VANCOUVER, BC, The 44th Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) announces six official selections for this year’s edition, taking place Oct. 2–12, 2025. Available now, VIFF will launch VIFF+ Members’ Early Bird Day, which offers advance access to tickets a full day earlier than the general public. Regular festival passes, ticket packs, and VIFF Live tickets are on sale to everyone on Aug. 8 from 12pm.
The first features revealed for this year’s festival include the Canadian premieres of What Does That Nature Say to You, the latest by South Korean auteur Hong Sangsoo, and Dracula, an outrageous, AI-assisted portrait of the prince of darkness by Romanian provocateur Radu Jude. The festival will also showcase Miroirs No. 3, by German master Christian Petzold, and three of the top award winners from Berlin and Sundance: The Blue Trail (dir. Gabriel Mascaro, Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, Berlinale), If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (dir. Mary Bronstein, Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance, Berlinale), and Seeds (dir. Brittany Shyne, US Grand Jury Prize: Documentary, Sundance).
Following last year's highly successful edition of the festival, VIFF has added 20 per cent more screenings and introduced two new venues for 2025: the Arts Club Theatre’s Granville Island Stage and the Alliance Française. By programming in these additional venues, VIFF brings the festival to new neighbourhoods and platforms world-class cinema for more Vancouverites.
“These initial VIFF programming announcements are always a thrill, as they offer people just a few insights into the celebration of cinema our team has been assembling since January,” says Curtis Woloschuk, Director of Programming. “These six films not only demonstrate the outstanding caliber of the full program, but also hint at some of the elements that will distinguish this year’s VIFF, including a wealth of selections from South America, a greater focus on documentary and nonfiction films, and a special showcase of Korean cinema. All of this has been possible thanks to an incredibly dedicated programming team that’s not only expanded but evolved as it welcomes new members and their perspectives.”
This year’s film programming team includes: Curtis Woloschuk, Director of Programming; Sonja Baksa, Program Lead & Programmer; Casey Wei, VIFF Short Forum Programmer; Ruun Nuur, Documentary Programmer; PoChu AuYeung, East Asian Cinema Programmer; Alan Franey, Portraits Programmer; T Bannister, MODES Programmer; Deepika Suseelan, Focus Programmer; Cole Forrest, Associate Programmer; and Tristin Greyeyes, Associate Programmer.
Another exciting addition to the VIFF Programming team is Ana Belén Asfura, joining to serve in the newly developed role of Director of Artist & Industry Programs. A Chilean-Palestinian film producer based in Vancouver, she brings vision, purpose, and experience to the team, having represented film projects through co-production, financing, and distribution agreements in several film markets around the world. Over the next few years, VIFF plans to significantly expand its creative development programs, including Industry development initiatives, and Asfura’s arrival marks the beginning of a new phase of programming.
The 2025 the Artist & Industry Program focuses on deepening support for filmmakers’ careers through curated panels and workshops, while introducing new programs focused on creative business, documentary, and animation. The goal is to pave a path for increased international collaboration while embracing original, visionary, and genre-defying work.
“We want to position VIFF as a hub where technology meets storytelling — connecting film and television production with emerging narrative forms in fiction, documentary, animation, gaming, post-production, and creative business,” says Ana Belén Asfura, Director of Artist and Industry Programs. “We’re bringing it all together into a cohesive ecosystem with clearer progression paths, cross-program access, and stronger community-building.”
This year’s Artist & Industry Program will feature incredible talents such as Lisa Azille, Music Executive, KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix Animation); Daniel Turcotte, President of Monstercat (Beat Saber); Tammy Glover, Production Executive and Musician, Sparks (Sony Pictures TV).
Registration will be open for the Artist & Industry Pass on Aug. 8, which grants access to Industry-focused programming, VIFF Amp Music in Media Summit panels and keynotes, the Signals Digital Expo (an exhibition showcasing the intersection of art and creative technology), Swapcard (VIFF's Industry networking and scheduling app), and nightly hospitality and networking opportunities at VIFF's Hospitality House.
The Artist & Industry Premium Pass takes the festival experience to the next level with access to over 300+ screenings, including Special Presentations, as well as the opportunity to attend VIFF Talks. This pass is available at an early bird price through Aug. 28.
The remainder of the programming for VIFF’s 44th edition will be announced on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. VIFF+ Members will have access to advance single ticket sales from Aug. 27 at 12pm. General sales to the public will begin on Aug. 28 at 12pm.
JUST ANNOUNCED
First official selections
Winner: Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, Berlinale 2025
To maximize economic productivity, the government orders the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies. Tereza 77 refuses, instead embarking on a journey through the Amazon that will change her destiny forever.
A Dracula film made in Transylvania. What does it contain? A vampire hunt. Zombies and Dracula crashing a strike. A science fiction story about Vlad the Impaler coming back. An adaptation of the first Romanian vampire novella. A love story. A montage film reusing a classic vampire film. A vulgar folktale. A.I. generated kitsch stories. And many delights in a film dealing with this cinema myth.
Winner: Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance, Berlinale 2025
With her life literally crashing down around her, Linda attempts to navigate her child's mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist.
After a car crash kills her boyfriend, piano student Laura is taken in by Betty, who witnessed the accident. Living with Betty's family brings comfort, but Laura starts questioning their intentions as time passes.
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Winner: US Grand Jury Prize: Documentary, Sundance 2025
A look into the lives of Black generational farmers, unveiling the challenges of maintaining legacy and the value of land ownership.
A young poet drops his girlfriend off at her parents’ house and is amazed by its size. He bumps into her father, meets her mother and sister, and they all end up spending a long day together; fueled by conversation, food and libations.
Festival Passes
Pass Type Regular VIFF+ Members VIFF+ Premium
Festival $475 $428 $380
Platinum $1,300 $1,170 $1,040
Artist & Industry $195 N/A N/A
Artist & Industry Premium Early Bird, through Aug. 27 $400 N/A N/A
Artist & Industry Premium $475 N/A N/A
Film Ticket Packs
Pack Type Regular VIFF+ Members VIFF+ Premium
6 Pack $120 $105 $95
10 Pack $180 $160 $145
More ticket details at viff.org/ticket-info/#festival.
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