Shorts from Canada, Finland, Japan, and the Netherlands.
Sept 28 & 29: Q&A with filmmakers
This short film program includes the following films:
You Can’t Get What You Want but You Can Get Me
Samira Elagoz & Z Walsh, Netherlands/Finland (13 min)
A slideshow of personal photographs and correspondence document two long-haired trans men falling in love.
Colors Under the Streetlights
Yoshimi Joya, Japan (23 min)
Late one night, two women who work at a hostess bar are approached by police.
Candle
Jérémi Roy, Canada (9 min)
David and Leonard are ex-lovers who reunite one autumn evening during a power outage.
Delta Dawn
Asia Youngman, Canada (26 min)
This documentary follows Dawn Murphy, or “Princess Delta Dawn”, who rose to fame in the 1980s and early 1990s and became the first Indigenous woman wrestler and the first Canadian woman wrestler to compete in Japan.
The Death of James
Sam Chou, Canada (14 min)
Two friends grapple with mortality as they are confronted with a dying pet ferret.
Pena’s Special Hauling
Anssi Kasitonni, Finland (12 min)
Perhaps he shouldn’t still be driving at his advanced age, but veteran truck driver Pena cannot help but get behind the wheel of his custom truck.
Salem on the Road
Étienne Galloy, Canada (20 min)
While experiencing a major depersonalization episode, Salem embarks on a solo cycling journey across the Gaspé Peninsula with the intent of ending her life.
Supported by
Community Partner
Various
Various
2023-2024
Various with English subtitles
Self harm
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
2026 Oscar® Shorts (Documentary)
Don't come to the program of Oscar®-nominated documentary shorts for escapism. But let's talk about the Canadian contender, Perfectly a Strangeness, featuring an abandoned observatory and three donkeys. More of this, please.
The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes
A beautiful portrait of E.J. Hughes, who quietly helped reshape the artistic landscape of British Columbia in the 20th century. This extraordinary documentary explores Hughes’s legacy not only as an artist, but as a devoted, humble human being.
Muzizi
From the director of the award-winning film Union Street, Jamila Pomeroy, Muzizi embarks on a great culinary adventure through Vancouver’s African diasporic culinary scene. Muzizi explores powerful stories of immigration, resilience, and joy.
My Father's Shadow
Akojo Film Collective is proud to present My Father's Shadow, launching African Cinema Now into a new year of vibrant programming at the VIFF Centre. The BAFTA-nominated film follows two boys on an adventure with their father through the streets of Lagos.
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary, and Special Jury Prize Winner, Sundance, 2025, this exposé shot by a Russian primary teacher shows how the Putin propaganda machine works to militarize children.
