The annual Vancouver International Film Festival is a showcase of exceptional cinema in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. In 2023, VIFF will present approximately 120 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 2022 edition screened cinema from 75 countries and offered Vancouver audiences the opportunity to experience 34 world premieres, 8 international premieres, 42 North American premieres and 56 Canadian premieres. Furthermore, almost half of our program’s full-length films were a director’s first feature.

Events included An Evening with Michael Abels (composer for Nope), with the participation of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the live score NOSFERATU 100 by BIG KILL: A Symphony of Horror. Insightful talks were held with Costume Designer Deborah L. Scott (Avatar: Way of Water), Production Designer Katie Byron (Don’t Worry Darling), and Director Clement Virgo (Brother).

Signals offered a unique interactive exhibition exploring creative technology’s potential in storytelling, while VIFF Amp invited musicians and composers to learn about the opportunities that arise when music and visual media intersect. Two days of industry panels were augmented by creative development opportunities like VIFF Labs and the VIFF Catalyst mentorship program.

FILM PROGRAMMING SERIES

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

Showcase: Exceptional cinema that will resonate strongly with VIFF audiences.

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 in Canada.

International Shorts: In only minutes, these films immerse you in fully realized narratives that leave a 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

At the 2022 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 and $5,000 equipment credit supplied by William F. White International Inc..

Rules & Terms

2023 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, 2022.
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.
24 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Golden Delicious Film

    We had an amazing experience premiering our first feature here. The staff was genuinely invested in our experience and the festival had a lot to offer in terms of events, panels, and hospitality. Excellent festival.

    October 2022
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  • Jack Parker

    Terrific staff, venues, events, and programming.

    October 2022
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  • Beth Warrian

    Absolutely loved my first time as a guest for VIFF. So much to do and see but intimate and accessible enough that it was very easy to connect with filmmakers and programmers from every part of the festival. The correspondence leading up to the event was very clear and responsive, and the coordinator and programmer for our section were incredibly welcoming and down to earth (while also being impeccably organized). Sincere thanks, and I hope to return again soon!

    October 2022
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  • Laurent Bilodeau

    We loved experiencing the international premiere of our film in distribution , RESTE at VIFF.
    Beforehand, we had a lot of discussions with the team who were very responsive to our questions.
    On site, Ginger (the filmmaker) loved her stay and her overall experience.
    We would have appreciated a little accommodation for Ginger's stay but understand that this is not possible for all short filmmakers.

    October 2022
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  • Ashleigh Vaillancourt

    A great festival experience. Very honoured to have participated. I saw many wonderful films, and met many talented filmmakers.

    October 2022
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