VANCOUVER, BC Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) presents its 43rd edition later this month.
Showcasing 150 features (including more than 70 premieres) and 81 shorts, VIFF 2024 is a festival of unrepeatable experiences. Symphonic special events and VIFF Live will provide Vancouver audiences with unique performances that have never been seen before and are unlikely to ever be seen again.
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Audiences can also look forward to VIFF Live, which pushes the boundaries of traditional film festival programming by intersecting cinema culture with music in unique live shows. VIFF Talks bring together industry leaders who share insights into some of today’s most popular and acclaimed films and series. VIFF’s Industry program celebrates the creative disruptors shifting culture and cinema, while VIFF Amp examines the essential role of music in film, laying the groundwork to foster new talent and nurturing connections between composers and directors. Signals, co-presented by VIFF and DigiBC, explores how new creative technologies are generating uncharted opportunities for storytelling.
“VIFF is an overflowing, multidimensional, full-tilt celebration of film and film culture,” says Kyle Fostner, Executive Director. “We’re very excited to share this year’s expansive and sensorially rich program with Vancouver. From an extraordinary film lineup to our unique series of live performances, nurturing artist and industry development programs to the cutting-edge storytelling happening in creative technology, VIFF is a platform for diverse voices and artistic visionaries. Whether you're looking to discover emerging talent, to become part of the cultural conversation, or are just here to feel the warm glow of cinema, VIFF truly has something for everyone.”
VIFF Board Chair Am Johal adds: “VIFF is brought together each year by the passion, dedication, and incredible efforts of the staff and volunteers. We’re excited to welcome everyone back into cinemas this fall.”
Tickets are on sale now to VIFF+ Members at viff.org, and on sale to the public from Aug. 29 at 12pm (noon). Single tickets are $19 for regular screenings and Special Presentations. Ticket packs are available in six and 10 packs. VIFF+ Members enjoy discounts on all VIFF tickets and the free U25 membership offers further discounts to youth between 19 and 25 years of age.
For complete VIFF 2024 programming, including talks and events, click HERE.
Tickets and Information
Adult Ticket $19
Senior Ticket $17
Student/Youth $14
Accessible $14
VIFF+ Members $16
VIFF+ Premium/Patron/U25 $14
Ticket Pack of 6 $108 / $94 VIFF+ / $86 Premium/Patron/U25
Ticket Pack of 10 $170 / $150 VIFF+ / $136 Premium/Patron/U25
Student 6 Pack $78
Senior 6 Pack $96
Senior 10 Pack $155
Festival Pass $425
Platinum Pass $1,200
Artist & Industry Pass $175
Artist & Industry Premium Pass $425
VIFF Talks $25
VIFF Live Tickets $16–60
Signals $35 plus fees and taxes
VIFF 2024 FILMS
OPENING FILM: Ari's Theme dirs. Nathan Drillot, Jeff Lee Petry (Canada) | BC Feature
CLOSING FILM: Emilia Pérez dir. Jacques Audiard (France)
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: The year’s most anticipated films
All We Imagine as Light dir. Payal Kapadia (France/India/Netherlands/Luxembourg)
Anora dir. Sean Baker (USA)
Bird dir. Andrea Arnold (UK/USA/France/Germany)
Can I Get a Witness? dir. Ann Marie Fleming (Canada) | BC Feature
Conclave dir. Edward Berger (USA/UK)
The End dir. Joshua Oppenheimer (Denmark/Germany/Ireland/Italy/UK/Sweden)
The Girl With the Needle dir. Magnus von Horn (Denmark/Poland/Sweden)
I’m Still Here dir. Walter Salles (Brazil/France)
My Favourite Cake dirs. Maryam Moghaddam, Behtash Sanaeeha (Iran/France/Sweden/Germany)
Nightbitch dir. Marielle Heller (USA)
The Piano Lesson dir. Malcolm Washington (USA)
Rumours dirs. Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson (Canada/Germany)
The Seed of the Sacred Fig dir. Mohammad Rasoulof (Iran/France/Germany)
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal dir. Mike Downie (Canada)
SHOWCASE: A selection of exceptional cinema
Black Dog dir. Guan Hu (China)
Blue Sun Palace dir. Constance Tsang (USA) | North American Premiere
Caught by the Tides dir. Jia Zhang-Ke (China)
