Vancouver International Film Festival

Festival update – May 2021: As our regular deadline approaches, we’re planning for a 40th edition of VIFF that allows all of our film selections to play in-cinema, with many of these titles also available online. Following the guidelines of BC's Restart, we’ll adapt the scope of our in-person events to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Should you have questions regarding your project, please email submissions@viff.org _______ The Vancouver International Film Festival is a showcase of exceptional international cinema in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. VIFF takes great pride in championing international cinema's most exciting new voices, offering diverse programming and fostering enlightening dialogue. In 2019, our in-person festival had 110,000 admissions. In 2020, our online festival recorded 90,000 views. We anticipate that our 2021 edition will include 100 feature films and 100 shorts. Furthermore, we’ll once again expand the frame to include talks, workshops, performances and other unique events that celebrate innovations in cinematic storytelling. At VIFF’s 2020 edition, these events included talks with the likes of Charlie Kaufman (I’m Thinking of Ending Things), Garrett Bradley (Time) and Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), the VIFF Immersed Exhibition of narrative-driven VR experiences, Creator Labs, the VIFF AMP Music in Film Summit, as well as an evening of music and conversation with Beverly Glenn-Copeland (Keyboard Fantasies). FILM PROGRAMMING SERIES Panorama - The world's boldest creators and their exceptional works. The year's most anticipated international films and new discoveries curated specifically for VIFF audiences. True North - A celebration of the extraordinary creativity and craft being demonstrated by Canadian storytellers from coast to coast. Impact - Uncompromising films and insightful discussions that spark action and change the way we see the world. Insights - This acclaimed series explores the endless possibilities of nonfiction filmmaking while investigating essential subject matter. Gateway - Journey into the cinematic reaches of East Asia with some of the world's most compelling storytellers as your guides. M/A/D - Music, art and design receive their deserved big-screen treatment in this aesthetically alluring stream. Altered States - Genre-bending features that defy traditional classification and demand that you play by their warped rules. VIFF Short Forum - A showcase of the myriad perspectives, experiences and aesthetic approaches that are elevating Canadian short-form storytelling. International Shorts - In a matter of minutes, these films immerse you in fully realized narratives that leave an indelible mark. MODES - International short works that explore how far the form of cinema is capable of bending. (These series are subject to change). VIRTUAL & AUGMENTED REALITY COMPETITION STREAMS International VIFF Immersed Competition Virtual Reality – Cinematic Live Action Narrative-driven VR experiences created from the live action capture of human participants using camera or volumetric methods that exemplify works of narrative fiction. Virtual Reality – Animation Narrative-driven VR animation experiences created using original crafted artwork to embody the characters, setting and objects of its story. Virtual Reality – Documentary Immersive VR stories that document and explore an aspect of the real world. Augmented Reality - Live Action / Animation / Documentary This category is designed to showcase narrative AR experiences. Content may be interactive and classified as fiction, documentary or animation. BC Showcase Virtual & Augmented Reality – BC Showcase A curated showcase of VR and AR works emerging from the creative nexus that is British Columbia.