The Crazy8s Film Society announced that this year’s host for their annual filmmaking challenge is screen and voice-over actor, writer, and photographer, Sam Krochmal (The Vince Staples Show). The Crazy8s Gala event will take place at The Centre in Vancouver on April 11, 2026, with a star-studded afterparty at Science World. Crazy8s is an 8-day short filmmaking challenge and program that provides support and funding to six emerging filmmakers to produce a short film and then showcase it at the Gala.
Sam Krochmal is an award-winning actor and screenwriter from Edmonton, now based in Vancouver. No stranger to the Crazy8s program, Sam previously served as producer, co-writer, and lead actor on the 2024 film DTF?, which has since gone on to an acclaimed international festival run. After returning for 2025’s Red Light Rebel, he is thrilled to be back this year as Gala host. Sam’s 2026 slate is his busiest yet. He recently wrapped a recurring role on a major streaming series set to release this fall and will soon appear in the Netflix feature Voicemails for Isabelle opposite Nick Offerman, as well as the horror feature The Young People, directed by Osgood Perkins.
This year’s talented top 6 finalists were announced in January and have been busy creating their films which will screen for the first time at the gala and be celebrated with Vancouver’s film community and the public-alike, at an exciting and glamorous event on Saturday, April 11th, often dubbed the “best film party of the year.” Special speaking guests are slated to include Attorney General / Deputy Premier Niki Sharma, Telefilm Canada Regional Feature Film Executive: English Market – Western Region Andrew Williamson, CreativeBC CEO Prem Gill, and DGC BC Chair Zach Lipovsky.
This year’s top 6 teams
THE DECISION
Cory Thibert
Director: Cory Thibert Writer: Steven Cayer Executive Producers: Steven Cayer, Ava Maria Safai Lead Producer: Jelian Quincina Producer: Alexa Gogoescu Genre: Drama
Synopsis: A sharp-witted 30-year-old man with cerebral palsy living in assisted care has his independence tested when his overprotective mother secretly enrolls him in a risky medical trial—forcing him, his girlfriend, and his neighbor to confront what freedom really means.
Synopsis: Feeling out of place as a half-Japanese male, Benny undergoes a new surgical procedure called “Beyond Asian.” This advanced technology allows individuals to erase their non-Asian heritage and implant artificial memories, transforming them, into fully Asian.
GONE VIRAL
Director: Kat Reynolds Writers: Felicia Simone, Kat Reynolds Executive Producer: Ian Nsenga Producers: Felicia Simone, Renata Calderon, Adrian Neblett, Jennifer Duong, Maritama Carlson, Mariam Barry, Mimi Dejene Co-Producer: Jessica To Associate Producer: Tracey Walker Genre: Thriller
Synopsis: Amelia is a true crime podcaster who is struggling to build a sustainable following and is convinced the algorithm is working against her as a creator of color. After investigating the production of a mysterious juice that makes influencers go viral, Amelia makes a horrifying discovery.
THE LAST CALLER
Mariel Calvo
Director: Mariel Calvo Writer: Miguel Da Ponte Story by: Mariel Calvo, Miguel Da Ponte Producers: Kris Mish, Miguel Da Ponte Co-Producer: David Lundmark Genre: Mockumentary
Synopsis: It’s the Bingo Galaxy Quinvigintennial and rockstar bingo caller Dave Lorrie must overcome vocal nodes, handsy patrons, and his efficiency-obsessed manager if he wants to save his workplace and prove what he knows to be true: that bingo is about more than just gambling. It’s about the people behind the dabbers.
MOULD
Director/Writer: Morgan Abele Co-Director: Kiki Evans Lead Producer: Noah Rosellini Producers: Malka Martz-Oberlander, Andrea Quan Genre: Drama/Horror
Synopsis: Mould is a dramatic short that blends live-action and claymation. The film follows Stevie, a disconnected twenty-something who struggles with increasing dissociation as her body unexpectedly begins to reshape itself into clay.
THE THING INSIDE HER
Director/Writer: Jacki Gunn Co-Director: Della Haddock Lead Producer: Lizzi Pedersen Co-Producer: Jackie Hoffart Associate Producer: Alexander Jones Executive Producer: Patrick Tozer Genre: Surreal Comedy Horror
Synopsis: As the hormones from her recently removed IUD wear off, a woman realizes the horrifying truth about her boyfriend—he’s a giant slug.
Tickets are now on sale for the 27th annual celebration of film talent in BC.