Dahomey dir. Mati Diop (France/Senegal/Benin)
A Different Man dir. Aaron Schimberg (USA)
Dying dir. Matthias Glasner (Germany) | North American Premiere
Flow dir. Gints Zilbalodis (Latvia/France/Belgium)
Gloria! dir. Margherita Vicario (Italy/Switzerland) | Canadian Premiere
Grand Tour dir. Miguel Gomes (Portugal/Italy/France)
Happyend dir. Neo Sora (Japan/USA)
Matt and Mara dir. Kazik Radwanski (Canada)
No Other Land dir. Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor (Palestine/Norway)
Paying For It dir. Sook-Yin Lee (Canada)
Secret Mall Apartment dir. Jeremy Workman (USA)
Sharp Corner dir. Jason Buxton (Canada/Ireland)
Shepherds dir. Sophie Deraspe (Canada/France)
Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat dir. Johan Grimonprez (Belgium/France/Netherlands)
A Traveler's Needs dir. Hong Sangsoo (South Korea) | Canadian Premiere
Universal Language dir. Matthew Rankin (Canada)
PANORAMA: Narratives from every corner of the globe
The Antique dir. Rusudan Glurjidze (Georgia/Switzerland/Finland/Germany) | North American Premiere
Armand dir. Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel (Norway/Netherlands/Germany/Sweden) | Canadian Premiere
Black Tea dir. Abderrahmane Sissako (France/Mauritania/Luxembourg/Taiwan/Côte d'Ivoire) | North American
Premiere
Brief History of a Family dir. Lin Jianjie (China/France/Denmark/Qatar) | Canadian Premiere
Carnival Is Over dir. Fernando Coimbra (Brazil/Portugal)
Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point dir. Tyler Taormina (USA) | Canadian Premiere
Eephus dir. Carson Lund (USA/France) | Canadian Premiere
Fly Me to the Moon dir. Sasha Chuk (Hong Kong)
Ghost Trail dir. Jonathan Millet (France/Germany/Belgium) | North American Premiere
Hakki dir. Hikmet Kerem Özcan (Turkey)
Holy Cow dir. Louise Courvoisier (France) | North American Premiere
House of the Seasons dir. Oh Jung-min (South Korea) | North American Premiere
Julie Keeps Quiet dir. Leonardo van Dijl (Belgium/Sweden)
Living in Two Worlds dir. Mipo O (Japan) | North American Premiere
Love Lies dir. Ho Miu Ki (Hong Kong) | Canadian Premiere
Marco, the Invented Truth dirs. Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño (Spain) | North American Premiere
Measures for a Funeral dir. Sofia Bohdanowicz (Canada/Norway/UK)
Misericordia dir. Alain Guiraudie (France/Spain/Portugal)
Most People Die on Sundays dir. Iair Said (Argentina/Italy/Spain) | North American Premiere
The Mother and the Bear dir. Johnny Ma (Canada/Chile)
My Late Summer dir. Danis Tanović (Croatia/Bosnia and Herzegovina/Romania/Slovenia/Serbia) | International
Premiere
The New Year That Never Came dir. Bogdan Mureşanu (Romania) | North American Premiere
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl dir. Rungano Nyoni (Zambia/UK/Ireland)
Pierce dir. Nelicia Low (Singapore/Taiwan/Poland)
Reinas dir. Klaudia Reynicke (Peru/Switzerland/Spain)
Rosinante dir. Baran Gündüzalp (Turkey) | North American Premiere
Samia dir. Yasemin Şamdereli (Italy/Germany/Belgium)
Sex dir. Dag Johan Haugerud (Norway) | Canadian Premiere
Sleeping With a Tiger dir. Anja Salomonowitz (Austria) | Canadian Premiere
Solids by the Seashore dir. Patiparn Boontarig (Thailand) | Canadian Premiere
Souleymane's Story dir. Boris Lojkine (France)
The Sparrow in the Chimney dir. Ramon Zürcher (Switzerland) | North American Premiere
Super Happy Forever dir. Kohei Igarashi (Japan/France) | North American Premiere
To a Land Unknown dir. Mahdi Fleifel (UK/Germany/France/Greece/Netherlands)
Under the Volcano dir. Damian Kocur (Poland)
When We Lost to the Germans dir. Guido van Driel (Netherlands) | North American Premiere
Who by Fire dir. Philippe Lesage (Canada/France)
VANGUARD: Rising international talents
Presented by MUBI
78 Days dir. Emilija Gašić (Serbia) | North American Premiere
Familiar Touch dir. Sarah Friedland (USA) | North American Premiere
Hanami dir. Denise Fernandes (Switzerland/Portugal/Cape Verde) | International Premiere
I Saw Three Black Lights dir. Santiago Lozano Álvarez (Colombia/Mexico/France/Germany) | Canadian Premiere
Me, Maryam, the Children and 26 Others dir. Farshad Hashemi (Iran/Germany) | North American Premiere
Red Path dir. Lotfi Achour (Tunisia/France/Belgium/Poland) | North American Premiere
