March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a global celebration that highlights important issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence against women. As part of Women’s History Month, the Creative Industries in British Columbia commemorate the day with various events and showcases.
Discover how B.C. creators are contributing to the celebration with film, music, and more.
Women Behind the Sound Day
City of Vancouver proclaimed Feberuary 25, 2025 as the first-ever ‘Women Behind the Sound Day’. Honourees include Lindsay MacPherson, Executive Director, Music BC, Savannah Wellman, Co-Founder, Women in Music; BC Chapter, Chair, Music Managers Forum; Co-Founder Tiny Kingdom Label, Julie Fowler, Executive Director, BC Music Festival Collective; Co-Producer, Ignite the Arts Festival, Simone Grewal, Vice-President, BC Association of Broadcasters; Program Director & Afternoon Host, 104.3 The Breeze, and Women of BC Place’s Leadership Team.
Women Behind the Sound Day
The 3rd Annual Women in Music Canada
March 6 | 6:00pm PST | Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Women in Canada recently honoured B.C. women in music Ginalina, Harpo Mander, and Billie Jo Aasen. The Women in Music Canada Honours recognizes incredibly talented music industry and creators, making the industry more equitable for all.
Annual Women in Music Canada
Sister Jazz Quintet
March 6 | 8:00pm – 10:30pm PST | Frankie’s Jazz Club
The music performance is led by saxophonist Ingrid Stitt, Sister Jazz Quintet includes Jocelyn Waugh (trumpet), Shannon Thue (piano/vocals), Monica Dumas (bass) and Lauri Lyster (drums). Participants could experience two sets of innovative jazz arrangements, including both classic standards and original compositions, in honour of women in jazz.
Sister Jazz Quintet
GEMSFest 2025: Advocacy Panel
March 8 | 10:30am – 11:30am PST | VIFF Centre
A panel on advocacy in film, showcasing organizations whose work drives social change and funders who are working to better their approaches to equitable access. Panelists include Tanvi Bhatia (Outreach and Strategy Lead, Women in View), Kadon Douglas (EDI and Strategic Communications Specialist), Prem Gill (Chief Executive Officer, Creative BC), Meghna Haldar (Content Analyst, Telefilm), Joy Loewen (Vice President of Growth & Inclusion, CMF) and Winnie Luk (Executive Director, DSO). Moderated by Natasha Tony (Chief Executive Officer, Elevate Inclusion). Presented in partnership with Elevate Inclusion Strategies.
GEMFest 2024
The Leading Ladies
March 8 | 7:30pm PST | Kay Meek Arts Centre
Celebrate International Women’s Day with Vancouver-based 11-woman big band, The Leading Ladies. Directed by trombonist Casey Thomas-Burns, The Leading Ladies presents a rare musical blend of classic and modern jazz, showcasing beloved pieces from the big band era alongside modern-day originals.
The Leading Ladies
SHE RISES UP: Vancouver Premiere
March 8 | 7:30pm – 9:30pm PST | Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas
SHE RISES UP chronicles the remarkable journeys of three women who are helping to lift their communities out of poverty through the local businesses they fight the odds to maintain. Gladys Yupanqui of Peru founded a mini-market and is looking to expand. Magatte Wade of Senegal is building a cosmetics manufacturing company. Selyna Peiris of Sri Lanka is expanding the textile company founded by her mother.
SHE RISES UP
International Women’s Day: Accelerating Inclusive Action in Games
March 12 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm PST | Online
Organized by Diversity in Games, this is an online event that will focus on actions to continue fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment in the gaming industry. The speakers include Alejandra Meza (Head of Coordination, Women in Gamex in Mexico), Audrey Storey (Technical Director & Studio Co-owner, Silverstring Media), Dani Merrithew (Lead Quest Designer, Blizzard Entertainment).
International Women’s Day: Accelerating Inclusive Action in Games
March 6 | 7:00pm – 9:30pm PST | Inlet Theatre
To bring humor and wit to celebrate the strength and hilarity of women in the world of comedy, the show features the talented comedians, including Cassidy Furman, Niki Mohdar, Jane Stanton, and Britney Lyseng.
Queens of Comedy
