The Genre Film Lab
The Genre Film Lab is an accelerator program designed to support the development of effective finance, packaging and pitching strategies for Canadian genre film creators whose projects are at an advanced stage of development.
The Genre Film Lab program will begin in April 2026 with a masterclass on pitching and will culminate with a dedicated pitch session at the Frontières International Co-Production Market in July 2026. The sessions will include an introductory group pitch masterclass, three strategy sessions with genre industry experts focusing on financing and packaging, one-on-one pitch development sessions, and more.
What is Genre Film?
Genre projects include, but are not limited to thrillers, western, science fiction, fantasy and horror – or any imaginative combination of these.
SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED
Key Dates
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Late Submissions Deadline (Late fee – 55$)
PHASE 1 Begins
PHASE 2 Begins
PHASE 3 (Frontieres International Co-Pro Market)
Applicant Eligibility
GEMS welcomes applications from all creators who are equity-deserving on the basis of gender. We believe in fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible environment, where all participants and staff feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to building a program that reflects Canada’s diversity and elevates equity-deserving voices. Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.
We recognize that not all gender diverse people will feel comfortable accessing a program facilitated by an organization named Women in Film and Television Vancouver. We are in the process of a name change to address this.
- Projects must be for a feature-length film
- Projects should have a director and lead producer attached (preference is given to projects with director & producer attached; projects without will still be considered)
- Writers & directors must be women or gender diverse, with preference given to teams who are all women or gender diverse.
- First draft scripts are eligible, so long as they are complete.
- Genre Film Lab (and From Our Dark Side) alumni and those who have submitted in the past are welcome to submit with full length scripts.
- The program is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents only and productions must qualify as Canadian
- At least 1 member of the filmmaking team MUST have an active GEMS membership. If selected, this person must be a participant in the program
Project Eligibility
- Project must be an ORIGINAL concept for a narrative feature film (*if the project is an adaptation, you must provide documented proof that you hold the rights to this adaptation).
- Projects must not have entered production.
- If your project has already secured any financing, you must submit proof of this financing and indicate the percentage you have not yet secured.
- Project must qualify as GENRE in nature (see description above “What is Genre Film?”)
- Project must be written & directed by women and gender diverse people and contain a strong representation of roles for women and gender diverse people.
- Project materials must be submitted in English but the project itself may be in any language (please indicate your project’s original language if it is non-English). Please note all related activities for winners will be conducted in English (efforts will be made to accommodate other languages when possible).
- Applicants may apply with a maximum of two projects.
- Co-writers and co-directors may apply, but all writers & directors must be women or gender diverse people.
- In the case of co-writers & co-directors, each applicant may submit a maximum of two entries. For example, a writing team of two people may submit four projects total. Each entry requires its own registration and payment.
- Applicants may submit a project that has been previously submitted to the program but they must indicate in what significant ways the project has been altered since its previous submission. Projects submitted without this additional documentation will not be considered.
- Contestants retain all rights to their projects.
- Feedback cannot be provided on any submissions.
- Once an application is submitted, new or updated versions may not be submitted.
- Entrants agree to indemnify and hold The Genre Film Lab, GEMS, including our employees, our officers, and our partners and affiliates harmless against all claims arising out of entry or participation in the contest.
- By submitting your contest application, you agree that you have read, understood, and agree to all the aforementioned contest rules and regulations. You also assert that you are the author and owner of the original work.
Resources
Fantasia International Film Festival, Montréal
2026 Participants
PROJECT TITLE (Original & English language): WIFEYDIRECTOR: Cassidy CivieroWRITER: Cassidy CivieroPRODUCER, with associated PRODUCTION COMPANY: Mariel Sharp of True Sweetheart FilmsPRODUCTION PROVINCE(S) or TERRITORIES: Ontario
PROJECT TITLE (Original & English language): SEVEREDDIRECTOR(S): Lauren MarsdenWRITER(S): Lauren MarsdenPRODUCER(S), with associated PRODUCTION COMPANY(IES): TBDPRODUCTION PROVINCE(S) or TERRITORIES: British Columbia
PROJECT TITLE (Original & English language): LOUP-GAROUDIRECTOR(S): Nathalie TherriaultWRITER(S): Nathalie TherriaultPRODUCER(S), with associated PRODUCTION COMPANY(IES): Nneka Croal of Latchkey Pictures Inc.PRODUCTION PROVINCE(S) or TERRITORIES: British Columbia, Quebec
PROJECT TITLE (Original & English language): TO THE NORTHDIRECTOR(S): Jean ParsonsWRITER(S): Jean ParsonsPRODUCER(S), with associated PRODUCTION COMPANY(IES): TBCPRODUCTION PROVINCE(S) or TERRITORIES: British Columbia
PROJECT TITLE (Original & English language): STACY’S MOMDIRECTOR(S): Marushka Jessica AlmeidaWRITER(S): Marushka Jessica AlmeidaPRODUCER(S), with associated PRODUCTION COMPANY(IES): Rabiya Mansoor, Nisha Khan, Marushka Jessica Almeida (Cult Following Pictures)PRODUCTION PROVINCE(S) or TERRITORIES: Ontario
2025 Participants
PROJECT TITLE: THEY ECHO
DIRECTOR(S): Lu Asfaha
WRITER(S): Lu Asfaha
PRODUCER(S), with associated PRODUCTION COMPANY(IES): Fonna Seidu (Snail Mail Media) Jay Wu, Andrew Ferguson and Matt King (LaRue Entertainment)
PRODUCTION PROVINCE/TERRITORY: Ontario
PROJECT TITLE: PEACHY
DIRECTOR(S): Sasha Duncan
WRITER(S): Sasha Duncan
PRODUCER(S), with associated PRODUCTION COMPANY(IES): Eloise Cameron-Smith; Dalila Jovanovic
PRODUCTION PROVINCE/TERRITORY: BC
PROJECT TITLE: DEEPFAKE
DIRECTOR(S): Miranda MacDougall
WRITER(S): Ariel Bond
PRODUCER(S), with associated PRODUCTION COMPANY(IES):
Lucy McNulty (Strange Company Productions)
Ariel Bond (Storiel Entertainment)
Magdalena Shenher (consulting)
PRODUCTION PROVINCE/TERRITORY: BC
PROJECT TITLE: THE EVERMORE
DIRECTOR(S): Mia Martinez
WRITER(S): Mia Martinez
PRODUCER(S), with associated PRODUCTION COMPANY(IES): Mia Martinez & Jonnathan George (Familiar Blue Films), Nic Altobelli (Naltobel Productions)
PRODUCTION PROVINCE/TERRITORY: BC
PROJECT TITLE: AFTER THE END
DIRECTOR(S): Elena Sturk Lussier
WRITER(S): Elena Sturk Lussier
PRODUCER(S), with associated PRODUCTION COMPANY(IES): Jessica Landry, Familiar Films
PRODUCTION PROVINCE/TERRITORY: Manitoba
Funded & Presented by
The Genre Film Lab 2025, in partnership with Frontières, is proudly supported by:
