Firecracker Film Fest
In partnership with GEMFest
In March 2025, the Firecracker Vancouver Chapter launched our very first Firecracker Film Fest in partnership with Gender Equity in Media Society (GEMS) — and it was everything we hoped for and more.
Curated by West Coast Firecracker Liesl Lafferty, the inaugural event lit up the room with talent, connection, and major creative energy. With generous support from UBCP/ACTRA, we celebrated the incredible creative work made by our community members — and we’re doing it again!
Submissions are now open for our second annual Firecracker Film Fest, coming to Vancouver in 2026. We can’t wait to see what you’ve been creating.
Missed the fun last time? Now’s your chance!
FIRECRACKER FILM FEST
FIRECRACKER FILM FEST
Thinking about applying to Firecracker Film Fest 2026?
Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or creating your very first short, Firecracker Film Fest is your chance to share your comedic voice with a community that gets it. We’re celebrating female and gender-diverse filmmakers who bring humour, heart, and hope to the screen, because that’s what Firecracker Department is all about.
This is our second year at GEMFest, and we’re keeping it local, spotlighting the incredible creative talent right here on the West Coast.
Important Dates
Sat, Nov 8 – Submissions Open
Sat, Jan 17 – Submissions Close
Sat, Feb 7 – Notifications Sent to Filmmakers
Sat, Mar 7 – Firecracker Film Fest at GEMFest (Program begins 11:00am)
Submission Info
Submission fee: $12.50
We’re looking for COMEDIC short films (under 10 minutes preferred)
Films must feature women or gender-diverse creatives in at least two of the following three key roles: Writer, Producer, Director (the same person can fill more than one)
Key creatives should be part of the Firecracker Department Community Facebook page and/or our newsletter
If your film is already accepted into GEMFest 2026, it will not be included in FFF. If it isn’t, you still have a chance with us!
Still not sure if Firecracker Film Fest is for you?
If your work celebrates resilience, connection, and creativity through a comedic lens, this is your place. We’re here to lift up stories that shine with humour, heart, and originality.
Submissions are open now, and we can’t wait to see what you’ve been creating.
Got questions? Email us anytime at firecrackerwritingdepartment@gmail.com.
Meet the Team
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Liesl Lafferty
FIRECRACKER FILM FEST CURATOR
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Jody Quine
FIRECRACKER FILM FEST COORDINATOR
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Ellie Harvie
FIRECRACKER FILM FEST COORDINATOR
Firecracker Film Fest is made possible by
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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.
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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.
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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.
2025 Screening Selections
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THE BIG DAY
Stacee Copeland Kerr and Lindsay Hitchcock
VancouverAn overworked mom arrives home in the middle of the night after a double shift, then realizes she's forgotten to prepare for Jimmy's 10th birthday tomorrow! She's never let her family down before. In a race against time and fatigue, Beth scrambles to put up the decorations, can she make it in time before everyone wakes up? (7 min)
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BLOODY RHONDA
Alyssa Kostello
VancouverRhonda must navigate how to handle her out of control period while on a date. (5min)
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BOIFRIEND
Rebecca Marquardt and Lane Michael Stanley
Los AngelesA gay cis woman's father is surprisingly happy when she brings her transmasc boyfriend home, but she soon realizes he's only happy because she's in a straight-passing relationship. (10min)
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CHICKEN
Lucy McNulty and Emma Pollard Vancouver
When a breakup sends Sam back to her childhood home, her well-meaning neurodivergent brother's attempts to lift her spirits backfire - until a moment at a baseball game reminds them both what family really means. (14min)
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A DAY IN THE [AFTER] LIFE OF DIANE STAPLES
Katrina Reynolds
VancouverWhen a ghost who's been haunting her office since she died there in 1984 is found by a documentary crew she learns of a decision she'll have to make that will change the course of her (After) Life forever. (6min)
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INVISIBLE
Dale Willman
HalifaxFeeling invisible to society, a recently retired, soft-spoken woman is surprised to learn others consider this an asset, when new opportunities are offered. (8min)
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LOVE STUCK
Susan Serrao
CalgaryWhen Kayley finds out her celebrity obsession, Josh Maple, has tickets to the show playing at her theatre that night, she follows the sacred skin care regime that he endorses as part of her "pulling out all the..." stops to ready herself for their first encounter. When Kayley finds out the truth about Josh Maple her world is rocked and she's left with an embarrassing reality. (6min)
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SLAM DUNK, SEHAJ!
Asis Seth
TorontoWhen former basketball star Sehaj gets a shot at returning to the game, her dream clashes with her traditional husband’s opposition, forcing her to choose between reclaiming her passion or sacrificing her dreams to preserve her marriage and family life. (9min)
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SQUEEZE LEFT
Darlene Spencer and Producer Anita McFarlane
KelownaA triptych road trip which explores the twists, turns and hilarity of the mother/daughter relationship. We get an intimate rear view glimpse of several stages of this complex relationship as both women grow up, apart, and together again. (6min)