Community News & Opportunities

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Free First Friday 2-5pm

639 Hornby St, Vancouver BC

The Bill Reid Gallery celebrates the extraordinary diversity of contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art. As the only public Gallery in Canada dedicated to the Northwest Coast, we invite you to immerse yourself in a vibrant cultural experience. 

Details at billreidgallery.ca/

Visit the Gallery for FREE on the first Friday evening of every month!

Through the generous support of BMO, we offer free admission for all visitors to the Gallery from 4 to 8 PM on the first Friday of every month. At the start of each month, come down to the Gallery for an inspiring evening of art, free of charge. Admission is always free for children and youth aged 18 years and under, so this is the perfect opportunity to bring the whole family.

If you plan on joining us for our next Free First Friday Night, please reserve your spot in advance to guarantee entry into the Gallery. Walk-in tickets are also available based on capacity.

BOOK Tickets!!

Crazy8s 2026: Semi-Finalists Announced!

The Top 12 Teams have officially been announced! Narrowed down from an outstanding Top 40, these twelve projects showcase an exceptional range of creativity, originality, and strong storytelling potential. Each team impressed our jury during the in-person pitch sessions, bringing forward bold ideas and compelling visions for their films while showing their team’s potential to bring them to life.

As we move into the next stage of story and script development, we’re thrilled to follow these talented creators as they continue shaping their projects. Visit our website to explore the full list of shortlisted teams and learn more about their work. The final Top 6 Teams will be announced on January 14, 2026!

We want to give a special thank you to our presenting sponsor and jurors. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, DGC BC, for making everything possible. Thank you to Lecily Corbett,

TOP 12 Projects!

Vancouver Romanian Film Festival

Dec 1 - 4 FREE

Over the past quarter century Romanian cinema has proven a source of sustained artistic commitment and conviction, with filmmakers like Radu Jude, Cristi Puiu, Cristian Mungiu and Corneliu Porumboiu all winning multiple accolades at international festivals.

This year, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Romania, we are able to showcase seven of the best Romanian films from the last couple of years, and all for free!

Schedule & Tickets HERE!

The 5th Vancouver International Black Film Festival

will be held IN-PERSON and ONLINE

December 5 to 9, 2025.

VIFF Centre - 1181 Seymour St

https://vancouverblackfilmfest.com/

The Whistler Film Festival, Dec. 3rd - 7th, 2025, connects Audiences, Filmmakers and Industry with the Films we love, Industry Insights we need and the human connection that we crave. Events included film premieres, industry summits, talent programs, parties and special guest appearances by actors and directors.

WFF’s Content Summit takes place December 3-6, 2025, in Whistler with a robust calendar of programming, including informative panel sessions, talent talks, 1:1 Market Meetings, workshops, networking gatherings, pitch competitions, and networking events. Don't miss this chance to elevate your projects and your career!

WFF currently offers 11 Annual Market-Driven, domestic Talent Development and Promotion Programs for up to 82 Canadian Artists to advance their projects and craft. These highly successful, selective programs have launched the careers of many of our talented alumni.

Tickets & Event Details HERE!

Vancouver Film Industry Holiday Party

Friday, Dec 12th, InFocus Film School

presented with Celluloid Social Club, Crazy8s, Vancouver Short Film Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival and MAMM!

Networking, karaoke, drinks, free food, games, trivia, films, fun.

Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/vancouver-film-industry-holiday-party-2

Call for Volunteers. Free entry and drink for a 2 hour shift. If interested: siobhan@infocusfilmschool.com

At the Fox Cabaret – 2123 Main Street, Vancouver, BC

2026 Season

Fri. Jan. 9 | Fri. Feb. 20 | Sat. Mar. 14 | Fri. April 17 | Fri. May 8

Want to be a reader for the Fox Cabaret shows? Sign up now: HERE.

TICKETS available HERE.

 

21st annual international Gender Equity in Media Festival

March 5 - 8, 2026.

GEMS Vancouver's signature event, GEMFest, is the only film festival dedicated to women and gender-diverse people in Western Canada, and one of just three international film festivals for women and gender-diverse people in Canada.

