The 27th annual Vancouver International Film Festival will be held September 25 - October 10, 2008
Purpose
Founded in 1982, the festival's mandate is to encourage the understanding of other nations through the art of cinema, to foster the art of cinema, to facilitate the meeting in British Columbia of cinema professionals from around the world, and to stimulate the motion picture industry in British Columbia and Canada.
Scope
VIFF is among the largest film festivals in North America and is one of the largest cultural events in Canada. A fall fixture on the international film festival calendar, this outstanding festival is a microcosm of its home city: cosmopolitan, innovative, friendly, culturally complex and very accessible.
More than 150,000 people are expected to attend approximately 575 screenings of 350 films from 60 countries.
Main Sections
The broad spectrum of fiction and nonfiction films from around the world is divided into the following sections:
The Ark:
Elements and Animals
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The series is highlighted by films that explore the fate of our most precious element - water - and by films that allow us to reflect on our historical co-existence with animals.
Dragons and Tigers: The Cinemas of East Asia - the largest annual exhibition of East Asian films outside Asia
Nonfiction Features - Over the past fifteen years the VIFF has given its large program of documentary and essay films front-and-centre status. It is internationally recognized as one of the largest and most successful showcases of nonfiction cinema in a general festival context.
Canadian Images - one of the biggest showcases of Canadian film in the world.
Cinema of Our Time - Our general international section comprises the most innovative and exciting cinematic developments from around the globe.
Spotlight on France - This annual sidebar celebrates the unique achievements of France's strong national cinema.
In addition to our main sections, for younger filmgoers the VIFF offers the High School Outreach Program . Now in its eleventh year, this program provides a unique opportunity for Vancouver-area students to experience the best that international cinema has to offer.
We also classify a number of other films for younger viewers to attend. Please check the Classified Films page during Festival time for further information.
The Visa Screening Room at the Empire Granville 7 Cinemas, Screen 7
Vancity Theatre at the Vancouver International Film Centre
Pacific Cinémathèque
Ridge Theatre
Film & Television Forum
September 24-26, New Filmmakers' Day September 27
The Vancouver Film and Television Forum, the largest event of its kind in western Canada, takes place annually during the Vancouver International Film Festival. The Forum hosts a series of challenging and informative seminars, roundtable discussions, master classes, tête-à-tête sessions and contests designed to explore the trends and opportunities in both the Canadian film and television landscape and in the international marketplace. These seminars provide a unique opportunity to access global markets and a platform for our Canadian filmmakers to develop and foster working relationships with the international community. Please visit the Forum website for program details and guest speakers.
Film Information-604-683-FILM (3456), will open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, September 4 to October 10. This number is for information only; for ticket purchase, see below.
Visa Charge-by-phone line - call for tickets, noon to 7pm daily from September 6 until October 9 at 604-685-8297.
The Vancouver International Film Festival is operated by the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society, a provincially registered, non-profit, education and cultural organization incorporated under The Society Act of British Columbia, and a federally registered charity under the Canadian Income Tax Act.
Annual Membership
As a registered non-profit society, the Vancouver International Film Festival screens films that have not been seen by the B.C. Film Classification Board. Under B.C. law any person wishing to see these unclassified films must belong to the Film Festival Society and be 18 years or older. By joining the society, you are also entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting (April 15, 2008 at the Vancouver International Film Centre - 1181 Seymour St.).
Membership is valid until August 31, 2009. The VIFF Membership card does not provide membership to the Vancouver International Film Centre but can be shown for a discount towards VIFC membership. If you are planning to join the VIFC, please keep your card.
As a non-profit, we rely on grass-roots marketing. When purchasing a membership, you will see it has an attached "member info" card; by filling in this section of the card and returning it to one of our cashiers or theatre managers, you will help us keep in touch with news of Vancity Theatre screenings, special events, and more. To read the VIFF Privacy Policy, please click here.
As a ticket-holder, you will be required to show your membership card at each screening you attend. If you cannot produce a valid membership card we will ask you to purchase one at that time. Pass-holders must purchase their memberships when they purchase their Passes but are not required to present their membership cards at the theatres, only their valid passes.
Certain films have been classified for the sake of children under 18, who are prohibited by law from becoming members of the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society. Adults must still be members to attend these Festival screenings.
