44th Vancouver International Film Festival
October 2 – 12, 2025
Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) announces five additional events in this year’s highly anticipated VIFF Talks, which brings together industry leaders who share insights into some of today’s most popular and acclaimed films and series, and the program for VIFF Labs, an intimate, invitation-only series that empowers emerging local filmmakers through meaningful, direct dialogues with global talent.
The newly announced VIFF Talks guests are all renowned in their fields: Dennis Berardi, the visual effects supervisor for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein; Alice Brooks, the visual mastermind behind the cinematic sensation Wicked; legendary cinematographer Frederick Elmes, a frequent Jim Jarmusch collaborator who also worked on the new film screening at VIFF this year, Father, Mother, Sister, Brother; the acclaimed production designer Marcus Rowland, who brings to life the new adaptation of the dystopian thriller The Running Man, directed by Edgar Wright; and the extraordinarily original writer-director duo Ramon and Silvan Zürcher, whose second feature The Girl and the Spider screened at VIFF 2021.
“Part of the joy of experiencing a film festival is getting to hear directly from the incredible creators behind these perspective-shifting, industry-defining showpieces,” says Kinga Binkowska, VIFF Talks Curator. “We are honoured to bring to Vancouver VFX experts, cinematographers, designers, writers, and directors that have brought to life the stories that have shaped so many iconic worlds — and thus, left a lasting impression on fans from Star Trek to Wes Anderson.”
VIFF Labs is an intimate, invitation-only series that empowers emerging local filmmakers through meaningful, direct dialogues with global talent, curated by Ken Tsui: “We are honoured to welcome some of the most inspiring craftspeople from some of the year’s most exciting films and series to the 2025 VIFF Lab program. From editing and cinematography to costume design and direction, the 2025 program will spark exciting dialogue and creative exchange between international talent and Vancouver’s dynamic filmmaking community.”
Tickets are on sale now at viff.org. View the full press kit and the sizzle reel for VIFF 2025 here.
VIFF Talks: The world’s leading creators share expertise on their craft
Supported by Creative BC
Community Broadcast Partner: TELUS originals
VIFF Talks connects fans of film and TV culture with the brilliant minds behind the work they love. The 2025 lineup features expertly moderated conversations with experts from directors, writers, producers, and craftspeople celebrated for their outstanding contributions to groundbreaking film and television.
Breaking the Rules: Janicza Bravo on Unconventional Narratives and Fearless Filmmaking
Saturday, Oct. 4, 6pm
Venue: VIFF Centre
Tickets: $29
Presented by Destination Vancouver
One of the most versatile voices in contemporary storytelling, Janicza Bravo pushes creative boundaries and seamlessly moves between film, television, and acting. From the critically acclaimed feature Zola to episodes of Atlanta, Poker Face, and The Bear, she masterfully blends wit with incisive observations on race and identity, unafraid to tackle provocative material with electric energy and social commentary. Join us for a deep dive into her cinematic world.
*JUST ANNOUNCED* Lighting the Magic With Alice Brooks, Cinematographer, Wicked
Monday, Oct. 6, 6pm
Venue: Annex
Tickets: $29
Join us for an illuminating conversation with acclaimed cinematographer Alice Brooks, the visual mastermind behind Wicked. Reuniting with director Jon M. Chu after In the Heights, Brooks will discuss her creative process, from symbolic lighting to color mastery, revealing how her visual storytelling brought the magical world of Oz to life.
*JUST ANNOUNCED* Visual Architect: Frederick Elmes on Four Decades of Cinematic Collaboration
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 6:30pm
Venue: SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
Tickets: $32
Supported by ICG 669
Legendary cinematographer Frederick Elmes transforms light into cinema magic. For decades, he’s been the visual mastermind behind iconic films from David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart), and his remarkable collaborations with Jim Jarmusch (Night on Earth, Coffee and Cigarettes, Paterson) continues at this year’s VIFF with Father, Mother, Sister, Brother. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from a true artist about crafting unforgettable cinematic moments.
From Intimate to Infinite With Writer, Creator Jenny Lumet
Thursday, Oct. 9, 5:30 pm
Venue: The Rio
Tickets: $32
Presented by Peliplat
Jenny Lumet is a compelling voice in film and television, known for crafting deeply human stories across diverse formats. From her Academy Award-nominated screenplay for Rachel Getting Married to her groundbreaking work as co-creator of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and The Man Who Fell to Earth, she moves fluidly between film, television, and franchise storytelling. Join us for a discussion of her remarkable body of work.
*JUST ANNOUNCED* Choreographed Chaos: Ramon and Silvan Zürcher on Domestic Surrealism and Cinematic Precision
Thursday, Oct. 9, 6:30 pm
Venue: VIFF Centre
Tickets: $29
Supported by Swiss Films and Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver
Employing collaboration and a shared vision, Ramon and Silvan Zürcher create meticulously observed, drolly absurd dramas that transform domestic spaces into surreal landscapes. Ramon describes their approach as a “disaster film as psychological chamber play,” excavating emotional complexity from ordinary interactions. Join us as we explore their shared fascination with finding profound mystery within mundane spaces, creating cinema that feels both hyperreal and dreamlike.
