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Description
- When: October 1–11, 2026
- Where: Multiple venues across Vancouver, BC, including Vancouver Playhouse, VIFF Centre, The Cinematheque, The Rio Theatre, Fifth Avenue Cinema, and Granville Island
- Cost: Tickets, packs, and passes available; VIFF+ memberships from $49 a year
- Hosted by: Vancouver International Film Festival Society
The 45th Vancouver International Film Festival brings more than 160 films, 85 shorts, VIFF Live performances, VIFF Talks, and special events to screens and stages across Vancouver over eleven days. The festival opens on October 1 with a by-invitation Opening Gala screening of Jesse Eisenberg's The Debut at the Vancouver Playhouse.
Featured Films
Opening Gala: The Debut
Dir. Jesse Eisenberg | 150 min | Galas & Special Presentations
Meek Mona (Julianne Moore) lands a part in a musical and fully inhabits her character, growing increasingly untethered from reality. Screening October 1 at the Vancouver Playhouse.
All the Lovers in the Night
Dir. Yukiko Sode | 139 min | Showcase
A lonely proofreader's isolated world opens through an unlikely friendship with a gentle physics teacher, in this drama based on Mieko Kawakami's acclaimed novel. Screening Oct 1, 2, 5, and 11.
Clarissa
Dir. Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri | 134 min | Showcase
Mrs. Dalloway reimagined in present-day Lagos, with Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, and India Amarteifio. Screening Oct 1 and 4 (19+ at Fifth Avenue Cinema).
Árru
Dir. Elle Sofe Sara | 95 min | Panorama
Set in the mountains and fjords of northern Norway, a reindeer herder fights to protect her Sámi community from a proposed copper mine. Screening Oct 1, 2, and 7.
The Beloved
Dir. Rodrigo Sorogoyen | 135 min | Galas & Special Presentations
An acclaimed director with violent tendencies invites his estranged daughter to star in his latest project, and tensions flare. Screening Oct 1, 5, and 10.
MODES 1
115 min | MODES
Archive and the land reveal other ways of seeing, ensuring that what is meant to endure cannot be erased. Screening Oct 1 and 9 at The Cinematheque.
VIFF Talks
Art of the Cut: Matthew Hannam
Saturday, October 3 | VIFF Centre
The editor revisits his process on films including The Iron Claw, Babygirl, and White Noise.
The Close-Up: In Conversation with Carrie Coon
Sunday, October 4 | Lindsay Family Stage, Granville Island
VIFF honours Coon with a Luminary Award for her contributions to film, television, and theatre.
A Wish Come True: The Making of Obsession with Producer Haley Johnson
Sunday, October 4 | VIFF Centre
A behind-the-scenes look at one of the year's most culturally impactful films.
Worlds Within Worlds: Brandon Tonner-Connolly & Matt Hyland
Monday, October 5 | Annex
The production designers discuss their work with director Jane Schoenbrun on I Saw the TV Glow and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.
Stories Behind the Music: Mark Mothersbaugh
Wednesday, October 7 | The Rio Theatre
The DEVO co-founder and composer talks with Robert Kraft about a career spanning Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Thor: Ragnarok.
Program Sections
The festival is organized into Special Presentations, Showcase, Panorama, Focus, Vanguard, Northern Lights, Insights, Spectrum, Portraits, Altered States, Leading Lights, Short Forum, and MODES.
VIFF Live
VIFF Live presents performances that push the boundaries of film programming, mixing cinema culture with music, comedy, podcasting, and performance in cinema-infused live shows.
Tickets, Packs & Memberships
Packs and passes are on sale now. VIFF+ memberships start at $49 a year, and new VIFF News subscribers get $5 off two VIFF Centre year-round film tickets.
Plan Your Visit
- Event: Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)
- Date: October 1–11, 2026
- Time: Varies by screening. See the festival calendar for showtimes.
- Location: Multiple venues across Vancouver, BC
- Admission: Tickets, packs, and passes; VIFF+ from $49 a year
- Website: viff.org/festival
Over 160 films, 85 shorts, and conversations with creators like Carrie Coon and Mark Mothersbaugh. VIFF's 45th edition fills Vancouver's cinemas and stages for eleven days.