Shambhala dir. Min Bahadur Bham (Nepal/France/Norway/Turkey/Hong Kong/Taiwan/USA/Qatar) | North
American Premiere
Toxic dir. Saulė Bliuvaitė (Lithuania) | North American Premiere
NORTHERN LIGHTS: The next wave of Canadian and Indigenous storytellers
Presented by Telefilm Canada
7 Beats per Minute dir. Yuqi Kang (Canada)
Bonjour Tristesse dir. Durga Chew-Bose (Canada/Germany)
Cat's Cry dir. Sanja Živković (Canada/Serbia/Croatia) | World Premiere
Cherub dir. Devin Shears (Canada) | World Premiere
The Heirloom dir. Ben Petrie (Canada) | Canadian Premiere
Inay (Mama) dir. Thea Loo (Canada/Philippines) | BC Feature | Canadian Premiere
Inedia dir. Liz Cairns (Canada) | BC Feature | World Premiere
Living Together dir. Halima Elkhatabi (Canada)
Lucky Star dir. Gillian McKercher (Canada)
Mongrels dir. Jerome Yoo (Canada) | BC Feature | World Premiere
Preface to a History dirs. Devan Scott, Willa Harlow Ross (Canada) | BC Feature | World Premiere
Seeds dir. Kaniehtiio Horn (Canada)
Shook dir. Amar Wala (Canada)
The Stand dir. Christopher Auchter (Canada) | BC Feature | World Premiere
There, There dir. Heather Young (Canada) | World Premiere
Village Keeper dir. Karen Chapman (Canada)
LEADING LIGHTS: Celebrated Canadian filmmaker Zarrar Kahn curates a selection of international films that influenced his artistic journey
Supported by the Directors Guild Of Canada
The Big City dir. Satyajit Ray (India)
Hyenas dir. Djibril Diop Mambéty (Switzerland/France/Senegal)
Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion dir. Elio Petri (Italy)
Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts dir. Mouly Surya (Indonesia/France/Malaysia/Thailand)
FOCUS: WOMEN, LIFE, AND FREEDOM: Guest programmers Ogheneofegor Obuwoma and Kika Memeh embark on a thematic exploration using cinema as their guide
Coconut Head Generation dir. Alain Kassandra (France/Nigeria)
Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) dirs. Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri (Nigeria)
Félicité dir. Alain Gomis (France/Senegal/Belgium/Germany/Lebanon)
Ouaga Girls dir. Theresa Traore Dahlberg (Sweden/Burkina Faso/France/Qatar)
Rafiki dir. Wanuri Kahiu (Kenya)
Tooth for Tooth dir. Ottis Ba (Senegal/Belgium/France/Rwanda) | Canadian Premiere
INSIGHTS: Documentaries that change the way we see the world
At Averroes & Rosa Parks dir. Nicolas Philibert (France) | North American Premiere
Balomania dir. Sissel Morell Dargis (Denmark/Spain) | North American Premiere
Blink dirs. Edmund Stenson, Daniel Roher (USA/Canada) | Canadian Premiere
The Chef & the Daruma dir. Mads K. Baekkevold (Canada) | BC Feature | World Premiere
Curl Power dir. Josephine Anderson (Canada) | BC Feature
Democracy Noir dir. Connie Field (USA/Denmark) | Canadian Premiere
Fish War dirs. Jeff Ostenson, Charles Atkinson, Skylar Wagner (USA) | International Premiere
Living With Wolves dir. Jean-Michel Bertrand (France) | Canadian Premiere
Ninan Auassat:We, The Children dir. Kim O’Bomsawin (Canada) | World Premiere
Searching for Amani dirs. Nicole Gormley, Debra Aroko (USA/Kenya)
The Thinking Game dir. Greg Kohs (USA) | Canadian Premiere
Unlikely Allies dir. Anthony Pedone (USA) | International Premiere
SPECTRUM: Innovative nonfiction filmmaking
*smiles and kisses you* dir. Bryan Carberry (USA) | North American Premiere
Apple Cider Vinegar dir. Sofie Benoot (Belgium/Netherlands) | Canadian Premiere
Grand Theft Hamlet dirs. Pinny Grylls, Sam Crane (UK)
The In Between dir. Robie Flores (USA) | Canadian Premiere
It’s Not Me dir. Leos Carax (France)
Listen to the Voices dir. Maxime Jean-Baptiste (Guyana/Belgium/France) | North American Premiere
Pepe dir. Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias (Dominican Republic/Namibia/Germany/France)
Realm of Satan dir. Scott Cummings (USA) | Canadian Premiere
The Universe in a Grain of Sand dir. Mark A. Levinson (USA) | North American Premiere
PORTRAITS: A kaleidoscope of ground-breaking artists, great performances, and cultural icons
Presented by the Audain Foundation
Disco’s Revenge dirs. Omar Majeed, Peter Mishara (Canada)
Draw Me Egypt: Doaa El-Adl, a Stroke of Freedom dir. Nada Riyadh (Belgium/France/Luxembourg)
Preceded by: Facing the Storm: The Indigenous Response to Climate Change (Episode 1: Mazaska Talks) dir.
Mikayla Gingrey (USA) and The Smallest Power dir. Andy Sarjahani (Iran)
Googoosh - Made of Fire dir. Niloufar Taghizadeh (Germany) | North American Premiere
John Singer Sargent: Fashion & Swagger dir. David Bickerstaff (UK) | Canadian Premiere
Luther: Never Too Much dir. Dawn Porter (USA)
Modernism, Inc. dir. Jason Cohn (USA)
Pol Pot Dancing dir. Enrique Sánchez Lansch (Germany/Norway) | North American Premiere
So Surreal: Behind the Masks dirs. Neil Diamond, Joanne Robertson (Canada)
A Stranger Quest dir. Andrea Gatopoulos (Italy/USA/Canada) | Canadian Premiere
A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things dir. Mark Cousins (UK) | Canadian Premiere
Uncropped dir. D.W. Young (USA) | Canadian Premiere
Viva Niki - The Spirit of Niki de Saint Phalle dir. Michiko Matsumoto (Japan) | World Premiere
ALTERED STATES: Where the wild ones come out to play
40 Acres dir. R.T. Thorne (Canada)
Dream Team dirs. Lev Kalman, Whitney Horn (USA) | Canadian Premiere
Else dir. Thibault Emin (France/Belgium)
Fréwaka dir. Aislinn Clarke (Ireland) | Canadian Premiere
Párvulos dir. Isaac Ezban (Mexico)
Presence dir. Steven Soderbergh (USA)
Rita dir. Jayro Bustamante (Guatemala)
Rock Bottom dir. María Trénor (Spain/Poland) | North American Premiere
She Loved Blossoms More dir. Yannis Veslemes (Greece/France) | Canadian Premiere
Timestalker dir. Alice Lowe (UK)
VIFF SHORT FORUM AND SHORT FUSE: Short-form storytellers from Canada and beyond
Supported by Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada and NOVUS
Almost the Dust dir. Léa Soler (Mexico) | World Premiere
Beeps dir. Kirk Johnson (USA) | Canadian Premiere
The Boys and the Donkey dir. Tsering Yangjyab (China) | Canadian Premiere
Bright White Light dirs. Henna Välkky, Eesu Lehtola (Finland) | Canadian Premiere
Candle dir. Jérémi Roy (Canada) | North American Premiere
Chuff Chuff Chuff dir. Chao Koi Wang (Taiwan) | Canadian Premiere
Colors Under the Streetlights dir. Yoshimi Joya (Japan) | International Premiere
Creatures of Light dir. Sylvie Weber (Mexico) | World Premiere
Culture Shock dir. Barry Bilinsky (Canada)
Dadá dir. Luisa Arraes (Brazil) | International Premiere
Dark Matter dir. Leo Berkeley (Australia) | World Premiere
Darker dir. Matazi Weathers (USA) |
The Death of James dir. Sam Chou (Canada) | World Premiere
Delta Dawn dir. Asia Youngman (Canada) | BC Feature | World Premiere
Discoteque dir. Masashi Yamamoto (USA) | Canadian Premiere
Dokra Keu Bojhey Na dirs. Sneha Das, Monjima Mullick (India) | Canadian Premiere
The Egg dir. Vahan Grigoryan (Armenia) | Canadian Premiere
The Everlasting Pea dir. Su Rynard (Canada)
Explosions Near the Museum dirs. Roman Khimei, Yarema Malashchuk (Ukraine) | International Premiere
Fishmonger dir. Neil Ferron (USA)
Gate 3 to 14 dir. Karen Abou Jaoudeh (Lebanon) | World Premiere
Get Thee on the Dance Floor dir. Hyun Hahn (South Korea) | International Premiere
Grizzly Bear Country dir. Mave Ky (Canada) | World Premiere
Hatch dirs. Alireza Kazemipour, Panta Mosleh (Canada) | BC Feature | World Premiere
If the Sun Drowned Into an Ocean of Clouds dir. Wissam Charaf (France/Lebanon)
Inkwo: For When the Starving Return dir. Amanda Strong (Canada) | BC Feature
Jane’s in the Freezer dir. Caleb Joye (USA) | World Premiere
Judas Icarus Twists His Wrist dir. Kerr Holden (Canada) | BC Feature | World Premiere
Judy's Garden dir. Evie Metz (USA) | International Premiere
Julian and the Wind dir. Connor Jessup (Canada)
Like a Spiral dir. Lamia Chraibi (Canada) | World Premiere
Losing Your Home dir. Emmanuel Rioux (Canada)
