VIBFF 2025

Black in School (HLX)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 2025-12-09 19:30 (Asia/Krasnoyarsk) | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

A young Black girl navigates high school while dealing with the death of her father, moving to a new city, and adolescent pressures.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish

PremiereCalgary Premiere

Duration10’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesNo Subtitles

CastHabiba Diallo

Synopsis

A young Black girl navigates high school while dealing with the death of her father, moving to a new city, and adolescent pressures.

Directed by

Habiba Diallo

Habiba Diallo

“Habiba Diallo is the author of the book “BlackIn School”. She is the inaugural winner of the Senator Don Oliver Black Voices Prize and has received other literary accolades. The Government of Canada recognized her as an outstanding woman in 2019.

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Black and Blue (TOR)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 2025-12-09 19:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

Garnetta Cromwell, a blues and soul musician of african descent has a lifelong dream of becoming a professional blues singer.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish

PremiereOttawa Premiere

Duration8’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesNo Subtitles

CastAkanbi Kehinde

Synopsis

Even though she had temporary deafness atthe ripe age of 5 from lying on the floor and putting her ear to the speaker so she could listen to Aretha Franklin’s voice, she didn’t see it as an obstacle but instead as a revelation that singingis her calling. Garnetta wants the world to hear her voice. She wants to promote and inspire theyounger generation of blues artists regardless of their race or gender. But as we all know, theworld always has something different planned for us.

Directed by

Akanbi Kehinde

Akanbi Kehinde

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

My Neighbour Taybah (TOR)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 2025-12-09 19:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

Upon discovering that her lifelong next-door neighbour of over twenty years, Taybah, has never explored what the 6ix has to offer, our director launches a two-day adventure with her to show her what she’s been missing.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish

PremiereCalgary Premiere

Duration8’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesFrench

CastAhmed Libin

Synopsis

Upon discovering that her lifelong next-door neighbour of over twenty years, Taybah, has never explored what the 6ix has to offer, our director launches a two-day adventure with her to show her what she’s been missing.

Directed by

Ahmed Libin

Ahmed Libin

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Traces of Home (OTT)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 2025-12-09 19:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

This short film tells the deeply personal and emotional journey of a father who made the life-altering decision to immigrate to Canada from Congo with his family.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageFrench

PremiereOttawa Premiere

Duration8’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesEnglish Subtitles

CastDorcas Tabitha Kanane

Synopsis

This short film tells the deeply personal and emotional journey of a father who made the life-altering decision to immigrate to Canada from Congo with his family. Narrated from his perspective, it dives into the challenges and obstacles he faced while fleeing his home country. The story balances emotional depth with a touch of humor, ensuring the audience is moved without being overwhelmed by the harsh realities of life in Congo

Directed by

Dorcas Tabitha Kanane

Dorcas Tabitha Kanane

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Double Combat (MTL)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 2025-12-09 19:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

This short documentary delves into the last week of training camp for Jean Pascal, ex-light heavyweight world champion at 41, who aspires to become the best in his category again.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish

PremiereOttawa Premiere

Duration10’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesFrench

CastJonathan St-Armand

Synopsis

This short documentary delves into the last week of training camp for Jean Pascal, ex-light heavyweight world champion at 41, who aspires to become the best in his category again.

Directed by

Jonathan St-Armand

Jonathan St-Armand

Self-taught actor, Jonathan has appeared in several series (Toute la vie, Indéfendable…), in popular plays like Ladies Night, and also on the big screen in The Fall of Sparta and A Revision. As a writer and screenwriter, he has directed two short films set to premiere in 2025.

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Strike The Iron / Battre le Fer (MTL)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 2025-12-09 19:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

After immersing himself in the street life, Racci finds redemption through his passion for sports, which he shares with his community to forge a better future, breaking the metaphorical bars that surround his world.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageFrench

PremiereCalgary Premiere

Duration11’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesEnglish subtitles

CastBruno Dramatik

Synopsis

After immersing himself in the street life, Racci finds redemption through his passion for sports, which he shares with his community to forge a better future, breaking the metaphorical bars that surround his world.

Directed by

Bruno Dramatik

Bruno Dramatik

Jocelyn Bruno, aka Dramatik, is the recipient of two Félix awards with his rap group, Muzion. He has directed award-winning short films, notably at the Bushwick Film Festival 2024, and benefited from around ten official world selections. His profound storytelling make him a playwright of his environment.

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Away From Home (TOR)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 2025-12-09 19:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

Determined to protect international students from escalating vulnerabilities in Canada—a country that once “embraced” them—an award-winning global leader, formerly an international student, teams up with community leaders and academics to speak out on the value of these students and uncover how the system isn’t broken but rather designed this way.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish

PremiereOttawa Premiere

Duration8’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesNo Subtitles

CastToffy Olowo

Synopsis

Determined to protect international students from escalating vulnerabilities in Canada—a country that once “embraced” them—an award-winning global leader, formerly an international student, teams up with community leaders and academics to speak out on the value of these students and uncover how the system isn’t broken but rather designed this way.

