With Vancouver cinemas now at full capacity, we anticipate that the VIFF will see every one of our official selections screen in brick and mortar venues. A collection of titles will also be made available for online viewing.
The annual Vancouver International Film Festival is a showcase of exceptional cinema in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. In VIFF will present approximately 120 features and 80 shorts and expand the frame with talks, conferences, performances and other unique events that celebrate film and film culture. At VIFF's edition, these events included our VIFF Leading Lights conversation between Kore-eda Hirokazu and Bora Kim, insightful talks with Jade Healy (The Green Knight) and Craig Zobel (Mare of Easttown) , the VIFF Immersed Exhibition of XR experiences, creative development opportunities like VIFF Labs and the VIFF Catalyst mentorship program, and the VIFF AMP Music in Film Summit.
FILM PROGRAMMING SERIES
Contemporary World Cinema - 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).
Awards & Prizes:
Awards for Vancouver International Film Festival will be announced in the spring.
VIFF presented the following awards:
Best Canadian Film $15,000 award presented by the Directors Guild of Canada.
Emerging Canadian Director $3,000 award presented by the Directors Guild of Canada.
Best Canadian Documentary $15,000 award presented by the Rogers Group of Funds.
Best BC Film Award $10,000 award from Creative BC and $15,000 in post-production services credit supplied by Company 3.
BC Emerging Filmmaker Award $5,000 award from UBCP/ACTRA and $10,000 equipment credit supplied by William F. White International Inc.
Best Canadian Short $4,500 cash prize presented by Reunion Pacific Entertainment & VIFF.
Best BC Short Film $2,500 cash prize presented by Pass-Through Productions.
VIFF Impact Award $5,000 CAD presented by the Lochmaddy Foundation to an international documentary playing in the Impact competition.
Rob Stewart Eco Warrior Award $5,000 prize presented by RBC and Cineplex to a documentary filmmaker that recognizes an outstanding contribution by an activist-storyteller.
Rules & Terms:
RULES & TERMS FOR FILMS
ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY 1) Submitted feature films and international shorts must not have been broadcast, distributed, offered on VOD or screened theatrically in the Vancouver area. Given the impact of COVID-19, VIFF will consider films that have screened at online festivals. 2) Submissions should have been completed after June 1, 2021. 3) All non-English language submissions must have English subtitles. 4) All applicable licenses and waivers of copyrights, moral rights, trademarks and other such intellectual property rights have been secured by the filmmaker(s) 5) Submission fees are non-refundable.
SHIPPING WHEN APPLICABLE 1. Once a film has been accepted for participation in the Festival, detailed shipping instructions will be sent to the print supplier. 2. The Festival agrees to cover transportation and insuring prints both ways directly to and from the actual print supplier, or to cover one-way transportation when the print is shipped to or from other festivals. 3. Each print sent to the Festival from outside of Canada enters the country on a Canada Customs "Duty Free Temporary Admissions Permit" and must be returned after the Festival.
CONSENT Participation in the Vancouver International Film Festival implies understanding and acceptance of these regulations: 1) Vancouver International Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. 2) The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. 3) The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless Vancouver International Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
Once a project has been accepted for participation in the Festival, detailed uploading or shipping instructions will be sent to the applicant.
LIABILITY In the case of loss or serious damage to exhibition equipment, the Festival is not obligated to replacement of said equipment.
CONSENT Participation in the Vancouver International Film Festival implies understanding and acceptance of these regulations.
Vancouver International Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.
The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.
The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless Vancouver International Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
With Vancouver cinemas now at full capacity, we anticipate that the VIFF will see every one of our official selections screen in brick and mortar venues. A collection of titles will also be made available for online viewing.
The annual Vancouver International Film Festival is a showcase of exceptional cinema in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. In VIFF will present approximately 120 features and 80 shorts and expand the frame with talks, conferences, performances and other unique events that celebrate film and film culture. At VIFF's edition, these events included our VIFF Leading Lights conversation between Kore-eda Hirokazu and Bora Kim, insightful talks with Jade Healy (The Green Knight) and Craig Zobel (Mare of Easttown) , the VIFF Immersed Exhibition of XR experiences, creative development opportunities like VIFF Labs and the VIFF Catalyst mentorship program, and the VIFF AMP Music in Film Summit.
FILM PROGRAMMING SERIES
Contemporary World Cinema - 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).
Awards for Vancouver International Film Festival will be announced in the spring.
VIFF presented the following awards:
Best Canadian Film
$15,000 award presented by the Directors Guild of Canada.
Emerging Canadian Director
$3,000 award presented by the Directors Guild of Canada.
Best Canadian Documentary
$15,000 award presented by the Rogers Group of Funds.
Best BC Film Award
$10,000 award from Creative BC and $15,000 in post-production services credit supplied by Company 3.
BC Emerging Filmmaker Award
$5,000 award from UBCP/ACTRA and $10,000 equipment credit supplied by William F. White International Inc.
Best Canadian Short
$4,500 cash prize presented by Reunion Pacific Entertainment & VIFF.
Best BC Short Film
$2,500 cash prize presented by Pass-Through Productions.
VIFF Impact Award
$5,000 CAD presented by the Lochmaddy Foundation to an international documentary playing in the Impact competition.
Rob Stewart Eco Warrior Award
$5,000 prize presented by RBC and Cineplex to a documentary filmmaker that recognizes an outstanding contribution by an activist-storyteller.
RULES & TERMS FOR FILMS
ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
1) Submitted feature films and international shorts must not have been broadcast, distributed, offered on VOD or screened theatrically in the Vancouver area. Given the impact of COVID-19, VIFF will consider films that have screened at online festivals.
2) Submissions should have been completed after June 1, 2021.
3) All non-English language submissions must have English subtitles.
4) All applicable licenses and waivers of copyrights, moral rights, trademarks and other such intellectual property rights have been secured by the filmmaker(s)
5) Submission fees are non-refundable.
SHIPPING WHEN APPLICABLE
1. Once a film has been accepted for participation in the Festival, detailed shipping instructions will be sent to the print supplier.
2. The Festival agrees to cover transportation and insuring prints both ways directly to and from the actual print supplier, or to cover one-way transportation when the print is shipped to or from other festivals.
3. Each print sent to the Festival from outside of Canada enters the country on a Canada Customs "Duty Free Temporary Admissions Permit" and must be returned after the Festival.
CONSENT
Participation in the Vancouver International Film Festival implies understanding and acceptance of these regulations:
1) Vancouver International Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.
2) The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.
3) The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless Vancouver International Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
Once a project has been accepted for participation in the Festival, detailed uploading or shipping instructions will be sent to the applicant.
LIABILITY
In the case of loss or serious damage to exhibition equipment, the Festival is not obligated to replacement of said equipment.
CONSENT
Participation in the Vancouver International Film Festival implies understanding and acceptance of these regulations.
Vancouver International Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.
The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.
The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless Vancouver International Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
1181 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 3M7
Canada