VIFF 2025
The wait is over! We are excited to share with you the stellar line-up for the 44th Vancouver International Film Festival, October 2 – 12. Over 170 films, 80 shorts, VIFF Live performances, Talks and special events will light up the screens and stages across Vancouver. Take a moment, explore the program and get ready to VIFF!
Today's Highlights
Franz
Oct 7 & 11
Dir. Agnieszka Holland
“A ludic, kaleidoscopic montage film that flits like a fevered mind around the subject’s life and beyond, leaping decades with a single cut.” – Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter
In the Room
Oct 7 & 10
Dir. Brishkay Ahmed
Powerful, urgent, and informative, this documentary reminds us that human rights are fragile and must be fiercely protected.
Remaining Native
Oct 7 & 8
Dir. Paige Bethmann
“One of the best running films of 2025.” – Lisa Jhung, Outside
Special Jury Prize, Audience Award, SXSW 2025
Tape
Oct 7, 8 & 10
Dir. Bizhan Tong
This razor-sharp drama mixes three characters, a secret from their past, and one small apartment into an explosive concoction. Tape is provocative in its #MeToo politics and stirs the heart with its depiction of personal pain.
Two Prosecutors
Oct 7
Dir. Sergei Loznitsa
“An icy chill of fear and justified paranoia radiates from this starkly austere and gripping movie from [director] Sergei Loznitsa.” – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
© SBS Productions
The Nonsense
Oct 7
Dir. Lee Je-hui
Insurance investigator Yoo-na is working a case of death by drowning; her company claims suicide, but the truth is unclear. Confronting an eccentric beneficiary with great powers of persuasion, Yoo-na finds herself in a fog of doubt and suspicion.
Ticket Release
A limited number of tickets will be releasing at noon today for these popular films:*
*Tickets will be available online or by phone only.
Special Tip
Is the movie you want to see on Standby? Check the VIFF Daily emails or this page every morning for seats to your most-wanted films! More tickets may become available throughout the Festival.
Add These Films to Your Watchlist!
See something you’re interested in? Log into your VIFF account and click the heart icon to add it to your personal watchlist!
WTO/99
An immersive account of 1999’s Battle of Seattle, arranged from thousands of hours of found footage, as nonviolent protests against the WTO were met with police brutality, anticipating present-day American politics, injustice, and consolidation of power.
Remaining Native
Teenager Ku Stevens runs toward his dreams while retracing the path of his great-grandfather’s escape from an "Indian boarding school". An impressive, urgent debut from Paige Bethmann about memory, endurance, and what it truly means to remain Native.
Khartoum
Displaced by war, five exiles of Sudan’s capital give voice to their experiences through reenactment, animation, and recollection. Khartoum is a lyrical, collaborative documentary about survival, exile, and the enduring pulse of a fractured city.
Now Playing
The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes
A beautiful portrait of E.J. Hughes, who quietly helped reshape the artistic landscape of British Columbia in the 20th century. This extraordinary documentary explores Hughes’s legacy not only as an artist, but as a devoted, humble human being.
I Am Revathi
I Am Revathi offers a deeply personal and intimate glimpse into the life of A. Revathi — trans woman, writer, activist, and theatre artist — amidst the struggles, power, and ongoing fight for dignity and inclusion faced by transgender people in India.
John Candy: I Like Me
A Canadian icon who defined a generation of comedy, John Candy's presence still looms large in the hearts of fans decades after his tragic death. This documentary is a hilarious, heartwarming celebration of Candy’s generous spirit and singular talent.
Blue Moon
On the night of March 31, 1943, famed lyricist Lorenz Hart holds court at Broadway's iconic Sardi’s bar. While his former collaborator, Richard Rodgers, celebrates the success of his new musical, Oklahoma!, Hart confronts his own shattered present.
VIFF Live
Live performances that push the boundaries of traditional film programming, intersecting cinema culture with music, comedy, podcasting, and performance in unique, cinema-infused live shows.
Julianna Barwick and loscil
Acclaimed ambient, experimental musicians Julianna Barwick and loscil share the stage for the first time to immerse audiences in their ethereal soundscapes and hypnotic new live AV performances.
Wilfred Buck's Star Stories Live With Wilfred Buck and Lisa Jackson
Join renowned Ininew (Cree) astronomer, star knowledge keeper, and author Wilfred Buck for Star Stories: a cosmic journey into teachings and tellings of the northern night sky, narrated live by Buck, and in conversation with co-director Lisa Jackson.
Image: Courtesy of Door Number 3 Productions
Closing Gala: Köln 75 With Live Performance by Chris Gestrin
Experience the transcendent power of music: Vancouver pianist Chris Gestrin performs a set of Keith Jarrett-inspired music to accompany Köln 75, which tells the story of Jarrett’s iconic concert, which became the best-selling solo album in jazz history.
VIFF Talks
The world’s leading creators share expertise on their craft.
Visual Architect: Frederick Elmes on Four Decades of Cinematic Collaboration
Legendary cinematographer Frederick Elmes has spent decades helping to define the visual language of directors like David Lynch and Jim Jarmusch. Don't miss this opportunity to hear about the craft behind some of cinema’s most unforgettable moments.
Image: © Vague Notion
Choreographed Chaos: Ramon and Silvan Zürcher on Domestic Surrealism and Cinematic Precision
Employing collaboration and a shared vision, Ramon and Silvan Zürcher create meticulously observed, drolly absurd dramas that transform domestic spaces into surreal landscapes.
Image: © Iris Janke
From Intimate to Infinite With Writer, Creator Jenny Lumet
From Rachel Getting Married to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Jenny Lumet is a master storyteller. She's forged a unique path, building a career that champions diverse voices and crafts deeply human stories. Join us as she shares her journey.
Making It Happen With Jeremy Dawson, Producer: From Aronofsky to Anderson
From title designer to award-winning producer, Jeremy Dawson has played a role in some of your favourite movies. Join us to hear about his journey through cinema and his collaborations with filmmaking giants like Wes Anderson and Darren Aronofsky.
Bringing Monsters to Life With VFX Supervisor Dennis Berardi, Frankenstein
While classic creatures remain timeless, modern audiences demand something that feels authentically alive. VFX supervisor Dennis Berardi (Frankenstein, The Shape of Water) is a master of balancing practical artistry with digital innovation.
Building the Extraordinary With Marcus Rowland, Production Designer, The Running Man
An engaging conversation with Marcus Rowland as he takes us behind the scenes of his creative process, revealing how he builds these unforgettable worlds and navigates the collaborative art of bringing impossible visions to life on screen.
Explore VIFF's Year-Round Series
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