The 3rd Annual Youth Showcase

On the afternoon of Saturday, April 18th, we kicked off our final day with the 3rd Annual VISFF Youth Showcase at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre. This year’s program featured 9 original films from emerging local and international talent, proving that the future of cinema is in very capable hands.

The event featured a live-streamed program, Q&A sessions where directors shared their creative processes, and the presentation of the Youth Goldie Award.

Youth Goldie Best Film Winner: Ouroborus by Luccianna Albarran

Youth Goldie Best Film Winner: Broke Back Alley by Mitchell Nicholas Gauthier

The official films of the 2026 VISFF Youth Showcase:

Action Movie by Kris Galloway and Felix Lutwyche

An aspiring actor’s mundane lunch spirals into a surreal, genre-bending journey.

Men of Fish by Nate Taschereau

If you could get any pet, what would it be?

Uncle Vanya by Mischa Gretchen

Deep in the woods lies an old house in the countryside, home to nine outcasts, each assured they are trapped in a meaningless existence.

Broke Back Alley by Mitchell Nicholas Gauthier

A selfish young man gets what’s coming to him after wronging too many people. He goes on a bad trip after taking something he didn’t look at close enough.

Starlight by Emanuel Drelichman

Humanity on the brink puts its last hope in the starlight project to find us a new home.

Ouroborus by Luccianna Albarran

Haunted by his mother’s lifelong disapproval, a spiraling young artist takes the stage for a guitar performance that serves as both a breakdown and a breakthrough.

Tree of Life by Jana Bedić

A spectral voice drifts through the misty landscapers of a swamp.

Wish upon a Mermaid by Aramesh and Parastest Soroushan

A girl wishes for a friend, which ends up coming to her in a peculiar way.

Szleepy Vasiliy by Dante Gullotti

When a grumpy grandpa is tasked to babysit his snarky grandson, a secret is unveiled, and he soon receives a new mission. Cold War tensions are heated back up, their relationship is changed forever, and so is the world.

3rd Annual Youth Showcase. Filmmakers past and present.