PREVIEW: 2026 GENDER EQUITY IN MEDIA FESTIVAL

Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver (GEMS) has unveiled the full lineup for the 21st annual Gender Equity in Media Festival (GEMFest), returning to Vancouver's VIFF Centre from March 5–8, 2026. Featuring 35 films from 13 countries, including 18 Canadian films and 11 British Columbia-based creators, GEMFest 2026 spotlights bold, urgent storytelling by women and gender-diverse filmmakers working across form, genre, and geography.

At a moment when film industries worldwide are reckoning with who gets to control the camera—and whose stories continue to be marginalized—this year’s program platforms films that subvert dominant narratives, disrupt power structures, and interrogate the systems shaping what we see on screen.

“Subverting and disrupting mainstream media messaging, which is increasingly pushing a patriarchal agenda, is incredibly important now, perhaps more than ever,” says Anaïsa Visser (pictured, right), 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 with a screening of Teresa Alfeld's feature Hearse Chasing, a chronicle of Vancouver-based musician Cassidy Waring as she returns to her hometown in search of answers about her family’s tragic breakdown. Topping the session will Burcu’s Angels, an exploration across three decades of chosen family and care through the story of Turkish queer elder Burcu Özdemir, whose Vancouver home became a sanctuary for community. The evening will conclude with a live performance by singer-songwriter Cassidy Waring. 

“I [was] deeply moved by our opening feature 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.”

Additional festival highlights include Indigenous feature films from Canada, the United States, and New Zealand; five curated short film programs; and, Acts of Vision, a dedicated series spotlighting Black-led films from Canada and abroad. 

Tristin Greyeyes' A Cree Approach (pictured, top), an examination of the once-dying Nehiyawewin language, will have its world premiere at the festival. Baljit Gangra will be screeniung her feature Have You Heard Judi Singh?, her rousing story of the trailblazing Black-Punjabi jazz singer (pictured, right). Other film highlights are the Canadian and hometown debuts from 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.

Full details including session times and ticketing can be found at the GEMfest website.