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Dreams film image; a woman gently pulling at the neck of another woman's sweater

Welcome to VIFF

VIFF 2025 Program: See It Now!

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!

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Dreams

Dir. Dag Johan Haugerud
110 min

The third installment in the Sex/Dreams/Love trilogy is another rich, absorbing tale. 17-year-old Johanne writes a confessional about her flirtation with a (female) teacher. But the writing is too good to stay private...

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

George Garzone Live

Dir. Tom Surgal
180 min

Saxophone giant George Garzone celebrates free jazz with the help of the explosive Jerry Steinhilber Trio. Their set will be followed by a screening of Tom Surgal's documentary, Fire Music, featuring John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor.

Image: © Lee Tanner, The Jazz Image

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Other People's Children

Dir. Rebecca Zlotowski
103 min

The luminous Virginie Efira (Madeleine Collins) stars in this affecting portrait of a teacher whose biological clock is ticking. Rachel falls in love with Ali (Roschdy Zem), but their relationship is complicated by his four-year-old daughter Leila.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Afire

Dir. Christian Petzold
102 min

Christian Petzold (Transit; Phoenix) returns with this multilayered, serio-comic portrait of a sulky writer struggling with his novel at a friend's summer cottage. An impending deadline guarantees he'll be miserable but not that he'll get any work done.

Image: © Marco Krüger-Schramm

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Riefenstahl

Dir. Andres Veiel
115 min

This fascinating documentary is a complex, sad portrait of Adolf Hitler's favourite filmmaker, Leni Riefenstahl, whose 1938 film Olympia is deemed a masterpiece in some circles, and who spent her last half century disowning her Nazi sympathies.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Mystery Train

Dir. Jim Jarmusch
110 min

Three oddball tales centered on a single seedy Memphis hotel, this may be the most accessible and purely enjoyable Jarmusch movie, a bittersweet evocation of crumbling Americana, haunted by the ghosts of rock n roll.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Festival Preludes

Sept 1 – 25

Boost your festival experience with a refresher course on nine of the international auteurs whose work is making waves this year.

Mystery Train

Dir. Jim Jarmusch
110 min

Three oddball tales centered on a single seedy Memphis hotel, this may be the most accessible and purely enjoyable Jarmusch movie, a bittersweet evocation of crumbling Americana, haunted by the ghosts of rock n roll.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Afire

Dir. Christian Petzold
102 min

Christian Petzold (Transit; Phoenix) returns with this multilayered, serio-comic portrait of a sulky writer struggling with his novel at a friend's summer cottage. An impending deadline guarantees he'll be miserable but not that he'll get any work done.

Image: © Marco Krüger-Schramm

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Other People's Children

Dir. Rebecca Zlotowski
103 min

The luminous Virginie Efira (Madeleine Collins) stars in this affecting portrait of a teacher whose biological clock is ticking. Rachel falls in love with Ali (Roschdy Zem), but their relationship is complicated by his four-year-old daughter Leila.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

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.

George Garzone Live

Dir. Tom Surgal
180 min

Saxophone giant George Garzone celebrates free jazz with the help of the explosive Jerry Steinhilber Trio. Their set will be followed by a screening of Tom Surgal's documentary, Fire Music, featuring John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor.

Image: © Lee Tanner, The Jazz Image

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema
Mad Professor: Live AV in Dub
cartoon of a giant man leaning over city skyscrapers

Mad Professor: Live AV in Dub

90 min

Dub legend Mad Professor performs a rare live set celebrating his No Protection Massive Attack remix album’s 30th anniversary – a hypnotic trip into the psychedelic worlds of dub and trip-hop with live visuals from Vancouver artist Saghi Ehteshamzadeh.

Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
claire rousay, The Bloody Lady (Live Score) and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe
headshot collage of a man and woman

claire rousay, The Bloody Lady (Live Score) and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe

150 min

An evening of haunted sound and cinema with claire rousay performing her live score of the animated classic The Bloody Lady and composer Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe presenting a performance tethered to his cinematic sound worlds (Candyman; Seeds; After Life).

The Rio Theatre
Julianna Barwick and loscil
collage of two headshots

Julianna Barwick and loscil

135 min

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.

The Rio Theatre

Wilfred Buck's Star Stories Live With Wilfred Buck and Lisa Jackson

90 min

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

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Closing Gala: Köln 75 With Live Performance by Chris Gestrin

Dir. Ido Fluk
155 min

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.

Vancouver Playhouse

VIFF Talks

The world’s leading creators share expertise on their craft.

Breaking the Rules: Janicza Bravo on Unconventional Narratives and Fearless Filmmaking
two women staring intently at one another under colourful lights

Breaking the Rules: Janicza Bravo on Unconventional Narratives and Fearless Filmmaking

90 min

From her Sundance winner Gregory Go Boom to the acclaimed Zola, Janicza Bravo transforms chaos into surrealist cinema gold. Her bold vision has elevated episodes of Atlanta, The Bear, and Poker Face. Join us for a talk with this fearless storyteller.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema
Visual Architect: Frederick Elmes on Four Decades of Cinematic Collaboration
Father Mother Sister Brother film image; man standing with hands clasped by a house front porch

Visual Architect: Frederick Elmes on Four Decades of Cinematic Collaboration

90 min

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

SFU Woodwards
Choreographed Chaos: Ramon and Silvan Zürcher on Domestic Surrealism and Cinematic Precision
Ramon and Silvan Zürcher headshot

Choreographed Chaos: Ramon and Silvan Zürcher on Domestic Surrealism and Cinematic Precision

90 min

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

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema
From Intimate to Infinite With Writer, Creator Jenny Lumet
people in sci-fi starship uniforms walking across an alien planet

From Intimate to Infinite With Writer, Creator Jenny Lumet

90 min

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.

The Rio Theatre
Making It Happen With Jeremy Dawson, Producer: From Aronofsky to Anderson
The Grand Budapest Hotel film image; 4 people in a bright red elevator

Making It Happen With Jeremy Dawson, Producer: From Aronofsky to Anderson

90

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.

Annex
Bringing Monsters to Life With VFX Supervisor Dennis Berardi, Frankenstein
Frankenstein film image; man standing in a fantastical laboratory filled with body parts

Bringing Monsters to Life With VFX Supervisor Dennis Berardi, Frankenstein

90 min

While classic creatures remain timeless, modern audiences demand something that feels authentically alive. VFX supervisor Dennis Berardi is a master of balancing practical artistry with digital innovation.

Annex

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