Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) presents its 42nd edition this month, the first fully in-cinema festival since 2019. This year’s lineup features roughly 140 feature films and 100 shorts, presented on 10 screens in seven Vancouver venues. VIFF is always a great opportunity for Vancouverites to explore film culture through an expanded program of live events, performances, and exhibitions.
The festival will officially open with award-winning Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves, a poignant comedy about two lonely souls who believe they’re meant for each other, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes. The closing film selection will be The Pot-au-Feu (La Passion de Dodin Bouffant) by Tran Anh Hùng, a look at a romantic, intuitive, and intimate partnership between a famed gourmand and his beloved cook, played by Juliette Binoche. The film earned Tran Best Director at Cannes, 30 years after his debut film The Scent of Green Papaya won the Camera d’or at the same festival.
The 2023 film lineup speaks to the themes that are most pressing in our daily lives today, from intimate meditations on motherhood and the dynamics of family to the extensive impacts of climate change on the world around us. VIFF Talks brings together industry leaders who share insights into some of today’s most popular and acclaimed films. VIFF Live breathes life into stories from the screen, combining live performance and cinema culture. VIFF Amp examines the role of music in film, laying the groundwork to foster new talent and nurturing connections between composers and directors. Signals, co-presented by VIFF and DigiBC, explores how new creative technologies are generating uncharted opportunities for storytelling.
“This year’s film program was made possible through the dedication and passion of our largest programming team in years. With thousands of films in consideration, it was through ongoing conversation and collaboration that we ultimately arrived at our selection,” says Curtis Woloschuk, Director of Programming. “In assembling our film series, including the newly launched Leading Lights and Focus sections, they not only drew from their expertise, but also their lived experiences. It’s our sincere hope that the result is a program that will resonate with more Vancouverites than ever before.”
Tickets are on sale now to VIFF+ Members at viff.org, and on sale to the public from Sept. 7 at 12pm (noon). Single tickets are $18 for regular screenings, Galas and Special Presentations. Ticket packs are available in six, 10, and 20 packs. VIFF+ Members enjoy discounts on all VIFF tickets and the free U25 membership offers further discounts to youth between 19 and 25 years of age.
For complete VIFF 2023 programming, including talks and events, click HERE.