Entering its 22nd year in 2027, the Gender Equity in Media Festival (GEMFest), formerly Vancouver International Women in Film Festival (VIWFF), showcases an impressive line-up of short and feature-length films (narrative, documentary, experimental and animation) by established and emerging women and gender diverse filmmakers from around the world.
GEMFest provides a platform for challenging gender inequity and the lack of diversity in the screen-based media industry through a combination of film screenings, discussions, and professional development and networking opportunities.
Running March 4-7, 2027, GEMFest’s 22nd edition will showcase approximately 6 features and 20 short films by Indigenous, Canadian, and International filmmakers.
GEMS is seeking to recruit the following positions:
- Lead Programmer
- Feature Film Programmer
- Industry Programmer
We especially encourage applications as diverse as the membership we serve. We invite applicants to self-identify with equity-deserving communities they are part of in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable doing so. The ideal candidate shares our values of gender equity and is dedicated to championing the voices of women and gender-diverse filmmakers.
Term Duration: August 21, 2026 to March 15, 2027
Job Location: Remote work. Hybrid work. Mix of online and in-person meetings, and in-person attendance at GEMFest in March 2027.
Shared Responsibilities:
- Represent the mission and values of GEMFest to the broader arts and film community;
- Support the GEMS team in attracting audiences to attend our authentic, diverse, engaging and original industry programming.
Shared Qualities of Ideal Candidates:
- Experience with film curation, programming, and presentation for film festivals or arts organizations; and the ability to critically assess a large quantity of films;
- Commitment to the principles of decolonization, justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in screen-based industries;
- Experience working with or a strong understanding of marginalized communities or communities that face structural discrimination, including those identifying as Indigenous, Black, people of colour, members of non-dominant ethnic, religious, linguistic and/or cultural groups, women, (im)migrants/newcomers, people with (dis)abilities, and LGBTQ2S+ people;
- Exceptional knowledge of contemporary Indigenous and Canadian cinema;
- Outstanding writing, communication, and interpersonal skills;
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion;
- Strong decision-making and facilitation skills;
- Organizational skills and the ability to work within deadlines.
Lead Programmer
The Lead Programmer is responsible for leading the curation of the 2027 Program at GEMFest. The Lead Programmer will oversee the curatorial intention and values alignment of the shorts, features, and industry programming, and support with on-site moderation during the festival.
Salary/Wage: CAD $2,500 honorarium
Key Responsibilities:
- Researching and developing curatorial/ programming ideas, selecting films and film programs to be presented, including topical/thematic series, and guest artists or lecturers;
- Watch films selected by Features and Shorts Programmers;
- Assess ideas proposed by Industry Programmer;
- Ensure values alignment between GEMS and the programming;
- Ensure diversity of programming across our film selection;
- Run and document bi-weekly Programming Meetings, attend any additional festival meetings as-needed;
- Writing and assembling of curatorial support materials, including program guide notes and film descriptions as-needed;
- Support the Festival Director in scheduling the films;
- Introduce certain films and filmmakers during the festival and facilitate post-screening Q&As;
Feature Film Programmer
The Feature Film Programmer is responsible for leading the curation of the 2027 Features Program at GEMFest. The Feature Film Programmer will watch and assess a large volume of feature films ranked by our Selection Committee, and select 6 feature films for presentation at GEMFest 2027.
Salary/Wage: CAD $2,000 honorarium
Key Responsibilities:
- Watch feature films of all genres as proposed by Selection Committee;
- Select final feature films that best represent the mission of the festival, and which are most likely to attract audiences and generate discussion;
- Work closely with the Lead Programmer to determine alignment of selection with the curatorial intent of the festival;
- Ensure values alignment between GEMS and the programming;
- Ensure diversity of programming across our film selection;
- Attend bi-weekly Programming Meetings;
- Write and assemble curatorial support materials, including program guide notes and film descriptions as-needed;
- Support the Festival Director and Lead Programmer in scheduling the films;
- Introduce certain films and filmmakers during the festival and facilitate post-screening Q&As;
- Represent the mission and values of GEMFest to the broader arts and film community;
- Support the GEMS team in attracting audiences to attend our authentic, diverse, engaging and original industry programming.
Industry Programmer
The Industry Programmer is responsible for leading the curation of the 2027 Industry Program at GEMFest. The Industry Programmer will assess the final selection of films from various genres, work with the Programming team, Executive Director and Festival Director to design and implement the industry programs (panels, workshops, artist talks, Q&As, etc). The Industry Programmer may also be asked to facilitate Q&As with the attending filmmakers during the festival. The Industry Programmer will be required to work flexible hours around the dates of the Gender Equity in Media Film Festival.
Salary/Wage: CAD $2,000 honorarium
Key Responsibilities:
- Watch the selected films;
- Propose topics and ideas to cover in the industry program and design the industry blocks;
- Coordinate the Pitch Forum;
- Coordinate the Awards Show and festival events/parties;
- Coordinate all other industry blocks at the festival;
- Work to implement selected ideas by connecting with the Festival Director, guests, filmmakers, venues, presenters, staff and Board, etc;
- Liaise with selected filmmakers and guests and ensure clear communication around what is expected of them;
- Shared with the programming team, introduce films and filmmakers during the festival and facilitate post-screening Q&As;
- Represent the mission and values of GEMFest to the film community;
- Support the GEMS team in attracting audiences to attend our authentic, diverse, engaging and original industry programming;
- Support publicity, marketing, and outreach efforts that expand and diversify GEMFest’s audience.
About GEMS Vancouver
Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver (GEMS) is a member-based organization committed to furthering 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.
Our offices are located on the unceded traditional and ancestral homelands of the xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Application Instructions
Please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@gemsvancouver.org with “GEMFest Lead Programmer”, “GEMFest Industry Programmer”, or “GEMFest Feature Film Programmer” in the subject line of your email. The deadline to submit is Monday August 17, 2026 at 11:59PM Pacific. Applicants who do not include both a resume and a cover letter will not be considered. If submitting materials poses an accessibility barrier, please contact us at jobs@gemsvancouver.org to arrange an alternative submission format.
