About GEMS
Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver (GEMS) is a member-based organization committed to advancing gender equity in film and television. Previously named Women in Film and Television Vancouver (WIFTV), GEMS incorporated in 1989 as a not-for-profit society registered in British Columbia. By addressing systemic barriers, GEMS works towards supporting more inclusive, representative media.
We approach our mission by:
- Advocating and organizing for equity in funding, employment, and promotional opportunities for all women and gender diverse people in the film and TV industry.
- Providing low-barrier, accessible programming, including mentorship and educational events to increase women and gender diverse participation in screen-based media.
- Producing the annual Gender Equity in Media Festival (GEMFest), which champions women and gender diverse creators.
GEMFest 2026
A multi-day celebration featuring in-person screenings, receptions, filmmaker panels, and more at VIFF Centre.
Membership Benefits
Join our community! Everybody is welcome to become a member of GEMS, regardless of gender. We look forward to meeting you!
Community
Give back to your community, share your knowledge and skills and help uplift the next generation of filmmakers
Education
Take your career to the next level with our low-barrier accessible programming
Networking
Meet industry pros, emerging filmmakers and your dream collaborators through our events and member directory
Perks
Gain exclusive access to discounts and freebies from our community and industry partners