Geneviève Dulude-De Celles’ “Nina Roza,” Nyla Innuksuk’s “In the Heart of the South” and Marie Clements’ “How We Stand” are among the films taking top honors at the 45th Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF).
The festival announced its 2026 juried awards winners on Wednesday night, recognizing films across its Summit, Horizon, Tides, Arbutus, Vanguard and Short Forum competitions.
The Summit Award went to “Nina Roza,” directed by Dulude-De Celles, which the jury praised for its compassionate exploration of the immigrant experience, identity and belonging. The film follows a protagonist returning to his hometown for the first time in 28 years, drawn back by the mystery surrounding a young artistic prodigy. “We all know what it’s like to long for home,” said the jury, “We were all enamored by this film’s direction, authentic performances, stunning cinematography, and evocative music.”
Ian Bawa’s “Strong Son” snagged a special mention.
For the Horizon Award, the jury selected Nyla Innuksuk’s “In the Heart of the South,” describing the film as a “strong example of Canadian cinema.” The jury praised its performances by Anna Lambe and Zorga Qaunaq and “polished cinematic approach.”
Nathan Donovan’s “Clubfoot” received the Horizon jury’s special mention.
Banchi Hanuse’s “Ceremony” scooped the The Tides Award for a feature about the disappearance of ooligan fish from Bella Coola and the Nuxalk Nation’s efforts to protect and preserve its lands and waters. “Through beautiful cinematography and inventive storytelling, the film documents the strengths of community members consistently challenging the boundaries of imposed systems while drawing upon the resilience and generosity of their ancestors,” the jury said.
A special mention went to Carol Nguyen’s “Still Night, Burning House.”
The Arbutus Award, which recognizes British Columbia filmmaking, went to Marie Clements’ “How We Stand,” a story of sisters separated by tragedy. The film confronts “difficult and traumatic history by bringing it into vivid, real, human focus. Its surrealist style, deft storytelling, heart, and powerful heroines at once entertain, educate and demand self-reflection—as individuals, and as a society,” the jury noted.
Hayley Gray and Kaayla Whachell’s “Send the Rain” won a special mention.
“Hear the Yellow,” directed by Banu Sıvacı, took the Vanguard Award kudos, praised for its “remarkable depth,” “originality,” “singular cinematic language” and “emotional precision,” said the jury, stating that through “bold character work and intelligent use of metaphor, it transports us into a vividly specific landscape while creating a powerful dialogue between rural and urban, and a family separated by time.”
Samuel Urbina’s “That Shadow Fading” received the Vanguard special mention.
The Short Forum Award was adjudicated to “Pre-Parenting,” an animated film by Taiwan-based filmmaker Yu Yu, with a special mention scored by Kamal Aljafari’s “Going Home.”
The juried awards come as VIFF wraps its 45th edition on Oct. 11.
The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) 2026 Juries
Summit Award: Rhia Aden, Nach Dudsdeemaytha, Caitlyn Sponheimer
Horizon Award: Arjun Ayillath, Madeleine Davis, Michael Mann
Tides Award: Selwyn Jacob, Lyana Patrick, Jeff Lee Petry
Arbitus Award Jury: Josephine Anderson, Brenda Lieberman, David Taylor
Vanguard Award Jury: Joaquin Cardoner, Caroline Monnet, Sarah Shamash
Short Film Award Jury: Tanvi Bhatia, Ariel Bond, Thanh Lieu
English (US) ·