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SEARCHMatriarch of the Year Award 2026
2025 Winner
Sonya Ballantyne
HONOURING AN INDIGIQUEER OR TWO SPIRIT LEADER IN FILM/TV
The Vancouver Queer Film Festival is proud to open nominations for it’s second Matriarch of The Year (MOTY) Award!
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.
We are calling to our community to enter nominations for The MOTY Award – either someone you admire who fits the title, or yourself!
To submit a nomination, please fill out the Nomination form by September 3, 2026 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Winner will be announced at our Closing Presentation. Further guidelines on eligibility and procedures below.
ELIGIBILITY
- Must be Indigenous to Turtle Island
- Must be part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community;
- Has a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in lead positions on film and tv projects;
- Has been credited in leadership positions for at least 30 minutes of content which has been released through a recognizable network, broadcaster, streamer, or showcased at an Academy eligible film festival (Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television list of Eligible Festivals & Online Platforms);
- Leadership positions such as Director, Executive Producer, Producer, Writer, Showrunner, and/or Head of Department.
- Has demonstrated the ability to lead in a Matriarchal way.
- We acknowledge this can mean something different to everyone, and encourage folks to tell us more in the reference letters!
NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS
- A Statement of Indigenous Identity from the Nominee (max. 250 words);
- This statement is meant to be a space for the nominee to share about their relationship with their Indigenous nation(s), community and culture(s).
- List of Eligible Credits. A resume or a link to IMDB page is acceptable
- Two letters of reference from fellow film and TV colleagues that can attest to the Matriarchal leadership style of the nominee and the reasoning behind the nomination (up to one page each);
- If the nominator is a film/TV professional and not self-nominating, they may provide one of the reference letters
- This is your moment to brag about the nominee!
- The nominator must indicate that the nominee has been informed of the nomination and consents to the nomination;
- The nominee must be available to attend the Award reception or be able to provide a short video in acceptance.
JURY
- Mary Galloway
- Olivia Marie Golosky
- Tristin Greyeyes
