The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) has officially dropped its lineup for its 26th edition, running December 2–6, 2026 in Whistler, B.C.
Packed with 103 films—including 20 world premieres and a massive 70% Canadian content—this year’s slate brings big-screen spectacle, intimate character studies, and top-tier talent competing for $161,500 in total cash and prizes.
Here is your guide to WFF26, including the key festival highlights and the standout queer-themed cinema you won't want to miss.
At a Glance
103 Total Films: 36 features and series, plus 67 short films spread across 9 curated programs.
Borsos Competition: 16 Canadian feature films competing for Canada’s premier $40,000 prize package.
Strong Representation: 38% of films directed by women or non-binary filmmakers, 19% Indigenous-led projects, and 10% LGBTQIA+ titles.
Opening Night: Ray Gunn (Dir. Brad Bird) – A sci-fi noir animated feature starring Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson.
Closing Night: The Lightkeeper (Dir. Vic Sarin) – A coastal romance starring Dominic Cooper and Sarah Gadon.
🌈 Queer-Themed Highlights at WFF26
With 10% of the lineup dedicated to LGBTQIA+ stories, WFF26 showcases a vibrant spectrum of queer voices, campy satires, and groundbreaking indie storytelling. Here are the top queer-themed features and shorts to add to your festival schedule:
1. Jim Queen (Dir. Nicolas Athane, Marco Nguyen) | Special Presentations
A gloriously camp and outrageously funny animated satire from France. The story follows a famous Parisian influencer and gay icon who contracts a bizarre virus that begins turning gay men straight. It's a high-concept, stylized comedy that tackles identity, influencer culture, and queer absurdity head-on.
2. Seventeen (Dir. Justin Ducharme) | Essential Cinema
Written and directed by Métis filmmaker Justin Ducharme, this intimate Vancouver drama crosses the paths of three Indigenous characters over the course of a single day. Centering on themes of chosen family, sex work, and urban Indigenous identity, Seventeen is an essential, nuanced look at contemporary queer lives on the West Coast.
3. She’s Nonbinary | Shortworks 5: Tell Me, Tell Me
Featured in the Shortworks selection, She’s Nonbinary takes an honest, humorous, and heartfelt deep dive into modern dating, gender identity, and the everyday complexities of navigating relationships outside the binary.
4. Diversity Behind the Camera
Beyond explicit on-screen themes, queer and non-binary creators are well-represented across the festival's competitions, with 38% of all films helm by women or non-binary directors.
🎟️ Ticket & Event Information
Festival Dates: December 2–6, 2026 (Content Summit runs Dec. 2–5)
Pass & Ticket Packs: On sale starting Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. PT
Individual Tickets: On sale starting Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. PT
Borsos 6-Pack: Grab 6 Borsos Competition feature tickets for just $36!
Head over to whistlerfilmfestival.com to lock in your passes and build your screening schedule.