Magic Candies dir. Daisuke Nishio (Japan) | Canadian Premiere
Mermaids dir. Sarah Malléon (Martinique)
Minus Plus Multiply dir. Chu-Chieh Lee (UK)
Morî dir. Yakup Tekintangaç (Turkey) | North American Premiere
The Moving Garden dir. Inês Lima (Portugal) | North American Premiere
My Dog is Dead dirs. Tasuku Matsunaga, Takehiro Senda (Japan) | World Premiere
The Mysterious Adventures of Claude Conseil dirs. Marie-Lola Terver, Paul Jousselin (France)
Nemo 1 dir. Albéric Aurtenèche (Canada) | World Premiere
Nietzschean Suicide dir. Payam Kurdistani (Iran) | Canadian Premiere
On Plains Of Larger River & Woodlands dir. Miguel de Jesus (Australia/Portugal) | North American Premiere
One Day This Kid dir. Alexander Fara (Canada) | BC Feature
Organza’s Revenge dir. Walter Scott (Canada) | World Premiere
The Painting dir. Michèle Lemieux (Canada)
Palestine Islands dirs. Nour Ben Salem, Julien Menanteau (France/Jordan)
Pena's Special Hauling dir. Anssi Kasitonni (Finland) | Canadian Premiere
Retracing Their Steps dir. Manuel Orhy Piron (Canada)
The Return dir. Laissa Malih (Kenya)
Salem on the Road dir. Étienne Galloy (Canada) | World Premiere
Sauna Day dirs. Anna Hints, Tushar Prakash (Estonia)
Save My Soul dir. Kam Fai Leung (Hong Kong) | Canadian Premiere
Shadow dir. Kamell Allaway (USA) | Canadian Premiere
Shoes and Hooves dir. Viktória Traub (Hungary) | North American Premiere
Soap Box dir. Jimmy G. Pettigrew (Canada) World Premiere
Strawberry Shortcake dir. Deborah Devyn Chuang (Taiwan) | World Premiere
Stuffed dir. Louise Labrousse (France) North American Premiere
The Sweater dir. Maziyar Khatam (Canada)
Tayal Forest Club dir. Laha Mebow (Taiwan)
Three Birds dir. Zarja Menart(Slovenia/Croatia)
Time Space Love dir. Marie-Louise Gariépy (Canada)
Time to Dilate dir. Kim Nayoung (South Korea) | World Premiere
Uncommon Ground dir. Faith Sparrow-Crawford (Canada) | BC Feature | Canadian Premiere
We Deserve an Empire dir. Mauricio Maldonado (Colombia) | North American Premiere
When the Wind Rises dir. Hung Chen (Taiwan) | North American Premiere
The Widow's Son Turns Storyteller dir. Shiker Pal (India) | International Premiere
You Can’t Get What You Want but You Can Get Me dirs. Samira Elagoz, Z Walsh (Netherlands/Finland)
Zanatany, When Soulless Shrouds Whisper dir. Hachimiya Ahamada (Belgium/France/Qatar) | Canadian
Premiere
Zoé dir. Rémi St-Michel (Canada) | Canadian Premiere
MODES: Form-bending international short work
MODES 1
The Cavalry dir. Alina Orlov (Canada/USA/Israel) | North American Premiere
The Diary of a Sky dir. Lawrence Abu Hamdan (Lebanon)
Flowers dir. José Cardoso (Ecuador/South Africa) | North American Premiere
Man Number 4 dir. Miranda Pennell (UK) | North American Premiere
MODES 2
Dreams Like Paper Boats dir. Samuel Suffren (Haiti) | Canadian Premiere
Freak dir. Claire Barnett (USA) | North American Premiere
Grandmamauntsistercat dir. Zuza Banasinska (Poland) | Canadian Premiere
Razeh-del dir. Maryam Tafakory (Iran/UK/Italy) | Canadian Premiere
She Stays dir. Marinthia Gutiérrez (Mexico) | North American Premiere
We Were No Desert dirs. Agustina Comedi, Chiachio & Giannone (Argentina) | North American Premiere
Live Events
VIFF Talks: Creators and innovators share expertise on their craft
Supported by Creative BC
VIFF Talks connects fans of film culture with the brilliant minds behind the work they love. The 2024 lineup features expertly moderated conversations with experts from directors, writers, producers, and craftspeople celebrated for their outstanding contributions to groundbreaking film and television.
