Local filmmakers take the spotlight at the 4th Annual Okanagan Screen Awards

The Okanagan’s thriving film community will take centre stage as the 4th Annual Okanagan Screen Awards returns March 28–29, 2026, for a two-day celebration of local filmmaking, creativity, and community.

Hosted by the Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmaking (OSIF), the event is presented with the support of Title Sponsor IATSE Local 891, bringing filmmakers, artists and audiences together to celebrate the talent shaping the region’s growing screen industry.

The festival kicks off Saturday, March 28, at Landmark Cinemas Xtreme in West Kelowna, where audiences can experience a full day of short films, music videos and animation created by filmmakers from across the Okanagan and surrounding regions.

Screenings run from 10 am to 5:30 pm, showcasing a diverse lineup of storytelling and cinematic creativity from local talent.

That evening, the celebration continues with a Red Carpet Gala and Awards Show at Metro Hub in downtown Kelowna, recognizing outstanding achievements in regional filmmaking.

On Sunday, March 29, the festival returns to Landmark Cinemas Xtreme for a full day of short and feature documentaries, highlighting powerful real-life stories connected to the Okanagan and the landscapes, communities and issues that shape the region.

Documentary screenings run from 10 am to 5:30 pm, offering audiences an immersive look at the people and places that define the valley.

“This festival is about bringing the community together through film,” said Nina Bournival, President of the Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmaking. “It’s an opportunity for audiences to see stories created right here in the Okanagan and support the filmmakers behind them.”

Founded in 2023, the Okanagan Screen Awards were created to spotlight the creativity and storytelling emerging from one of Canada’s fastest-growing film regions.

The festival screens a wide variety of projects; including narrative films, documentaries, music videos, animation and more, while creating opportunities for filmmakers to connect, collaborate and share their work with the community.

This year’s festival will feature 54 local projects and over 12 hours of film screenings, highlighting the depth of creative talent in the Okanagan film industry and giving audiences the chance to experience original stories created right in their own backyard.

Film enthusiasts, industry professionals and community members are invited to attend screenings, celebrate local creators and experience the energy of the Okanagan’s growing film scene.

Tickets and full festival details are available here.

_{Thumbnail photo courtesy of the OSIF on Facebook.}