VIFF Talks

VIFF Talks feature an array of seasoned industry professionals and emerging talent eager to share expertise on their craft.

From creators and showrunners to directors, writers, producers and craftspeople, Creator Talks draw from a finely curated group of key creatives. Whether they're responsible for critically acclaimed films or groundbreaking TV series, they provide a treasure trove of information and inspiration for fellow creators, filmmakers, industry professionals, and, of course, fans of their work.

Expanding the frame of our tentpole Totally Indie Day event, the year-round Indie Spirit Talks celebrate bold independent filmmaking and are intended for the next generation of filmmakers. Detailing how influential directors guide their ambitious projects from the page to the screen, these sessions offer the next generation of storytellers insights into how to employ both vision and resourcefulness.

Upcoming Livestream Talks

Now Streaming on VIFF Connect

Missed out on a livestream talk? Catch up on the recording on VIFF Connect.

Indie Spirits: Emma Seligman, writer/director, Shiva Baby

VIFF Connect - Virtual Cinema

Shiva Baby, Emma Seligman's feature debut, is a darkly comic, utterly chaotic coming-of-age story. Trapped between her parents, sugar daddy and ex-girlfriend at a funeral, Danielle is left to grapple with issues around sex, family, Jewish tradition and independence. An audience favourite at several major festivals, the film has particularly struck a chord with young queer women. We discussed Emma's process of orchestrating claustrophobic comedy while creating space for representation on screen.

Book Tickets

With a VIFF+ Connect Monthly, Silver or Gold Membership, you get free access to the recordings of conversations with some of the best creators and storytellers in the business, including Academy Award-winning screenwriter, Charlie Kaufman (Director, I'm Thinking of Ending Things), Tracey Deer (Director, Beans), Watchmen cinematographer Greg Middleton and director Stephen Williams, Tony McNamara (Creator, The Great) and Alena Smith (Creator, Dickinson), plus a host of Q&A conversations with the cast and crew behind the films of VIFF 2020.

Hot tip: VIFF+ Connect Members also get free access to live-streamed VIFF Talks taking place in our year-round program.