The 24 edition of the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival will take place from September 10 - 20, 2026.

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 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.

Please note: Submission fees are quoted in US dollars.

VLAFF Awards:

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

- Youth Choice Award for Best New Director (first feature film, Ópera prima) - The Festival will provide an honorarium of $300 (CAD) to every film selected.

Can I submit a documentary? Yes!! VLAFF welcomes fiction, non-fiction, hybrid, and experimental films.

Can I submit a rough cut to the festival? Yes, but we will need to see the final version by May 31. 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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sebastian Carreras

    It was a true honor to take part in the festival among so many wonderful films.
    Many thanks to the entire festival team for their kindness and support — the work you do is truly important.
    Warm greetings from Argentina!

    November 2025
  • Otto Morales

    Excelente Festival! Muy orgulloso de haber participado con mi cortometraje “Exento” gracias por la oportunidad 🙏🏾

    October 2025
  • Amazing festival, so warm and vibrant. I was so honoured to be invited with La Cerrillana. There are several spaces to interact with other filmmakers and with the audience, which is always great for us, directors to learn and grow.

    September 2025
  • A beautiful festival and the entire team was very friendly from day one! Thank you for trusting us and sharing our work.

    September 2025
  • Pedro Ruiz

    Un festival avec une programmation merveilleuse, aussi chaleureux que le soleil du sud.
    ¡Bravo!

    September 2025