The 22nd annual Vancouver Island Short Film Festival concluded with the Goldie Award Ceremony, honoring the best films in seven categories. Congratulations to the following nominees and winners!

Below are the winners and nominees for the 2026 season:

The Nominees for the Goldie Award for Best Screenplay are:

This Goldie Award honours excellence in the art of screenwriting. This award is sponsored by Windowseat Books

Winner: Ramón Who Speaks to Ghosts by Shervin Kermani

Nominees: Ramón Who Speaks to Ghosts by Shervin Kermani, Place Under The Sun by Vlad Bolgarin, Obscura by Arnold Lim

The Nominees for the Goldie Award for Best Cinematography are:

This Goldie Award celebrates the power of visual language to captivate and transport. It recognizes the film with the most stunning and effective cinematography, where every frame contributed to an immersive storytelling experience. This award is sponsored by the City of Nanaimo.

Winner: Weeping Fig by  Sohee Hong

Nominees: L’ Anniversaire by Thibault Mombellet, Weeping Fig by Sohee Hong, Ramón Who Speaks to Ghosts by Shervin Kermani

The Nominees for the Goldie Award for Best Performance: 

This award celebrates the singular achievement of an actor who has delivered an unforgettable and transformative portrayal. This award is sponsored by Mambo’s Pizza

Winner: Grigore Bechet (Place Under The Sun by Vlad Bolgarin)

Nominees: Grigore Bechet (Place Under The Sun by Vlad Bolgarin), Ramazan Makabatuly (Rock Berkut by Tamerlan Almanov), Aurora Browne (Brenda and Baxter by Leah Johnston)

The Nominees for the Goldie Award for Best Music:

This category celebrates the art of crafting music that profoundly enhances the cinematic experience. This award is sponsored by CHLY

Winner: Four Hands (Quarte Mains), Hélène Sevaux

Nominees: Rock Berkut by Tamerlan Almanov, Little Ancestor (La Petite Ancetre) by Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur, Four Hands (Quarte Mains) by Hélène Sevaux

The Nominees for the Goldie Award for Best of BC:

From the stunning landscapes that inspire us to the unique voices that shape our identity, British Columbia is a vibrant hub for cinematic creation. The Judging Committee was captivated by the artistry and storytelling on display in this category. This award is sponsored by Sparky’s Film Rentals

Winner: Obscura by Arnold Lim

Nominees: Weeping Fig by Sohee Hong, Obscura by Arnold Lim, Le Tour De Canada by John Hollands, The Ride by Zack Hamm

The Nominees for the Goldie Award for Best Film:

The Judging Committee faced a formidable task this year, with each nominee demonstrating remarkable talent and vision. This award is sponsored by IATSE | Local 891

Winner: Cancer Kid by Vasili Manikas

Nominees: L’ Anniversaire by Thibault Mombellet, Brenda and Baxter by Leah Johnston, Arguments in Favor of Love by Gabriel Abrantes, Cancer Kid by Vasili Manikas

The People’s Choice Goldie Award:

This award is voted on directly by our audience and is presented to the film that moved, inspired, or entertained the most. Out of the 18 films in Shorts Program 1 and 2, only one film can win the People’s Choice. This award is sponsored by UBCP | ACTRA

Winner: The Ride by Zack Hamm

Goldie Award for Peoples Choice