Festival
Awards

Narrative Change Award:

Rheanna Toy

A Place Where I Belong

Award Jurors: Lu Linares and Rain Dove

ABOUT THIS AWARD

This $5,000 cash prize will be determined by an international jury and honours a Canadian or International feature film that uses the power of cultural strategy to overturn outdated narratives, inspire change, and expand the audience’s perception of 2SLGBTQIA+ identities. The award winner will be announced at the Opening Presentation on September 11, 2025.

Matriarch of the Year Award (MOTY):

Sonya Ballantyne

Sponsored by Pender PR and Anna Steel.

ABOUT THIS AWARD

Out On Screen is proud to introduce the inaugural Matriarch of the Year Award (MOTY)! The MOTY Award honors an Indigiqueer or Two Spirit (2S) Matriarchal leader in film and television across Turtle Island who has made a significant impact on Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ storytelling. Nominated by community members, the winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and publicity package from Pender PR to amplify their positive impact and support their work. The award winner will be announced at the Opening Presentation on September 11, 2025.

Gerry Brunet Memorial Award:

Best British Columbia Short

Jess McLeod

DTF?

Award Jurors: Kent Donguines, Jason Karman, and Brianne Nord-Stewart.

ABOUT THIS AWARD

Our annual prize for the Festival’s best BC short film was established in 1997 in recognition of Gerry Brunet, a lifelong contributor to the arts and an early board member of Out On Screen. The winner will receive a $2,850 cash prize and mentorship opportunities from the Directors Guild of Canada BC, a $20,000 camera package prize from Keslow Camera, and a $5,000 gear package prize from Cinelease. This award will be determined by an expert jury and announced at the Opening Presentation on September 11, 2025.

People's Choice Award:

Canadian Feature

J Stevens and Breton Lalama

Really Happy Someday

ABOUT THIS AWARD

Sponsored by the Canada Media Fund this $2,500 cash prize will be presented to the audience’s favourite Canadian Feature. Winners are determined by the highest proportion of votes to ensure all films have the opportunity to be recognized regardless of the size of the theatre they are screened in. In-person audiences may vote by visiting link.outonscreen.com/vote or using the tablets outside the theatre. Online audiences may vote on our digital watch platform. The award winners will be announced after the Festival.

People's Choice Award:

Canadian Short

Walter Scott and Lindsay Allikas

Organza's Revenge

ABOUT THIS AWARD

This prize will be presented to the audience’s favourite Canadian Short. The winner will receive $2,500 in-kind post-production services from Elemental. Winners are determined by the highest proportion of votes to ensure all films have the opportunity to be recognized regardless of the size of the theatre they are screened in. In-person audiences may vote by visiting link.outonscreen.com/vote or using the tablets outside the theatre. Online audiences may vote on our digital watch platform. The award winners will be announced after the Festival.

People's Choice Award:

International Feature

Jota Mun, Zoe Sua Cho, and Barb Lee

Between Goodbyes

ABOUT THIS AWARD

This prize will be presented to the audience’s favourite International Feature. Winners are determined by the highest proportion of votes to ensure all films have the opportunity to be recognized regardless of the size of the theatre they are screened in. In-person audiences may vote by visiting link.outonscreen.com/vote or using the tablets outside the theatre. Online audiences may vote on our digital watch platform. The award winners will be announced after the Festival.

People's Choice Award:

International Short

Nathan Lacey and Nick Lacey

DIE BULLY DIE

ABOUT THIS AWARD

This prize will be presented to the audience’s favourite International Short. Winners are determined by the highest proportion of votes to ensure all films have the opportunity to be recognized regardless of the size of the theatre they are screened in. In-person audiences may vote by visiting link.outonscreen.com/vote or using the tablets outside the theatre. Online audiences may vote on our digital watch platform. The award winners will be announced after the Festival.

Pitch Competition:

Peihwen J. Tai, Hannah Yang, and Ronald Lee

PRETTY BOY$

Jurors: Vico Ortiz, Damian Pelliccione, Christopher J. Rodriquez, and Cole Vandale

ABOUT THIS AWARD

Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ filmmakers across Canada, the inaugural Pitch Competition supports the development of an original, bold, and compelling story with a production package. Up to 5 projects will be selected to participate in a live pitch competition, juried by film and TV professionals and presented to an audience at VQFF. The winning project will receive: - Story editing mentorship (spon. Lark Productions) - Director mentorship - 3 days of studio space (spon. Cracked Compass Media) - Test screening with VQFF's Programming team - Guaranteed public screening at a future VQFF