Methods to Madness: Longlegs’ Osgood Perkins | Saturday, Sept. 28, 6pm
Venue: Rio Theatre
Price: $25
In this lively VIFF Talk, Osgood Perkins delves into the dark secrets of Longlegs’ success. Expect some welcome candour as he discusses borrowing from his influences to create familiar narrative constructs, while retaining enough freedom to explore the themes that fascinate him as storyteller. This deep dive will illustrate his creative process of amassing narrative connections, establishing thematic underpinnings, and assembling a group of collaborators who can make it all a nightmarish reality.
Making It Epic with Production Designer Colin Gibson | Sunday, Sept. 29, 6:30pm
Venue: VIFF Centre - Vancity Theatre
Price: $25
Academy Award winning production designer Colin Gibson has been the architect of the end of the world. George Miller’s go-to guy for two decades now, he’s credited for creating the look and feel of Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, as well as such iconic Australian films such as The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Babe: Pig in the City. It's undeniable that Gibson has it in him to make it epic. Join us for a dynamic conversation with Gibson as he takes us through his craft and the process of collaboration in creating these unforgettable worlds.
VIFF Live
VIFF Live, curated by Jarrett Martineau, is a series of performances and experiences that push the boundaries of traditional film festival programming, intersecting cinema culture with music, comedy, podcasting, and performance in unique, cinema-infused live shows.
Elisapie - Uvattini | Saturday, Sept. 28, 8pm
Venue: Chan Centre for Performing Arts
JUNO Award-winner Elisapie returns to the Chan Centre for an immersive multimedia show. Uvattini, which means “home” in Inuktitut, combines music, narration, video and performance to reveal the intimacies of her Salluit community, located in the very north of Nunavik. Mixing poetry with projections of landscapes and slices of life, she conveys the Inuit experience. This concert will give audiences Elisapie’s most personal offering yet — that of her own story. Mixing modernity with tradition, Elisapie is a trailblazing artist. Her 2018 album The Ballad of the Runaway Girl was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, earned her numerous Félix Awards, and resulted in a coveted NPR Tiny Desk concert. On her most recent Juno-winning album Inuktitut, she covers 10 classic rock and pop songs in her native tongue, inviting listeners to “embrace the beauty of diversity and celebrate the rich tapestry of the voices that make up our world” (APTN News).
Eno |A live performance screening and Q&A with director Gary Hustwit | Sunday, Sept. 29, 6:00pm
Venue: Vancouver Playhouse
Join us for the Vancouver premiere of Eno, the world’s first generative documentary, celebrating the visionary artist and musician Brian Eno. For this special event, the film will be created live in real time, and this version will never be seen again. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Gary Hustwit and special guests.
GIFT: A Film by Ryusuke Hamaguchi X Live Score by Eiko Ishibashi | Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7pm
Venue: Rio Theatre
Multi-instrumentalist and composer Eiko Ishibashi, who scored director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s Oscar-winning film Drive My Car (VIFF 2021) presents the Canadian Premiere of GIFT — a new silent film directed by Hamaguchi, and accompanied by a dynamic, live soundtrack performed by Ishibashi. Developed in collaboration with Hamaguchi’s latest feature film, Evil Does Not Exist (VIFF 2023), GIFT has been hailed as its “concentrated, wordless flipside” (Lincoln Centre). Using visual source material drawn from Evil Does Not Exist, Ishibashi’s live performance adds a dynamic layer to the cinematic experience of GIFT, by offering a vital recomposition of the relationship of sound to narrative, and composer to filmmaker.
William Basinski: Arcadia Archive | Wednesday, Oct. 2, 8pm
Venue: Rio Theatre
Acclaimed ambient and experimental composer William Basinski presents the Canadian premiere of Arcadia Archive — an immersive, transcendent live performance that combines music drawn from Basinski’s extensive archival work with 40+ year-old tape loops, and accompanied by a new “nocturnal video work” created by Basinski’s longtime partner collaborator, artist-filmmaker James Elaine.
