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When the Wind Rises film image; people picking things up from shallow water

VIFF Short Forum 4

VIFF Short Forum

Image: When the Wind Rises

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Shorts from Brazil, Kenya, Martinique, Mexico, Taiwan, and USA.

 

Sept 30 & Oct 1: Q&A with filmmakers

 

This short film program includes the following films:

Minus Plus Multiply
Chu-Chieh Lee, UK (5 min)

Experiments with drawing, stop motion, and ceramics exploring one’s relationship to emotions through space.

 


Creatures of Light
Sylvie Weber, Mexico (12 min)

Through her connection with the natural world, Valeria brings comfort and lightness to her family.

 


When the Wind Rises
Hung Chen, Taiwan (18 min)

An elderly activist rallies his community against the expansion of an oil refinery in their tiny fishing village.

 


The Return
Laissa Malih, Kenya (16 min)

Malih returns to her community as the first Maasai filmmaker—both an insider and an outsider, a woman amongst men—so that she may carry on the sacred tradition of storytelling.

 


Mermaids
Sarah Malléon, Martinique (16 min)

On the island of Martinique, a young girl attempts to summon mermaids through calls from a conch shell.

 


Dadá
Luisa Arraes, Brazil (19 min)

In this comedy of manners, chaos ensues at a dinner party when the help does not arrive.

 


Fishmonger
Neil Ferron, USA (26 min)

A pathetic fishmonger must survive a sex pact with an ancient fish creature in order to save his mother’s soul.

 

Supported by

    

Community Partner

Director

Various

Country of Origin

Various

Year

2023-2024

Language

Various with English subtitles

18+
112 min
Action Animation Award Winners Black Cinema Cinemas of Asia Comedy Documentary Drama Experimental & Avant Garde Family Relations Horror & Thriller Human Rights & Social Justice Q&As at VIFF Romance Shorts Women Directors

Book Tickets

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Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre

All That's Left of You

Dir. Cherien Dabis
145 min

Jordan's submission for the Academy Awards, All That's Left of You makes the most of its epic format to chronicle seven decades of Palestinian history while tracking the psychological impact of cycles of exile and oppression on three generations.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Spring After Spring

Dir. Jon Chiang
78 min

Three daughters strive to live up to the standards set by their mother Marie Mimi Ho, and keep Vancouver Chinatown's Spring Parade going through thick and thin, in this enormously affectionate local documentary by Jon Chiang.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Song Sung Blue

Dir. Craig Brewer
133 min

Lightning and Thunder (Hugh Jackman and Oscar nominee Kate Hudson), are Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act who experience soaring success and devastating heartbreak in their musical journey together. Based on a true story.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

Dir. David Borenstein & Pavel Talankin
90 min

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.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Cutting Through Rocks

Dir. Sara Khaki & Mohammadreza Eyni
95 min

Winner of Sundance's World Cinema Documentary Grand Jury Prize, Cutting Through Rocks follows Sara Shahverdi — motorcyclist, midwife, and first-ever councilwoman elected in her Iranian village. A vérité triumph by Sara Khaki & Mohammadreza Eyni.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes

Dir. Jenn Strom
82 min

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.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre