Vancouver International Film Festival
The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) is one of the city’s biggest cultural events, taking place every fall in downtown Vancouver. Typically running from around late September until early to mid-October, the festival showcases films at the VIFF Centre on Seymour Street as well as at several other theatres across the city.
In 2026 the film festival runs from October 1st until the 11th.
For the official schedule and tickets, visit viff.org.
About the Vancouver Film Festival
Located in Vancouver, VIFF is Western Canada’s home for film and film culture. Recognized as one of the largest film festivals in North America, the VIFF presents up to 300 screenings each year and attracts over 100,000 film lovers. The show lineup includes everything from award-winning international releases to independent and emerging films.
The festival is known for its wide range of programming. It features the following:
- One of the largest showcases of Canadian cinema
- Films from 70+ countries, presented in their original languages with English subtitles.
- Filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, talks, and other live events related to cinema and the screen-based arts.
Audiences can enjoy a diverse mix of genres including dramas, comedies, documentaries, action, horror and more.
In addition to the annual fall film festival, VIFF operates the VIFF Centre, Vancouver’s premier arthouse cinema, and leads artist development initiatives through the Institute for the Moving Image. Together, these initiatives nurture filmmakers, strengthen the screen-based arts sector, and bring the joy of bold, original cinema to audiences year-round.
Visit viff.org for full details about the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Festival Highlights
Each year, the VIFF screens more than 200 films, with many premieres and exclusive showings. In recent editions, the festival has included over 80 short films, 140 feature-length productions, and more than 120 premieres, including world, North American, and Canadian premieres.
On the festival’s website, films are organized by date, genre, content type, venue, and country of origin, making it easy for attendees to plan their experience. There are featured BC films, “Canadiana” Films, Indigenous ones, special presentations and more.
There are also non-movie screening performances that are part of the VIFF Live series. VIFF Live shows consist of various types of performances including musical acts, multimedia elements and more.
Film Festival Venues
While the VIFF Centre at 1181 Seymour Street is the festival’s main hub, screenings take place at several other venues, such as the following:
- Fifth Avenue Cinemas – 2110 Burrard Street (19+ licensed venue)
- International Village Cinemas – 88 West Pender Street
- Rio Theatre – 1660 East Broadway (19+ licensed venue)
- SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (Woodward’s) – 149 West Hastings Street
- The Cinémathèque – 1131 Howe Street
- Vancouver Playhouse – 600 Hamilton Street
- Park Theatre – 3440 Cambie Street
- Lindsay Family Stage on Granville Island – 1585 Johnston Street
VIFF Centre (Vancouver International Film Centre)
The VIFF Centre, also known as the Vancouver International Film Centre, is the year-round home of the festival. Located at 1181 Seymour Street, the venue houses both the Vancity Theatre and Studio Theatre, where films, special screenings, and cultural events take place outside of festival season.
The festival is organized by the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society, a non-profit dedicated to promoting film culture and year-round programming at the VIFF Centre.
Visit viff.org for full details about the Vancouver International Film Festival.
VIFF Festival Ticket Costs
Tickets for individual movie screenings cost between $19 and $22 in 2026 depending on how old you are. You can also buy tickets in packs of six or 10 for $126 or $200, respectively. A full festival pass costs $495 for adults or $455 for seniors. VIFF+ members (those who support the VIFF Centre and the festival with annual contributions) receive discounts on tickets.
You can buy tickets online, at the VIFF Centre on Seymour Street, or at the box office of any of the theatres participating in the festival.
In addition to the film screenings there are also a series of non-movie events called VIFF Live. The VIFF Live series takes place at different venues over the course of the festival. The shows do often include some filmmaking aspects, but focus more on live elements like music, dance and other kinds of performance and media.
Tickets to the shows typically cost between $35 and $60. Click VIFF Live for the full schedule of performances.
Useful Information for Attendees
- Festival Memberships are valid all year at the VIFF Centre.
- Since most films are unrated, attendees generally need to be 18+. (At the Rio Theatre and Fifth Avenue Cinemas, guests must be 19+ due to liquor licensing.)
- All films are presented in their original language with English subtitles.
Other Information
Whether you’re a fan of international cinema, Canadian filmmaking or independent productions, the Vancouver International Film Festival is a must-see event that transforms the city each fall.
Check out the Vancouver International Film Festival website for more information about the event.
To learn about a film-related attraction, see our Flyover at Canada Place article.
Other websites you might also find of interest are VancouversBestPlaces.com and VancouversBestRestaurants.com.