VIFF Labs is an intimate, invitation-only series that empowers emerging local filmmakers through meaningful, direct dialogues with global talent.
As the curator of VIFF Labs, it remains a privilege to extend invitations that bring global industry experts to participate in dialogues at VIFF. Our Labs cover a range of diverse and relevant topics, aimed to spark meaningful conversation and ideas between international talent and Vancouver’s local filmmaking community.
Ken Tsui, VIFF Labs Curator
Presented by
Supported by
Participant Reviews
“Was very insightful and an honour to be part of an intimate conversation with industry professionals. Always great to hear peoples stories and how they got to where they are. I left feeling inspired.”
“The format really worked, the moderator made sure that everyone had time to speak. I feel like I learned a lot about starting to produce or upleveling from shorts to feature lengths.”
“It was a good, intimate event and it was really great to have Ellen Kuras right there. I liked that the lab had a smaller number of people, it felt less intimidating to ask questions and also gave Ellen enough time to properly discuss and elaborate on points.”
Past Guests Have Included
Caty Maxey, Production Designer, Civil War
Chris Nash, Director, In a Violent Nature
Don McKellar, Writer & Showrunner, The Sympathizer
Marco Costa, Editor, Challengers
Akiko Stehrenberger, Artist & Designer
Cody Lightning, Writer, Hey Viktor!
Daniel Goldhaber, Director, How to Blow Up a Pipeline
Emma Seligman, Director, Shiva Baby
Jamila Pomeroy, Director, Union Street
Karen Cho, Director, In the Shadow of Gold Mountain
Kyle Edward Ball, Director, Skinamarink
Sam Miller, Writer, Hey Viktor!
Tarik Bradford, President, Dahomey Music
Karen Pearlman, Author, Cutting Rhythms: Intuitive
Madonna Wade Reed, Music Supervisor, Batwoman and Whoopsie Daisy
Jennifer Abbott, Director, The New Corporation: The unfortunately Necessary
Chase Joynt, Director, Framing Agnes
Aisling Chin Yee, Director, The Rest Of Us
Theo Anthony, Director, All Light, Everywhere
Lindsey Dryden, Producer, Trans In America