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CANADIAN CHANGE MAKERS: BRITISH COLUMBIA
The Canadian Change Makers program showcases “change makers” who are driven by the genuine goal of making the world a better place in some way.
Click here for more of the Change Makers Program.
See our film guide here!
THE EMPRESS OF VANCOUVER
VIEWING REGION: Canada
The Empress of Vancouver is a cinematic and intimate collision of drag, queer history, and performance art, a musical and genre bending irreverent documentary that follows trans icon Oliv Howe as she prepares for the 40th anniversary of her coronation.
2022 | Canada- British Columbia | 90 mins
Filmmakers

Dave Rodden-Shortt, Director
Dave Rodden-Shortt is a Vancouver-based, queer filmmaker. Dave holds a BA in Communications and Film Studies from Queen’s University and is the founder of Shortt and Epic Productions (2011) and Lantern Films (2015). Dave’s work and creativity have won him awards, including the Gerry Brunet Award for Best BC Short Film, Under the Rainbow. His latest short film, Happytime Social Club, commissioned by B.C.’s Knowledge Network, premiered at VIFF in 2019. The Empress of Vancouver is his first feature length film.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.