Canadian Premiere
Leaving home for university, Abbie (Willow Shields) thrives as she experiences independence and self-actualization. However, she’s tormented by the knowledge that her brother Kayden (Jonathan Simao), who has autism and is non-verbal, is reeling in her absence and pushing her parents (Lochlyn Munro and Elizabeth Mitchell) to their limits. While home for the holidays, Abbie faces the impossible decision between returning to Karly (Ava Capri), the woman she’s fallen for, or providing Kayden the support he seemingly desperately needs.
Drawing from her own experiences growing up with a sibling with ASD, Connie Cocchia creates a clear-eyed depiction of autism’s impacts on an individual and their family. Rather than crafting a scrappy underdog story about an overachieving member of the autism community with savant qualities, When Time Got Louder offers a deeply moving story about good people simply trying to do their best—and just how hard that can be.
Q&A Oct 8 & Oct 9
Presented by
Media Partner
Willow Shields, Lochlyn Munro, Elizabeth Mitchell, Jonathan Simao, Ava Capri
Canada
2021
English
Bullying, coarse language, violence
Open to youth!
Book Tickets
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.
Credits
Executive Producer
Roy Cocchia, Frank Giustra, Austin Kolodney, Navid Soofi
Producer
Connie Cocchia, Ken Frith, Jason Bourque
Screenwriter
Connie Cocchia
Cinematography
Nelson Talbot, Graham Talbot
Editor
Asim Nuraney
Production Design
Heather Coutts
Original Music
Chris Hyson
Director
Connie Cocchia
Connie Cocchia is an LGBTQ+ director, writer, and producer who began her film career in Los Angeles, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television at the University of Southern California. While in Los Angeles, she worked in physical production at Lionsgate and in development at Langley Park Pictures on the Warner Brothers lot. She won the Best First-time Director Award at the California Film Awards for her short Awake (2013). Returning to Vancouver, Cocchia received a Master of Fine Arts in Film Production from the University of British Columbia and founded her production company Cocchia Productions.