Jeremy Dutcher & Alanis Obomsawin | Friday, Oct. 4, 8pm
Venue: Chan Centre for Performing Arts
Two of the most compelling voices in Indigenous music and cinema meet for an intimate, unique, and unforgettable evening of intergenerational story and song featuring award-winning Wolastoq tenor and composer Jeremy Dutcher and renowned Abenaki filmmaker and musician Alanis Obomsawin. Wolastoqiyik song carrier Jeremy Dutcher performs with his trio, blending songs from his community of Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick with neoclassical, jazz, and pop influences. Obomsawin, hailed as “one of the most acclaimed Indigenous directors in the world,” offers a rare live performance of Bush Lady, her acclaimed and only full-length album, originally released in 1988. Accompanied by an ensemble led by Montreal’s Radwan Moumneh, this will be only Obomsawin’s third performance of this music since Constellation Records remastered and re-released thealbum in 2018. Co-presented with the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, as part of the Chan EXP Series, in partnership with the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Special Event
An Evening with A.R. Rahman: Stories and Music from His Career | Saturday, Oct. 5, 8pm
Venue: Orpheum
For one night only, legendary two-time Oscar-winning composer and songwriter A.R. Rahman will join the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver International Film Festival for a special concert. In a custom made for Vancouver presentation, the international superstar will provide a keynote and performance with music spanning his legendary career composing for some of Hollywood and Bollywood’s biggest hits.
Reaching international acclaim in 2008 with his score for Slumdog Millionaire, Rahman’s works are notable for their seamless cultural integration of Eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres, and traditional orchestral arrangements. He will perform segments of his scores live with the VSO, with clips from the fan-favourite films projected on the Orpheum’s big screen. This event, presented by the VSO and VIFF, is part of an exciting new collaboration between the two organizations that celebrate the connection between music and film.
Co-presented with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Supported by Destination Vancouver and BMI.
Signals: Exploring Creative Technology’s Potential in Storytelling
Venue: The Signals Studio at The Centre for Digital Media
Presented by DigiBC and VIFF
Supported by Pacific Economic Development Canada, Creative BC, Invest Vancouver, and the Canada Media Fund. Signals Creative Tech Expo 2024 is set to be a pinnacle in the realm of creative technology, showcasing innovative storytelling across video games, XR (extended reality), virtual production, and AI. This year's expo, held from Sept. 27–Oct. 6, promises to delve deeper into themes that resonate with the current global socio-political climate, while continuing to celebrate the rich cultural narratives and technological advancements of Canadian and Indigenous artists. Programming at Signals 2024 includes:
Beta Lounge: Interactive Digital Media Conference | Sept. 27–28
An exclusive two-day event within the expo, tailored for high-level discussions and networking in the XR and gaming sectors. In collaboration with XP Gaming, the conference will support indie game producers and creators in understanding the essential aspects of the video game business, including funding, marketing, game design, and post-mortems.
FutureCraft: AI Symposium | Oct. 2–3
This symposium will highlight creatives who are experimenting with AI tools to amplify their storytelling. Through panels, artist features and special screenings, FutureCraft will explore the distinctions between disruptive technologies and innovation, focusing on empowering human creativity rather than replacing it.
Signals Exhibition | Sept. 29 & Oct. 2–3,5–6
The annual showcase of innovative storytelling in video games, immersive, virtual and augmented reality, virtual production and AI from top Canadian and Indigenous artists. During exhibition hours, audiences can step inside immersive digital worlds, test new video games, and connect to new artists and cultures by exploring the 20+ experiences at our newly transformed warehouse in False Creek Flats.
Learn more at signals.digibc.org
Artist and Industry Development
Nurturing the careers and practices of our local creatives, these programs support artists to refine and rethink their craft, making invaluable connections that can change the course of their lives.
This year, VIFF has made it even easier for all film and television industry professionals, regardless of their level, to get involved and experience VIFF’s Industry and Amp programs, with two passes available for purchase: the
Artist & Industry Pass and the Artist & Industry Premium Pass. Learn more at viff.org/industry.
VIFF Amp Music in Media Summit
Oct. 2–5 | Venues: Beaumont Studios, Birdhouse, The Warehouse Studio
Funded by Creative BC, FACTOR Canada, Music BC, and RBC Foundation
Supported by ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN and Songtradr
From composers to songwriters to music entrepreneurs, VIFF Amp nurtures, educates and champions music for media professionals. With a strong emphasis on supporting those from marginalized and underrepresented communities, the program connects participants with international experts, offering mentorship and career development opportunities. This year’s highlights include:
Creatives on The Spectrum
Producer, writer and educator Zhara Astra and renowned composer John Frizzell (Beavis & Butthead, King of The Hill) both identify as being on the spectrum. Zhara and John discuss how productive work environments can break stigmas and empower neurodivergent creatives.
Creating Successful Cross-Cultural Collaboration in Film and TV
Composer Dave Porter (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) worked closely with Indigenous director Sydney Freeland and musician Seth Fairchild from the Choctaw Nation to produce a stunning score for Marvel’s Echo. They discuss how they worked together to enhance the cultural legacy of a community.
