Vancouver International Black Film Festival 2025

The Vancouver International Black Film Festival (VIBFF) returns from December 5–9, 2025, bringing an outstanding lineup of films, panels, workshops, and conversations that highlight Black experiences, creativity, and storytelling from around the world. Dedicated to amplifying diverse voices in cinema, VIBFF champions independent filmmaking and provides a vital platform for filmmakers whose stories challenge perspectives, inspire dialogue, and broaden our understanding of global Black realities.

Now entering another influential year in its growing legacy, the festival invites audiences to engage with powerful films, industry panels, emerging creators, and meaningful conversations at venues across Vancouver — including Vancity Theatre and VIFF Studio Theatre, with additional online programming for global viewers.

Event Overview

📅 Dates: December 5–9, 2025
📍 Locations: Vancity Theatre, VIFF Studio Theatre + Online
🎟 Ticket Options: In-Person Pass, Online Pass, Individual Tickets
🌍 Festival Theme: Amplifying Global Black Voices in Cinema

The VIBFF 2025 program spotlights stories from Canada, the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond — providing a dynamic mix of feature films, shorts, documentaries, talks, and artist-led workshops.

Opening Film: Of Mud and Blood

🕖 December 5 | 7:00–9:30 PM
📍 Vancity Theatre

The festival opens with Of Mud and Blood, a gripping documentary exploring life in the coltan mining village of Numbi, Congo DRC. The film captures the resilience, hardship, and humanity of a community shaped by global demand and local struggle. It sets the tone for a festival rooted in truth, courage, and powerful storytelling.

Daily Programming Highlights

🔹 Spotlight Stories: Film Industry Q&A Series with Yusuf Fabs Cala

📅 December 6, 2025 — Vancity Theatre
A dynamic conversation with a filmmaker pushing creative boundaries. Attendees will gain insights into career development, creative process, and the challenges faced by Black filmmakers globally.

🔹 Inside B.C.’s Film Landscape

📅 December 6, 2025 — VIFF Studio Theatre
Join Katharine Pavoni, Deputy Director of the BC Film Commission at Creative BC, for an in-depth discussion on how British Columbia’s thriving film ecosystem supports diverse creators and future industry growth.

🔹 Action Beyond Awareness Forum: Black Voices in Vancouver Cinema

📅 December 6, 2025 — VIFF Studio Theatre
A vital conversation addressing systemic barriers faced by Black filmmakers, exploring pathways toward equity, representation, and empowerment within Vancouver’s film industry.

🔹 Workshop: Insuring Your Vision

📅 December 7, 2025 — Online
A practical workshop designed for emerging and established filmmakers, breaking down the complexities of production insurance and risk management in film creation.

🔹 Success Stories of Black Creatives — Online Panel

📅 December 7, 2025 — Online
Hear from influential Black creatives across arts and entertainment who share their journeys, triumphs, and lessons learned while navigating the film and media landscape.

Being Black in Canada Film Selections — December 6

📍 Vancity Theatre

A curated showcase of short films exploring Black identity across Canada, including:

• Black in School (HLX)

• Mikerlande: L’Exil de la Mémoire du Griot (MTL)

• Relentless Hurdles / Resilient Hearts (HLX)

• Double Combat (MTL)

• Under Pressure (HLX)

• Strike the Iron / Battre le Fer (MTL)

• Self Actualization (VANC)

• Away From Home (TOR)

These intimate and impactful films explore themes of identity, resilience, migration, social justice, and personal transformation.

Featured Directors & Creators

VIBFF 2025 showcases works from a powerful roster of international and Canadian directors, including:

• Jennifer Holness

• Adze Ugah

• Jenny Casas

• Ramesh Jai Gulabrai

• Yvonne Huff Lee

• Isak Vaillancourt

• Jean-Gabriel Leynaud

• Abbesi Akhamie

Their films represent an extraordinary breadth of voices and cinematic perspectives.

Passes & Ticket Information

🎟 In-Person Pass — $59

Includes:

• Regular theatre access

• In-person screenings & events

💻 Online Pass — $49

Includes:

• Access to all online films & virtual panels

🎫 Individual Tickets — $12

Perfect for selecting specific films or panels.

Why Attend the Vancouver International Black Film Festival?

VIBFF offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in compelling stories and artistic voices that expand how we see the world. This festival is more than a cinematic event — it is a cultural moment celebrating:

• Global Black storytelling

• Independent filmmaking

• Diverse creative perspectives

• Community dialogue & artistic exchange

• Films that challenge, inspire, and illuminate

Audiences will experience a powerful lineup of films that examine identity, heritage, social issues, and the human experience through a uniquely Black lens.

Official Festival Website

Learn more, explore the full program schedule, and purchase passes directly through the official festival website by searching:
Vancouver International Black Film Festival – Official Site