42nd Vancouver International Film Festival September 28 – October 8, 2023
VANCOUVER, BC (AUGUST 10, 2023) The 42nd Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) returns this fall with 130 features and 100 shorts, including a star-studded lineup for Special Presentations and VIFF Live — unique, cinema-infused performances that push the boundaries of traditional film programming. Tickets are now on sale for two VIFF Live events, and VIFF+ Members can purchase festival ticket packs starting today. Ticket packs go on sale to the general public on August 17.
VIFF announced an initial eight Special Presentations today, including several Canadian stories: Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe by Robert McCallum, a heartfelt documentary that celebrates the life and work of the iconic Canadian children’s television personality; Swan Song by Chelsea McMullan, an inside look at the National Ballet of Canada’s 2022 production of Swan Lake directed and staged by the legendary Karen Kain; and Seven Veils by Atom Egoyan, a psychodrama about a young theatre director forced to re-examine her own trauma while working on a remount of Salome.
VIFF mainstay Hirokazu Kore-eda returns with Monster, a powerful critique of bullying and family dysfunction that explores the same events through different perspectives. Other international standouts include: The Old Oak by Ken Loach, a working class drama about a bar owner who steps up when an influx of Syrian refugees stokes xenophobic backlash; Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet, an engrossing courtroom drama that won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year; Last Summer by Catherine Breillat, about a lawyer who begins a taboo relationship with her 17-year-old stepson; and La Chimera by Alice Rohrwacher, an exhilaratingly wild, mysterious, rough and tumble tale of a disheveled English tomb raider living with a boisterous group of Italian bohemians.
“We’re excited to include tributes to two Canadian icons — Mr. Dressup and Karen Kain — along with the latest by a legendary homegrown filmmaker — Atom Egoyan — in this year’s Special Presentations program,” says Curtis Woloschuk, Director of Programming. “And while these three films hinge on the power of performance, other marquee attractions at this year’s festival offer narratives that dramatically shift perspective, immerse us in moral entanglements, and remind us of the power of simple acts of kindness.”
This year’s VIFF Live program is guest curated by PuSh International Performing Arts Festival Co-Founder Norman Armour. Two highlights are 32 Sounds by filmmaker Sam Green, a profound documentary and live sensory experience that shifts our perception of the world, and Machine Folklore by Software2050 & NAXS FUTURE, an immersive audio-visual performance screening in which AI meets virtual consciousness to depict a portrait of humanity and the infinite possibilities of the future.
“VIFF Live events are occasions to witness boundaries lovingly teased and toyed with of what we commonly refer to as cinema,” says Armour. “The spotlighted works and artists embrace a dizzying range of aesthetic and subject matter concerns. For many of the creators, the moniker ‘filmmaker’ or ‘image maker’ being the farthest from their sense of creative identity. Here, unfettered play is the goal. And play, they do!”
Applications for industry accreditation are now open. Intended for film and television professionals, VIFF Industry Passes offer access to Industry Days (Oct 1-3), which feature keynotes, panels, ask-me-anything sessions with funders, and case studies. Industry passholders will also have access to four to six panels and keynotes of the VIFF Amp Music in Film Summit (Oct 4-7), and a sneak peak of Signals (an exhibition showcasing the intersection of art and creative technology ). Rounding out the experience, passholders can enjoy nightly hospitality and networking opportunities plus access to the festival’s 300+ screenings.
The remainder of the programming for VIFF’s 42nd edition will be announced Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
JUST ANNOUNCED
SELECT SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: The year’s most anticipated films
Anatomy of a Fall dir. Justine Triet (France)
La Chimera dir. Alice Rohrwacher (Italy/France/Switzerland)
Last Summer dir. Catherine Breillat (France)
Monster dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda (Japan)
Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe dir. Robert McCallum (Canada)
The Old Oak dir. Ken Loach (UK)
Seven Veils dir. Atom Egoyan (Canada)
Swan Song dir. Chelsea McMullan (Canada)
VIFF LIVE: Unparalleled experiences that go beyond the screen
32 Sounds | Thursday, Oct. 5, 7pm Venue: Vancouver Playhouse
An immersive documentary and profound sensory experience from filmmaker Sam Green that explores the elemental phenomenon of sound. The film is a meditation on the power of sound to bend time, cross borders, and reshape our perception of the world around us. Each audience member will be provided headphones to create an incredible binaural sound mix and add a new, deeply immersive element to the live documentary form. The “live cinema” event will feature live narration, directed and performed by Sam Green, and composed by JD Samson.
Machine Folklore | Sunday, Oct. 1, 7pm & 9pm
Venue: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre – Performance Centre
Machine Folklore by Software2050 & NAXS FUTURE introduces Vancouver audiences to Taiwan’s vibrant and deeply experimental interdisciplinary arts scene. In this immersive audio-visual performance screening, artificial intelligence meets virtual consciousness. Together, we see humanity through non-human AI eyes. Using music, imagery, and light design, Machine Folklore is a glimpse into the infinite possibilities of the future of digital culture and virtual technology in this hypnotic audio-visual work.
| Early Bird Tickets and Information | ||
| Industry Pass | Earlybird – After September 5 – | $375 $450 |
| Industry Days Pass | $175 | |
| VIFF Live: 32 Sounds at Vancouver Playhouse | $38 | |
| VIFF Live: Machine Folklore at Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre – Performance Centre | $22 | |
Film Ticket Packs
| Pack Type | Regular Price for Non-VIFF+ Members | VIFF+ | VIFF+ Premium & U25 |
| 6 Pack | $102 | $87 | $75 |
| 10 Pack | $165 | $140 | $120 |
| 20 Pack | $320 | $270 | $230 |
| Student 6 Pack | $78 | N/A | N/A |
| Senior 6 Pack | $93 | N/A | N/A |
| Senior 10 Pack | $150 | N/A | N/A |
| Senior 20 Pack | $290 | N/A | N/A |
More ticket details at viff.org/ticket-info/#festival
Social Media
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#VIFF2023
About VIFF | viff.org
Beyond film exhibitions, VIFF strives to engage and empower communities, encourage dialogue and champion local artists. With decades of experience and an unwavering commitment to creating exceptional programs, VIFF has transformed into a highly esteemed annual festival and a premier arthouse cinema.
Founded in 1982, the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society is a not-for-profit cultural society and federally registered charitable organization that operates the internationally acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the year-round programming at the VIFF Centre. All year, VIFF produces screenings, talks, conferences and events that act as a catalyst for the community to discover the creativity and craft of storytelling on screen.
VIFF is presented on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil‑Waututh) Nations.
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