The annual Vancouver International Film Festival is a showcase of exceptional cinema in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. In 2024, VIFF will present approximately 130 features and 100 shorts and expand the frame with talks, creative development opportunities, performances, and other unique events that celebrate film and film culture.

VIFF's 2023 edition screened cinema from 70 countries and offered Vancouver audiences the opportunity to experience 28 world premieres, 12 international premieres, 33 North American premieres and 56 Canadian premieres.

FILM PROGRAMMING SERIES

Galas & Special Presentations: Highly anticipated films screening in our marquee venue.

Showcase: Exceptional films by revered directors, major award winners, and work that's very much of the moment.

Panorama: An array of remarkable narrative films from every corner of the globe.

Vanguard: Rising international talents bring their singular visions to the screen.

Northern Lights: The next wave of Canadian and Indigenous storytellers.

Insights: Documentaries that change the way we see the world.

Spectrum: A collection of innovative nonfiction filmmaking.

Portraits: A kaleidoscope of ground-breaking artists, great performances, and cultural icons.

Altered States: This is where the wild ones come out to play.

VIFF Short Forum: The perspectives and approaches that are elevating short-form storytelling

MODES: International short works that explore how far the form of cinema is capable of bending.

(These series are subject to change).

At the 2023 edition, VIFF presented the following awards:

Best Canadian Film Award
$15,000 award presented by the Directors Guild of Canada.

Best Canadian Documentary Award
$15,000 award presented by the Rogers Group of Funds.

Vanguard Award
$5,000 award presented by the Lochmaddy Foundation.

Emerging Canadian Director Award
$3,000 award presented by the Directors Guild of Canada.

Best BC Film Award
$10,000 award from Creative BC and $15,000 in post-production services credit supplied by Company 3.

Best Canadian Short Film Award
$2,000 cash prize presented by VIFF.

2024 RULES & TERMS FOR FILMS

ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
1) Submitted feature films must not have been broadcast, distributed on VOD/home video, or screened in-person either at another festival or theatrically in the Vancouver area. Submitted short films must not have been broadcast, or screened in-person either at another festival or theatrically in the Vancouver area.
2) Submissions should have been completed after June 1, 2023.
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.

PRESENTATION
Accepted feature films can be exhibited theatrically on DCP. The dates, times, and locations of screenings of selected films is at the discretion of the festival.

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.

LIABILITY
In the case of loss or serious damage to a DCP, the obligation of the Festival is limited to compensating the producer or distributor only to the cost of making a new print or DCP.

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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sarah Brannan

    We were so honored to have our film screened at VIFF, and it was a wonderful experience! The VIFF team really went out of their way to keep us informed, support our attendees, and make our screenings as memorable as possible. Thank you VIFF Team!

    October 2023
  • VIFF is amazing. So well organized, such a great curation of films but also networking and professional development events. I cannot recommend this festival enough, and we also had such great audiences for both screenings of "Les Filles du Roi"! Miigwetch!

    October 2023
  • Rajni Basumatary

    It gave me and my team immense joy that VIFF included our film, 'Gorai Phakhri' ('Wild Swans') in the 2023 edition and that this festival happened to be where we had our World Premiere. Although we couldn't attend the festival in person the communication by everyone in the festival team was so smooth that I felt I was there in person. Our film had two screenings in the festival. It was well publicised and I was told, both our screenings were near houseful. I received appreciative, uplifting messages on my social medial handles from random people who were part of the audience.

    October 2023
  • VIFF was a top tier festival. Very well organized, curated and full of well atteneded events, panels, and parties. The VIFF building was a very nice screening experience and the most comfortable theatre seats ever. Was very honored to have premiered my short there! The staff was very communicative and supportive throughout my stay. As an out of town guest , i found it very easy to plan my routes to and from screenings and events. I will 100% be submitting again and recommending the fest to anyone!

    October 2023
  • I wasn't able to attend in person however I felt so engaged with their communication. What a fantastic festival - their social media game is super on point. I felt like I was there. It's such an honour to get the official selection Laurel. Thanks or having me team VIFF.

    October 2023