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.

The festival will open in Spring 2026, and screen films with women & gender-diverse filmmakers in at least three of the following eight key creative roles: Writer, Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Composer, Lead Performer and Production Designer.

The 2026 festival will be a focused on in-person screenings and events.

https://gemsvancouver.org/

Thanks to all who Participated in our 2025 Event!!

Run N Gun is Vancouver's wildest filmmaking competition. Established in 2015, over 1100 films have been created through Run N Gun (& our sister competitions Shits N Giggles, Blood N Guts & Vancouver Quarentine Performance Project), and it has become the biggest filmmaking event Vancouver has to offer!

Run N Gun website HERE!

 

Next Celluloid Social Club Event - TBD

Celluloid Supper Club, presented in association with Celluloid Social Club and Shamshiri Caveman Restaurant.

Keep in touch with local screenings happening online at our FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/18306091376

https://celluloidsocialclub.com/

 

Ongoing Resources & Friends…..

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.

The Genre Film Lab / Coffee Chats - past chats available to view online!

gemsvancouver.org

BIZ Books

Your online source for film, television, and theatre books. We invite you to browse through our online store where you will find thousands of titles. Let’s make your creative dreams come true!

Sign up for our newsletter with notices of sales, workshops, blogs & special events at bizbooks.net

GVPTA is a non-profit charitable organization whose membership includes theatre companies, theatre makers and artists, and other organizations and individuals that support theatre. We provide services, promotion of member news and community events, opportunities to connect and network, and hold an annual theatre conference. 

Show Listings Here!

First Saturday Open Studios

First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event in Vancouver, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Victoria & the Gulf Islands. Each month a new artist opens their doors to the public to share their work & chat…

Website & details here!

For Reviews of local & international performances & arts events, Colin Thomas [award winning playwright, Theatre Reviewer & Critic for almost four decades] offers thoughtful & insightful gems to consider in the world of theatre & art. Highly recommend!

Fresh Sheet Subscribe!

 

Short Play Challenge Winners!

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Come see the winners of the Short Play Challenge!

Come see the winners of the Short Play Challenge!

 

Yup, it’s that time. The Cold Reading Series is pleased to (finally!) announce the winners of the Short Play Challenge.

These seven writers will have their plays produced in 6 weeks. Yes, that’s right. We’re bringing four plays to life in the next six weeks, and you get to come see them. So mark it down on your calendar if you haven’t already. 

The winners of the short play challenge are:

High School Diplomacy by Cookie Boyle

Out & About by Mairy Beam, Dick O'Connor, Neila Lem, Michel Crete

Kidnappees by Annahis Basmadjian

Legless by Colette Nichol

Thank you for coming out to the shows and voting. Thank you for submitting your scripts. Thank you for supporting local creativity.

Without the support of the actors, writers, and audience members who came out and watched, clapped, laughed, cried, and voted, this wouldn’t be happening. 

We’re very excited to be bringing you three World Premiere’s and one West Coast Premiere this coming May at Studio 16.

Dates: May 9th, 10th, 11th @ 8 pm

Tickets go on sale on April 9th, so watch for that link. 

Collaboration with UBC's Top Screenwriters

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There can be a lot of waiting when you're an actor. Waiting for your agent to call. Waiting to land the perfect role. Waiting to meet the right people.
If you're tired of waiting, and you're craving a community of like-minded artists, actors, writers, filmmakers and directors who want to make their own work, come down to the Cold Reading Series' next event. 
The Cold Reading Series' next event: a collaboration between UBC's top screenwriters and the CRS.
Meet the four writers who are coming from all across North America to share their scripts with you. Part of the UBC Creative Writing Program, these early career writers are looking to hone their material and test it on a live audience. And we need you to bring their characters to life!

What's On?
Bees Are Dying by Michael Glasbourg
edu.Kate (pilot) by Peter Lockyer
Like a Thief in the Night by Kyle D'Odorico
Peace and the Good by Merril-Ann S. Phare

Stop waiting for your phone to ring.
Come out and cold read.
Sit back and enjoy the show.
Meet like minded artists who want to make their own work and take their art into their own hands.
 
