Firecracker Film Fest

In partnership with GEMFest

Submissions opening soon!

FIRECRACKER FILM FEST

FIRECRACKER FILM FEST

About Firecracker Film Fest

In March 2025, the Firecracker Department Vancouver Chapter launched our first Firecracker Film Fest in partnership with GEMS. Curated by West Coast Firecracker Liesl Lafferty, the event brought our community together to celebrate comedic storytelling, creative risk-taking and the work of female and non-binary filmmakers.

Now we’re back for year three!

Approximately 6–10 films will be selected for the 2027 showcase, with priority given to BC filmmakers, films under 10 minutes, and stories featuring female or non-binary protagonists.

And yes: make us laugh.

Three prizes will also be awarded to three films selected for the showcase.

Submissions opening soon - Stay Tuned!

Firecracker Film Fest 2027

In Partnership with GEMFest Vancouver

Calling all funny, bold and original short filmmakers.

Firecracker Department is thrilled to present the third annual Firecracker Film Fest, celebrating comedic short films created by female and non-binary filmmakers.

Presented in partnership with Gender Equity in Media Society (GEMS), Firecracker Film Fest returns to Vancouver in March 2027 as part of GEMFest at the VIFF Centre – Lochmaddy Studio.

Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or creating your very first short, this is your chance to share your comedic voice with a community that gets it. We’re looking for films with humour, heart, originality and a point of view — stories that make us laugh while celebrating resilience, connection and creativity.

This is our third year at GEMFest, and we’re especially excited to spotlight the incredible creative talent here on the West Coast.

We can’t wait to see what you’ve been making!

Meet the Team

  • Liesl Lafferty

    FIRECRACKER FILM FEST CURATOR

  • Jody Quine

    FIRECRACKER FILM FEST COORDINATOR

  • Ellie Harvie

    FIRECRACKER FILM FEST COORDINATOR

Firecracker Film Fest is made possible by

  • Firecracker Department is a hit podcast and a vibrant international community of women and nonbinary artists empowering each other to take creative action by building platforms for our voices and stories. Working together to go further and change the world.

    About us

  • Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver (GEMS) is a member-based organization committed to furthering gender equity in film and television. By addressing systemic barriers, GEMS works towards supporting more inclusive, representative media.

    Visit their site

  • UBCP/ACTRA’s more than 8,500 members are an integral part of the approximately 28,000  performers who have come together to build ACTRA, the strongest Union of cultural workers in Canada. UBCP/ACTRA has some of the most robust collective agreements for performers globally, ensuring performers are paid a fair wage and are protected on set.  

    Visit their site

Follow us on socials for the latest on the Firecracker Film Fest!

  • What's Killing Lilith?

  • Skely Finds a Brain

  • Room for the Rest

  • Sweet Tooth

  • Jeez, Louise

  • Asphodel Fields Forever

  • Kate and Jack are Just Friends

  • Wait…WHAT?

  • bff has cancer :(

  • Bumbershoot

  • The Office Party

  • Love Train

  • Signs

  • The Magnificent Gyno