The Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival wrapped its 36th edition with a special awards ceremony on Saturday, May 30, at the TIFF Lightbox, where $28,500 in prizes were awarded to emerging and established 2SLGBTQ+ filmmakers. Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions, directed by Michelle Mama was named Best Canadian Feature, Iván & Hadoum, directed by Ian de la Rosa received the Juried Award for Best International Feature, while Black Burns Fast, directed by Sandulela Asanda won the Best First Feature Award.
The Audience Awards were announced on Sunday, with I Come Home, directed by Glen Wood winning Best Narrative Feature; Tender Chosen, directed by Mason McDonald winning Best Short; and Heals, directed by Pailin Wedel winning Best Documentary. Wedel also received an Honorable Mention for Best International Feature.
CANADIAN JURIED AWARDS
The Canadian jury included film programmer Jaye Hudson, director Nosa Eke and Vancouver Queer Film Festival programmer Audder Monton.
Best Canadian Feature Award – Sponsored by David Carter
$4,500 cash award presented to a Canadian artist for their feature-length narrative or documentary film.
Winner: Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions – directed by Michelle Mama
Honourable Mention: Tracy & Martina: Goin’ Out West – directed by Brendan Lyle
Emerging Canadian Filmmaker Award – Sponsored by RBC Royal Bank
$5,000 cash prize presented to an early career Canadian Filmmaker
Winner: The D Word – directed by Mya Van Dyk
Honourable Mention: Devils in the Bush – by Juliet Belisario
Best Canadian Short Award
$2,000 cash award presented to a Canadian filmmaker for their short-form narrative or documentary film.
Winner: Brief Somebodies – directed by Andy Reid
Honourable Mention: Same Time Next Year? – directed by Anushay Sheik
INTERNATIONAL JURIED AWARDS
The international jury was comprised of Vancouver-based film programmer and filmmaker Kathleen Mullen, journalist Dino-Ray Ramos and Toronto-based film programmer and writer Aashna Thakkar.
Best First Feature – Sponsored by NBCUniversal
$3,000 cash award presented to the International Jury’s selection for best film by a first-time feature director.
Winner: Black Burns Fast – directed by Sandulela Asanda
Honourable Mention: Out Laws – directed by James Lewis and Lexi Powner
Best International Feature
$3,000 cash award presented to the International Jury’s selection for best film by an International feature director.
Winner: Iván & Hadoum – directed by Ian de la Rosa
Honourable Mention: Heals – directed by Pailin Wedel
PITCH, PLEASE! COMPETITION – Sponsored by CFMDC, Diving Horses, Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto, Ontario Camera.
The 2026 jury were Lauren Saarimaki, Judith Schuyler and Wayne Burns.
A $5,000 production grant presented to the filmmaker with the best five-minute pitch.
Pitch, Please Competition winner: Chaat Masala by Anushay Sheikh
AUDIENCE AWARDS
Best Narrative Feature
$2,500 cash award presented to the audience’s favourite feature-length narrative film.
I Come Home – directed by Glen Wood
Best Documentary Feature – Sponsored by TVO Docs
$2,500 cash award presented to the audience’s favourite feature-length documentary.
Heals – directed by Pailin Wedel
Best Short
$1,000 cash award presented to the audience’s favourite film within a shorts program.
Tender Chosen – directed by Mason McDonald
Take a look at photos from the Awards Ceremony