January 30th at The Backstage Lounge on Granville Island
Casting at 6:30 pm Show at 8:00 pm
We look forward to seeing you there!

P.S. If you've been wondering who won the Screenwriting Prize...you'll find out soon!  Winners will be announced at the January Episode. 
P.P.S. The last scripts of the Short Play Challenge will be going up in Feb, so keep your eye out for that. 

Dramaturgy for the Short Play Challenge

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JUST ANOTHER REASON TO SUBMIT to the SHORT PLAY CHALLENGE:

If having your short play mounted by the CRS weren't reason enough to submit to the CRS this year, all winning playwrights will receive dramaturgical support from long-time story editor, dramaturg, director, teacher, actor, and CRS host LORI TRIOLO.

Lori's work as an artist, actor, mentor and coach led her to becoming involved in theatre and film as a director and producer. She has directed numerous plays ranging from student to professional to solo show productions. Lori most recently acted as producer and casting director for the Canadian independent feature film Lost Solace directed by Chris Scheuerman - a project which is now on the festival circuit.

With over 15 years as a dramaturge and story editor for countless projects, your work will be in good hands.

SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT

Story Editors Announced!

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The CRS is excited to announce the two story editors who have generously donated their time to the Cold Reading Series as part of the Screenwriter's Prize this year.

JUST CONFIRMED: two of Canada's top Story Editors have donated their time to the CRS Screenwriter's Prize this year. Two lucky writers will receive a story editing session with one of two industry veterans: LINDA COFFEY or DENNIS HEATON.

Submissions are open until November 1st, and all general submissions to the CRS of finished feature scripts and short scripts will be eligible to win.

LINDA COFFEY, STORY EDITOR & GUEST MENTOR, WIDC

Linda Coffey is one of the very few story editors in Canada to have worked successfully in every aspect of both film and television development and production. She has story edited and consulted on hundreds of hours of television and feature film projects and has been a Guest Mentor with Women In The Director's Chair since 2006.

DENNIS HEATON, SCREENWRITER & SHOW RUNNER

Dennis Heaton is a multiple award-winning screenwriter, show runner and executive producer. Currently executive producer and show runner for CTV’s “Motive,” he’s also worked on “Call Me Fitz” for HBO, CTV’s “The Listener”, and Lifetime’s “Blood Ties”. In 2015 he won two Leo Awards - one for his work on “Motive” and the other for “Are you Gonna Eat That?”

Submit Your Script

Short Play Challenge & Screenwriter's Prize

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The CRS is excited to be offering two new development opportunities to storytellers in Vancouver.

The Short Play Challenge is a chance for both emerging and established writers to experiment with a short play format and have their works produced on stage by The Cold Reading Series as part of the 2017 Short Theatre Festival.

 
Short Play Challenge Vancouver
 

 

Any original unproduced play of 20 pages or less may be submitted throughout the season. Semifinalists will be decided by the CRS team, and the final winners will be voted on by the audience.

Open to playwrights in the Lower Mainland who can attend a live cold reading of their play this year, the Short Play Challenge has been created to provide opportunities for development to local storytellers and to strengthen the creative community.

Playwrights are welcome to submit more than one play. Each submission is $5.00 and can be submitted via the General Submission Page. 

Keep in mind that since the CRS audience will be voting in the final winners over the 2016 season, there is a clear advantage in submitting your play earlier rather than later. This will give the audience more opportunities to vote for your entry.

Votes cost $1.00 per vote, and audience members can vote as many times as they like. Playwrights can vote as well, just not for their own play. All voting must be done in person at the CRS.

Once voting commences, a leader board with the rankings will be on the Cold Reading Series Facebook page, so you can follow along as the challenge progresses.

Voting will come to a close in November at the last episode of the year.

Winners will be announced on November 15th. The last day to submit for the Short Play Challenge is November 1st at midnight PST.

For full details please go HERE >>