About this Event
Vancouver International Black Film Festival 2026 BLACK MARKET INDUSTRY SERIES Presented by Festwave Institute - Supported by The Action Beyond Awareness Forum (Funded by the Foundation for Black Communities, with partial support from the Government of Canada)
Step into a global hub where industry leaders, visionaries, and creatives converge to tackle today’s most pressing filmmaking challenges.
#VIBFF2026 Black Market fosters collaboration, fuels artistic exchange, and champions entrepreneurship through cutting-edge discussions and hands-on experiences. Beyond cinema, our community panels address critical societal issues, empowering the Black community through awareness, capacity-building, and meaningful connections.
Agenda
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Navigating Independent Documentary Production with the CBC
Host: Sheila Peacock
Info: Join CBC executives Sheila Peacock and Ethan Sawyer, alongside three independent filmmakers, to learn how CBC’s Absolutely Canadian and Creator Network programs support emerging filmmakers in crafting stories that meet CBC’s Journalistic Standards of Practice for distribution across CBC Gem, television, YouTube, and FAST channels. The discussion will include a Q&A with the audience.
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:45 PM
The Future is Creative: Following Your Passion & Creating Your Own Path
Host: Marie Tate
Info: Hear from BIPOC Creatives in film, music and animation while they share their stories of breaking in, building a career and adapting to changes in these industries.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
VIBFF Vancouver Black Filmmaker Spotlight
Host: Dean Redman,
Info: A new showcase celebrating the Black filmmakers shaping Vancouver’s film industry.
As part of the Vancouver International Black Film Festival’s BLACK MARKET Industry Series, the Vancouver Black Filmmaker Spotlight features three selected short films by local Black filmmakers, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
This showcase offers audiences an opportunity to discover local talent, hear the stories behind the films, and engage directly with the filmmakers about their creative journeys, filmmaking processes, and perspectives on the industry
🕑: 03:45 PM - 05:30 PM
Vertical Dramas: The Future of Short-Form Storytelling
Host: Yuliia Vyshnevska
Info: Vertical dramas are transforming the way audiences discover and consume stories, with short, serialized episodes designed for viewing on smartphones and social media platforms. This rapidly growing format is creating new opportunities for filmmakers, writers, producers, and actors while opening doors to innovative storytelling, new business models, and alternative pathways into the screen industry.
This workshop will explore the creative and business opportunities behind vertical dramas, from developing compelling stories and casting talent to understanding production requirements, distribution platforms, and monetization strategies. Participants will gain insight into this emerging format, discover what makes a successful vertical series, and learn how they can position their projects to take advantage of this evolving market.
🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
NETWORKING SESSION
Info: Join us for the VIBFF Let’s Connect Networking Session!
Meet film and television industry professionals, exchange ideas, discover new projects, and explore exciting opportunities for collaboration.
Event venue & nearby stays
VIFF Centre, 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.