—perhaps more than ever,” says Anaïsa Visser, Executive Director of GEMS. “We must bring forward the voices of those who challenge hegemony and misogyny, and those who value collective action over individual gains.”
GEMFest kicks off on Thursday, March 5, with the film Hearse Chasing, preceded by the TELUS STORYHIVE short Burcu’s Angels, at the VIFF Cinema. Directed by award-winning writer/director Teresa Alfeld, Hearse Chasing follows Vancouver-based musician Cassidy Waring as she returns to her hometown in search of answers about her family’s tragic breakdown. Burcu’s Angels explores three decades of chosen family and care through the story of Turkish queer elder Burcu Özdemir, whose Vancouver home became a sanctuary for community in a rapidly changing city. The evening will conclude with a live performance by singer-songwriter Cassidy Waring.
“I am deeply moved by our opening feature, Hearse Chasing, and eagerly anticipate our audience’s response,” says Festival Director Della Haddock. “This year’s program reflects the exceptional care and intention of our programmers, and the entire GEMFest team has done outstanding work.”
Also at the festival, Tristin Greyeyes’ A Cree Approach, a film that documents the life of Freda Ahenakew, a Nehiyaw (Cree) woman who dedicated her life to saving the once-dying Nehiyawewin language, will have its world premiere.
Other film highlights include the Canadian and hometown debuts of BC filmmakers Ariel Bond with Rupture, Omorose Osagie with Lost Wax, and Amanda Wandler with W7éyle (Moon’s Wife). Canadian premieres from international filmmakers, including: Fire Within, Your Email Has Not Found Me Well, Naaz, Don’t be late, Myra, Yáamay: An Ode to Blooming, and many more.
Alongside its film programming, GEMFest will host a focused industry program featuring panels, conversations, and networking events that address community storytelling, discovery and promotion, funding realities, and navigating the Canadian feature film landscape.
Highlights include Who Holds the Story?, a conversation with community elders, knowledge holders, and producers on consent and cultural stewardship; Getting Seen, a discussion with local programmers and publicists on discovery in advance, during, 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.
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