Directed by

Toffy Olowo

Toffy Olowo

is a Nigerian-Canadian writer and director from Toronto. Despite the expectations of pursuing a medical career, Toffy, who graduated with First Class Distinction, decided to follow her passion for the arts. She embarked on a journey through modelling and content creation before realizing her deep-seated desire to leave her mark in the world of film.

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Dreaming in the West (TOR)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 2025-12-09 19:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

“Dreaming in the West” explores the Canadian dream for Black immigrant artists in our socioeconomically imbalanced world.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish

PremiereCalgary Premiere

Duration8’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesNo Subtitles

CastBlessing 0. Nwodo

Synopsis

“Dreaming in the West” explores the Canadian dream for Black immigrant artists in our socioeconomically imbalanced world. Following a Nigerian Storyteller, and a Sudanese Musician who rejects smartphone technology to highlight the human cost of cobalt mining in Congo, the film unpacks the struggle to sustain art in a society that often devalues it.

Directed by

Blessing 0. Nwodo

Blessing 0. Nwodo

Blessing O. Nwodo is a Toronto-based, multidisciplinary storyteller and feminist activist. Her work spans a diverse range of mediums, including immersive art exhibitions, documentaries, films, sonic storytelling, and published fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Mikerlande: L’Exil de la Mémoire du Griot (MTL)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 2025-12-09 19:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

Exiled after Haiti’s political struggles of the 90s, Mikerlande—a former activist and now entrepreneur—rekindles memories of resilience and commitment.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish

PremiereOttawa Premiere

Duration10’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesFrench

CastRonaldo Myrthil

Synopsis

Exiled after Haiti’s political struggles of the 90s, Mikerlande—a former activist and now entrepreneur—rekindles memories of resilience and commitment. Through griot, she shares a story of struggle, legacy, and strength, bridging past and present to preserve her heritage.

Directed by

Ronaldo Myrthil

Ronaldo Myrthil

Ronaldo Myrthil, a Haitian filmmaker based in Canada, explores diasporic narratives and cultural identities, highlighting Haitian resilience through his short film about Mikerlande Metellus, exiled since 1991. A former participant in entrepreneurship competitions and a professional in the banking sector, he combines cinema and community engagement to preserve collective memory.

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

What we talk about, When we talk about Blackness (VANC)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 2025-12-09 07:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

Beneath the soft glow of a theater stage, a conversation unfolds — an unraveling of stories tethered to history, shaped by places, and refracted through memory.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish

PremiereOttawa Premiere

Duration11’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesNo Subtitles

CastMickey Semera

Synopsis

Beneath the soft glow of a theater stage, a conversation unfolds — an unraveling of stories tethered to history, shaped by places, and refracted through memory. Words echo silence as the stage becomes a mirror, reflecting what is seen, what is unseen, and what is felt. A contemplation of the liminal..

Directed by

Mickey Semera

Mickey Semera

Mickey Semera (he/him) is an independent filmmaker and an MA student in Cinema and Media Studies at UBC. His research interrogates blackness and colonialism through examinations of the temporal structures of films and archives.

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

VIBFF2025 Being Black In Canada (In Theatre)
2025-12-06 17:00 - 19:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
VIBFF 2025 Being Black In Canada (In Theatre)

West Lodge Redemption (TOR)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Black in School (HLX)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

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

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Relentless Hurdles / Resilient Hearts (HLX)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Double Combat (MTL)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Under Pressure (HLX)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Strike The Iron / Battre le Fer (MTL)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Self Actualization (VANC)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Away From Home (TOR)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

What we talk about, When we talk about Blackness (VANC)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Dreaming in the West (TOR)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Fertilizer (HLX)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Black and Blue (TOR)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

My Neighbour Taybah (TOR)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Traces of Home (OTT)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Lemon Lime (OTT)

Being Black in Canada, Film Selection, VIBFF2025 Events

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Sierra's Gold (In Theatre & Online)
2025-12-06 15:00 - 2025-12-09 16:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
In theaters December 6, @3:00pm.
Available online December 5-9.

Co-presented by

Storyline

Sierra’s Gold is a dark comedic journey that delves into themes of self-discovery and the “shocking revelation” that one’s true worth is always within.

GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BUY FILM TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountrySouth Africa

LanguageZulu,
Afrikaans

PremiereBritish Columbia

Duration93’min

GenreNarrative Feature

Year2024

SubtitlesEnglish

CastNontshokweni,
J. Strydom,
T. Thiko

Synopsis

Sierra, an eccentric young black visual artist in Johannesburg, discovers she’s pregnant. Tiro, the boyfriend, presents Sierra with a hard choice: abort or lose him forever. Sierra consumes a strange concoction designed to abort but instead it bestows her with the inexplicable ability to excrete gold coins.
What follows is an uproarious and darkly comedic chain of events as Skorra, a Pawn shop owner and his henchmen invade Sierra’s home with the hope of extracting the gold coins. Her loft, once a sanctuary of artistic expression, morphs into an unexpected battleground of wits and resolve, as everyone fights for what they want and the pursuit of riches, ultimately spirals into a deadly showdown. A riveting exploration of love, desperation, and the unimaginable consequences of choice.

Directed by

Adze Ugah

Adze Ugah

Adze Ugah’s foray into the film making began after obtaining a Diploma in Motion Picture Production at the National Film Institute, Jos, Nigeria.

Trailer

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Fou (Crazy) (In Theatre & Online)
2025-12-06 14:50 - 2025-12-09 15:00 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

A hyper-religious Haitian grandmother cooking for her prayer night gets stuck watching a spunky preteen with an identity disorder.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

SHORT FILMS TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryUnited States

LanguageCreole,
French,
English

PremiereCanada

Duration13’min

GenreNarrative Short

Year2025

SubtitlesEnglish

CastKerline Alce,
Tarah Nerette

Synopsis

A hyper-religious Haitian woman, Foufoune, is prepping food for her prayer night when she discovers her hot peppers have spoiled. On her rush to replace them, her son drops off Fani, his spunky daughter with an identity disorder, whom Foufoune reluctantly agrees to watch. When Fani keeps ordering food from delivery apps while cycling through her alters, Foufoune grows frustrated and tries to keep her out of the kitchen. A clash over papaya juice makes Fani sick, prompting Foufoune to reflect and try to understand her. She bonds with Nini, a Kreyòl-speaking alter, and together they find a creative way to replace the missing peppers. By the time her church friend arrives, Foufoune and Fani have not only finished the meal but forged an unexpected connection.

Directed by

Gabriyèl Barlatier

Gabriyèl Barlatier

Gabi Barlatier is a Haitian-American actor and filmmaker. She’s trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, as well as Terry Knickerbocker Studios.

Trailer

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Can You Feel It Now? (In Theatre & Online)
2025-12-06 14:40 - 2025-12-09 14:50 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

In a speculative future, a First Nations Welcomer and an Arrivant from the African Diaspora redefine first contact, weaving a tapestry of solidarity and healing through their poetic exchange.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

SHORT FILMS TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish
African Languages

PremiereBritish Columbia

Duration9’min

GenreNarrative Short

Year2025

SubtitlesEnglish

CastC. Lafortune
R. Y. Ekundayo

Synopsis

”Set in a speculative future on Turtle Island, this poetic short follows the Welcomer, a vessel of First Nations resilience, and the Arrivant, a traveller from the African diaspora. As ancestral dreams shape reality, their paths converge to reimagine First Contact – not as a clash, but as a shared act of kinship and healing.
Through rhythmic storytelling rooted in Afrofuturism and Indigenous Futurism, they forge a sanctuary of solidarity, where Black and Indigenous futures are entwined in resistance, memory, and hope.”

Directed by

Isak Vaillancourt

Isak Vaillancourt

Isak Vaillancourt is an award-winning director, multidisciplinary artist, and communications professional of Somali-French ancestry, whose practice spans photography, filmmaking, and arts-based programming. He is currently based out of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Sèyí Àjàyí (In Theatre & Online)
2025-12-06 14:15 - 2025-12-09 14:35 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

In the stylized African nation of Alkebulan, a brilliant scholar discovers her fiancé’s secret engagement and takes spectacular revenge, earning the recognition she always deserved in an unexpected way.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

SHORT FILMS TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryUnited States
Nigeria

LanguageEnglish,
Creole

PremiereBritish Columbia

Duration17’min

GenreNarrative Short

Year2023

SubtitlesEnglish

CastEllie Foumbi,
A. Ayolola,
B. Sadjo

Synopsis

In the whimsical Pan-African nation of Alkebulan, the brilliant yet overlooked scholar, Dr. Constance Moumie, learns that her fiancé, Sèyí Àjàyí, is engaged to Princess Ada on television. Heartbroken and humiliated, Constance devises a daring plan to expose her unfaithful lover at his engagement ceremony, reclaiming her dignity and the recognition she has long deserved.

Directed by

Abbesi Akhamie

Abbesi Akhamie

Abbesi Akhamie is a Nigerian-American writer/director and producer born in Heidelberg, Germany. With an MFA in Film from New York University, Abbesi’s work centers the experiences and stories of Africa and its diaspora. Her artistic journey began with the premiere of her debut short film, