The 45th Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) officially revealed its 2026 juried competition winners on Wednesday night, spotlighting a diverse selection of independent filmmaking. Top honors were awarded across the festival's Summit, Horizon, Tides, Arbutus, Vanguard, and Short Forum programs, recognizing standout cinematic storytelling from Canadian and international directors alike.
Leading the awards presentation, Geneviève Dulude-De Celles took home the Summit Award for "Nina Roza." The film centers on a protagonist who returns to his hometown after an absence of 28 years, prompted by an enigma involving a talented young artist. In their evaluation, jurors praised the production's sensitive take on identity, the immigrant journey, and the yearning for home, highlighting its direction, cinematography, performances, and score. A special mention within the Summit category was awarded to Ian Bawa's "Strong Son."
Vancouver International Film Festival 2026 Juried Awards
| Award Category | Winning Film | Director | Special Mention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summit Award | Nina Roza | Geneviève Dulude-De Celles | Strong Son (dir. Ian Bawa) |
| Horizon Award | In the Heart of the South | Nyla Innuksuk | Clubfoot (dir. Nathan Donovan) |
| Tides Award | Ceremony | Banchi Hanuse | Still Night, Burning House (dir. Carol Nguyen) |
| Arbutus Award | How We Stand | Marie Clements | Send the Rain (dirs. Hayley Gray, Kaayla Whachell) |
| Vanguard Award | Hear the Yellow | Banu Sıvacı | That Shadow Fading (dir. Samuel Urbina) |
| Short Forum Award | Pre-Parenting | Yu Yu | Going Home (dir. Kamal Aljafari) |
Horizon and Tides Awards Honor Canadian Realities
The Horizon Award was presented to Nyla Innuksuk's "In the Heart of the South," celebrated by the jury as an exceptional representation of Canadian cinema. The selection panel specifically commended the film's polished style alongside performances from lead actors Anna Lambe and Zorga Qaunaq. Nathan Donovan's "Clubfoot" was also recognized with a special mention in the Horizon section.
In the Tides category, Banchi Hanuse secured the primary prize for "Ceremony." The feature chronicles the Nuxalk Nation's ongoing initiatives to protect local lands and waters following the disappearance of ooligan fish from Bella Coola. Jurors commended the documentary's imagery and narrative craft, noting how it illustrates community members confronting external systems through ancestral strength and generosity. Carol Nguyen's "Still Night, Burning House" picked up a special mention in the category.
Regional and International Standouts in Arbutus and Vanguard
The Arbutus Award, designated for British Columbia filmmaking, went to Marie Clements for "How We Stand." The project tracks two sisters separated by tragedy, combining surreal visual elements with historical exploration. The Arbutus jury remarked that the film brings traumatic history into vivid focus through compelling heroines that provoke societal reflection. The jury also bestowed a special mention upon "Send the Rain," co-directed by Hayley Gray and Kaayla Whachell.
On the international side, the Vanguard Award went to Turkish director Banu Sıvacı for "Hear the Yellow." The jury cited the production's emotional accuracy and cinematic inventiveness, noting its exploration of modern tensions between urban and rural environments as well as generational family separation. Samuel Urbina received a Vanguard special mention for "That Shadow Fading."
Short Forum Competition Honors and Festival Wrap-Up
Animation took the spotlight in the Short Forum category, where the top award was adjudicated to Taiwan-based animator Yu Yu for "Pre-Parenting." The jury additionally gave a special mention to "Going Home," helmed by director Kamal Aljafari.
The competitive selections were evaluated by dedicated panels of industry figures across each category, with jurors such as Michael Mann, Caroline Monnet, and Caitlyn Sponheimer participating across the different sections. With the juried prizes officially handed out, the 45th edition of the Vancouver International Film Festival continues its public screenings and industry programming ahead of its scheduled conclusion on October 11.
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Source: Variety
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