Making It Happen With Jeremy Dawson, Producer
Friday, Oct. 10, 6pm
Venue: Annex
Tickets: $29
Presented by ACFC West
Jeremy Dawson has likely produced at least one of your favourite films. A Vancouver-born talent who has become one of cinema’s most sought-after collaborators, Dawson has worked with visionary directors from Wes Anderson to Darren Aronofsky on films that include Requiem for a Dream, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and, most recently, Cannes hit The Phoenician Scheme. From designing title sequences for Aronofsky’s debut and serving as VFX supervisor on The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou to producing award-winning films we all love, Dawson has proven his versatility across every aspect of filmmaking. Join us for an intimate and dynamic conversation as we celebrate this local hero and explore his remarkable journey through the world of cinema.
Reshaping Storytelling With Zacharias Kunuk, Director
Saturday, Oct. 11, 1 pm
Venue: SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
Tickets: $29
Presented by Canada Media Fund
Join us for an intimate conversation with legendary filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk, the first Inuk to produce a feature film. His masterpiece Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes and became Canada’s highest-grossing film of 2002, and his production company Isuma has revolutionized Indigenous storytelling, proving authentic voices create the most powerful cinema. Explore groundbreaking filmmaking, cultural preservation, and authentic storytelling with this visionary artist.
*JUST ANNOUNCED* Building the Extraordinary With Marcus Rowland, Production Designer, The Running Man
Saturday, Oct. 11, 4pm
Venue: Annex
Tickets: $29
Presented by IATSE 891
Acclaimed production designer Marcus Rowland (Last Night in Soho, Rocketman) reunites with Edgar Wright for a new adaptation of the dystopian thriller The Running Man. Learn more about Rowland’s creative process when it comes to building unforgettable worlds, navigating the collaborative art of bringing impossible visions to life on screen, and creating immersive environments that serve both story and spectacle.
*JUST ANNOUNCED* Bringing Monsters to Life With VFX Supervisor Dennis Berardi, Frankenstein
Saturday, Oct. 11, 6:30pm
Venue: Annex
Tickets: $29
Supported by Vancouver Post Alliance
The art of monster-making has undergone a dramatic evolution over the past century; while classic creatures remain timeless, modern audiences demand something that feels authentically alive. VFX supervisor Dennis Berardi is a master of balancing practical artistry with digital innovation, having brought life to Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Join us as Berardi shares insights from his acclaimed career, revealing how modern VFX honour the legacy of practical effects while creating new storytelling possibilities.
VIFF Labs
Presented by Creative BC and Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada
VIFF Labs is an intimate, invitation-only series that empowers emerging local filmmakers through meaningful, direct dialogues with global talent. This year’s highlights include:
Anatomy of Heretic
With Justin Li, Editor | Oct. 5
Last fall, A24’s Heretic emerged as a sleeper horror sensation. At the heart of its haunting rhythm is the precise, unnerving work of Leo Award–winning editor Justin Li. In this session, Li takes us through his editorial process, sharing some of his favorite moments from the film and unpacking how he shaped the scares for Heretic.
Friendship Goals
With Andrew DeYoung, Director | Oct. 6
Hailed as one of the standout comedies of the year, Andrew DeYoung’s feature debut, Friendship, is a poignant yet absurd, cringe-inducing and wildly hilarious exploration of male loneliness and bonding. In this Lab, DeYoung will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how he wrote and directed one of the most original and talked about films of the year.
Close Quarters
With the Zürcher Brothers, Director & Writer | Oct. 7
Whether it’s families or siblings, Ramon and Silvan Zürcher have mastered the art of intimate, closed-quarter cinema—blending emotional precision with moments of refined absurdity. From their striking debut The Strange Little Cat to The Girl and the Spider and The Sparrow in the Chimney, the Zürcher Brothers have redefined the cinematic chamber piece with a style that’s both poetic and unpredictable. Join them for a conversation on their writing and directing process.
Framing The Smashing Machine
With Maceo Bishop, Cinematographer | Oct. 8
Shot in hyperrealistic 16mm, The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie, offers an unflinching, intimate portrait of an MMA legend. Rooted in the raw honesty and visceral texture of Maceo Bishop’s strikingly gritty, documentary-style aesthetic, this session with Bishop pulls back the curtain on the creative process behind one of the year’s most hotly anticipated biopics.
The Recipe for a Chef’s Table
With Brian McGinn, Director & Showrunner | Oct. 9
Ten years ago, Chef’s Table transformed the way we experience food on screen. With its cinematic visuals and deeply human storytelling, the groundbreaking docuseries elevated culinary documentaries into an art form and ignited a global conversation around food, culture, and creativity. Join acclaimed showrunner and director Brian McGinn for an intimate look at the storytelling ingredients of one of Netflix’s longest-running series.
Moderated by Jesse Einstein
Woven Identities
With Katina Danabassis, Costume Designer | Oct. 11
From The Materialists and Past Lives to The Curse and Bodies Bodies Bodies, Katina Danabassis has emerged as the go-to costume designer for A24’s distinct brand of zeitgeist-defining storytelling. Her work is marked by a rare ability to create understated wardrobes that feel effortlessly lived-in, seamlessly weaving style, character and story. Danabassis joins us for an in-depth conversation about collaborating with directors such as Celine Song in crafting visual identities through silhouette, texture, and fit.
To explore VIFF’s complete 2025 programming, visit viff.org.
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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.