Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) is back in-cinema for its 41st edition, which includes revamped film series and a new international film competition for emerging directors. This year’s program features roughly 130 feature films and 100 shorts screening across seven Vancouver venues, as well as 20 other events. All films will be presented in-cinema, with a small curated selection of titles available for streaming across British Columbia on VIFF Connect.

The festival will officially open with Bones of Crows by Métis filmmaker Marie Clements, an epic tale of Aline Spears, a Cree matriarch played by Grace Dove (Monkey Beach) who survives the residential school system and becomes a code talker for the Canadian Air Force during WWII. The closing gala presentation will be South Korea’s Broker by VIFF favourite Hirokazu Kore-eda, a sprawling crime story about a baby kidnapping scheme starring Song Kang-ho (Parasite). Song became the first South Korean male actor to win best actor at Cannes this year for his role in Broker.

The 2022 lineup showcases films that draw inspiration from the real world: from intimate, inward-looking reflections on life and family to expansive visions that incorporate the landscapes around us. VIFF Talks brings together industry leaders who share insights into filmmaking today and VIFF Amp explores the role of music in film. New to VIFF’s event lineup this year is Signals, presented by VIFF and DigiBC, which explores how new creative technologies can generate uncharted opportunities for storytelling. A new addition to the film program is Vanguard, a competitive series that showcases the work of rising filmmakers from around the globe. Featuring eight narrative films by first and second-time directors, the program features titles from Australia, India, Mongolia, and more.

BUZZ Picks

Golden Delicious is a coming-of-age drama for the digital age, Jake Wong is caught between his father’s expectations and his own burgeoning desires. Set against quintessential East Vancouver cityscapes, the film reveals the trials of the emerging self and builds into a portrait of what family means as they all fight to find happiness and live their lives authentically. The timely and uplifting film, which captures the complexities of coming out queer in an Asian Canadian family, carves out space for underrepresented people and communities to tell their stories. It celebrates queer representation and brings Asian Canadian stories and characters to the forefront, offering an honest and nuanced portrayal of the modern Asian Canadian family. They also explore the pervasive, and often negative role social media plays in our lives, and how much more amplified it is for teens and youth.

It’s an official selection of Telefilm Canada’s 2020 Talent To Watch program, and is premiering at the Vancouver International Film Festival on October, 5, 2022. This is the first feature film from director Jason Karman, producer Kristyn Stilling, and writer Gorrman Lee.

Click here for a full list of LGBTQ+ films screening this year.

Tickets are now on sale at viff.org. Single tickets are $15 for regular screenings, $17 for Galas and Special Presentations, and $10 for VIFF Connect. A variety of festival passes and ticket packs are available. VIFF+ Members enjoy discounts on all VIFF tickets and the new, free U25 membership offers further discounts to youth between 19 and 25 years of age. VIFF Connect film programming will be available across BC. VIFF Talks, VIFF Amp, and Signals will be presented in-person this year, with the exception of the VIFF Talks event Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, which will be available via VIFF Connect. More ticket details at viff.org/ticket-info. 

For complete VIFF 2022 programming, including talks and events, click HERE.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.