The 21st edition of the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival will take place from September 7 - 17, 2023, with submissions opening on February 1, 2023.

VLAFF is a charitable organization with the mission to exhibit and promote Latin American cinema in Canada. We showcase the works of both emerging and established independent filmmakers and media artists in a range of formats from fiction to experimental to documentary to hybrid narrative. We are dedicated to making space and supporting the works of underrepresented filmmakers.

In late August/early September each year, we present our annual 11-day festival to highlight and celebrate the art of contemporary Latin American, Latin-Canadian, and Indigenous filmmaking.

In addition, in the winter months we host an online Work in Progress/Cine en construcción for films nearing the post-production stage by Indigenous and Afro-descendant filmmakers or filmmaking collectives from the Latin American region.

Submissions for the 21st Vancouver Latin American Film Festival will be open from FEBRUARY 15 - APRIL 30, 2023. Please note: Submission fees are quoted in US dollars.

VLAFF Awards:

- Work in Progress Award for Black and Indigenous Filmmakers: $2500 (CAD)

- Best Short Film Award (fiction, animation, and documentary shorts) - $750 (CAD)

- Youth Choice Award for Best New Director (first feature film, Ópera prima) selected by students from Canadian and Latin American film schools - $2500 (CAD)

- Critics' Prize: Selected in a live deliberation by three film critics from Latin America.

Can I submit a documentary? Yes!! VLAFF welcomes fiction, non-fiction, hybrid, and experimental films, for both the annual festival and the Work in Progress forum.

Can I submit a rough cut to the festival? Yes, but we will need to see the final version by June 1. Also, as we are a smaller festival, you may want to try for a premiere at a larger festival and then submit to us the following year.

For 2023, films may be screened both online and in cinemas during the festival

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jesús Soria

    Good communication and some online networking events are the most valuable point for this festival (in my opinion)

    September 2022
  • Juan diego aguirre gómez

    Un gran festival que acogió nuestra película y un espacio para dar a conocer diferentes miradas del cine latinoamericano.

    September 2022
  • muchas gracias por la experiencia

    fue fenomenal

    September 2022
  • For me it is one of the best Independent film festivals. I feel fortunate to have participated, the entire festival team is well armed with very professional people who have a facility to communicate. Thank you very much for everything, my experience is very rewarding. Until the next

    Love and Respect

    Wisny Dorce

    December 2021
  • Maria Urrutia

    One of the best film festivals! I'm honored to have being part of it!

    December 2021