Institute for the Moving Image
In 2026, VIFF launches the Institute for the Moving Image, a year-round artist development initiative extending beyond the festival to support emerging equity-deserving filmmakers across British Columbia and Canada.
Rooted in equity, access, and representation, the Institute provides continuous mentorship, professional training, and business education designed to build sustainable creative careers and strengthen artistic authorship. Based on a new model of training, it focuses not just on how to make films, but on how to sustain a creative practice and realize a vision, addressing the need for a deeper ecosystem that supports filmmakers as authors rather than service providers.
For us, creating space for these voices is not optional; it is essential. It is how we restore shared humanity, ignite global dialogue, and forge a more inclusive, vibrant future for cinema.
Ana Belén Asfura, Director of the Institute for the Moving Image, VIFF
Through cohort programs, mentorship, industry connections, and a collaborative learning environment, the Institute fosters bold creative risk and inclusive growth, building a vibrant and future-facing filmmaking community.
Funded by
Supported by
Community Broadcast Partner
Artist & Industry at VIFF 2026
Registration for VIFF's Artist & Industry Pass is Now Open!
Join our vibrant community at one of North America’s most dynamic film festivals. The Artist & Industry Pass offers meaningful access to the creative and professional ecosystem behind today’s cinema.
From directors and producers to composers and digital innovators, this pass gives you access to the conversations, collaborations, and craft behind the films on screen. Discover how ideas become images, how sound shapes emotion, and how new storytellers are pushing the boundaries of the medium.
The Artist & Industry Premium Pass takes your festival experience to the next level with access to over 300+ screenings, including special presentations, as well as the opportunity to attend VIFF Talks.
Check the full programming available for Artist & Industry passholders here.
Artist & Industry
Premium Pass
- Exclusive Industry Programming
- VIFF Amp Music in Media Summit
- Access to VIFF’s social and networking venue
- Access to Swapcard, VIFF’s Industry App
- Access to 350+ film screenings, including special presentations
- Access to VIFF Talks
Artist & Industry
Regular Pass
- Exclusive Industry Programming
- VIFF Amp Music in Media Summit
- Access to VIFF’s social and networking venue
- Access to Swapcard, VIFF’s Industry App
Artist & Industry
Student Pass*
- Exclusive Industry Programming**
- VIFF Amp Music in Media Summit**
- Access to Swapcard, VIFF’s Industry App
*Valid student ID required for pick up
**Panels and Masterclasses only
Upon purchase, you will be asked to add information about your industry affiliation. You will also be required to complete your registration in Swapcard to access your pass and the full calendar of events.
Passes will be available to pick up from September 24 – October 7, 2026 from 10am – 6pm at the VIFF Centre (1181 Seymour St). After October 7, please pick up your pass at the VIFF Centre Box Office, open 30 minutes before the first screening of the day.
Questions about Industry Programming? Email [email protected]
Check the Full Program Here
Get access to our events through Artist & Industry Passes
Swapcard, your all-in-one Industry App for navigating the festival and growing your network in one place.
With Swapcard, you can explore the program, track your schedule, discover participants, and connect directly with filmmakers and industry professionals.
Explore Full Industry Schedule Now
What We Offer
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Year-round cohort programs for filmmakers and screen creatives at key stages of their practice
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Mentorship and artistic guidance with local and international artists
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Creative development support that centres authorship, experimentation, and long-term practice
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Industry connections and market pathways linking local talent with national and international networks
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A collaborative learning environment built on trust, care, and meaningful creative risk
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Equity-centred support for Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, and underrepresented creators
Vision
VIFF’s Institute for the Moving Image envisions a film ecosystem where independent artists are supported not only to make films, but to sustain lifelong creative practices based in purpose, equity, and artistic freedom.
Our vision is to become a leading Canadian institute for screen-based artistic development — one that:
- Positions filmmakers as authors and content creators
- Champions underrepresented voices and reshapes access to opportunity
- Cultivates cross-disciplinary collaboration and global exchange
- Strengthens British Columbia and Western Canada as centres for innovative, socially engaged cinema
By investing in artists over time and building meaningful pathways between creation and realization, the Institute aims to contribute to a more inclusive, resilient, and artist-driven future for film in Canada and beyond.
Mission
The Institute’s mission is to empower filmmakers and screen creatives to develop ambitious, authentic work and sustainable creative practices through year-round artistic training, mentorship, and community building.
We exist to:
- Support equity-deserving creators in navigating systemic barriers to artistic development and career progression
- Foster creative authorship, experimentation, and critical engagement across film disciplines
- Bridge local talent with national and international industry networks
- Create an inclusive, safe, and collaborative environment where artists can take meaningful creative risks
The Institute for the Moving Image believes that artistic development requires time, trust, and continuity — and that strong, diverse voices are essential to a vibrant screen culture.