The Art of Music Supervision in Animation
Music supervision for animation — be it film or television — has different requirements based on the specific storytelling needs of the genre. Three music supervisors share their insights.
UnShazamable
Award-winning music supervisor, composer, music entrepreneur and DJ Burt Blackarach explores his family’s iconic 60s and 70s music catalog in the hippest listening session imaginable.
The Art of Composition
Composer Mark Korven (The Witch) says his greatest fear is being boring. Find out how Mark carved his unique career arc and how he collaborates with maverick filmmakers like Robert Eggers while keeping his process fresh.
Music BC’s SOUNDOFF
BC’s most promising local musicians perform live in front of a panel of music supervisors at this special showcase.
Composer Filmmaker Accelerator
Three-time Emmy-nominated film and TV composer Miriam Cutler returns to curate this intensive, practical program focused on developing symphonic scores to picture. 12 talented composers will collaborate with four established filmmakers, including recording and mixing sessions at the renowned Warehouse Studios with the
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
VIFF Industry
Sept. 30–Oct. 4 | Venues: Beaumont Studios, Birdhouse, VIFF Centre
Supported by CMPA, ICG 669, Knowledge Network and UBCP/Actra
This year, VIFF’s Industry program celebrates the creative disruptors shifting culture and cinema. Through curated conversations, masterclasses, case studies and panel discussions we’ll spotlight rising talent, explore new genres, and hear from creative leaders behind critically acclaimed productions taking creative risks to push the boundaries of cinema. This year’s highlights include:
Redefining Genre Filmmaking
Black creatives discuss their approach to creating genre-bending cinema which showcases the breadth of Black horror, Black sci-fi, and Black fantasy films.
Disrupting Form in Documentary
Led by filmmakers using multimedia and hybrid genres to create compelling documentaries, this session explores new cinematic formats.
In Conversation with the DSO
An ask-me-anything panel with the Disability Screen Office.
Rethinking Documentary Marketing
How can documentary filmmakers bring greater visibility to their projects? Creative leaders share their strategies on harnessing social media to build community.
Books to Screen: Adapting Local IP
Discover how producers can option books from local authors as a creative pathway to greenlight.
Betting on Yourself: Short Form Edition
In a moderated talk celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ storytelling, two filmmakers discuss how they accelerated their own success through their breakout short-form series.
Gen Z On Set
Youth actors, from Bones of Crows to The Last of Us, take the mic alongside a kid's content producer in this moderated discussion about renewing set culture.
This session will have ASL interpretation.
Directing Breakthrough Television
How to make your mark on a hit TV series? A roundtable of prominent directors discuss.
VIFF Labs
Presented by Creative BC and Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada
VIFF Labs is an intimate, invitation-only series that empowers emerging local filmmakers through meaningful, direct dialogues with global talent. This year’s highlights include:
Reinventing the Slasher: The Slow Horror of In a Violent Nature
With Chris Nash, Director | Sept. 28
With static camera, long, locked-off wide shots and slow pans replacing the standard hectic horror visuals, director Chris Nash's bloody, breakout indie slasher, In a Violent Nature has become one of the most unique horror films of the year. A sequel is already in the works with Shudder and IFC Films. In this session, Nash, will take us through the process of writing and directing his debut feature which has been heralded as reinventing the slasher film.
From Novel to Screen: Adapting The Sympathizer
With Don McKellar, Writer & Showrunner | Sept. 28
From his work behind the camera on Last Night to The Red Violin, Don McKellar has been an essential voice in Canadian cinema for over three decades. His latest production adapts Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Sympathizer, to screen with director Park Chan-Wook. McKellar joins us to discuss his role as showrunner and writer of this prestige HBO project and the art of bringing a celebrated book to screen.
The Anatomy of Challengers
With Marco Costa, Editor | Oct. 1
Over the past several years, editor Marco Costa has become a constant collaborator of director Luca Guadagnino's. His credits include We Are Who We Are, Bones and All, Challengers and Guadagnino's upcoming film Queer. In this session, Costa will power up his Avid timeline on Challengers and walk us through his process as an editor, detailing some of his favorite moments in the film.
Designing Dystopia: The Production Design of Civil War
With Caty Maxey, Production Designer | Oct. 1
This summer, Civil War presented audiences with a disturbing look at a collapsing, war-torn America. Behind the chaos was Production Designer Caty Maxey. With a storied career as an art director and credits including Jurassic World and Jason Bourne, Maxey takes us through her production design process, the craft, and inspirations behind creating the look and feel of her most recent project, Civil Wa
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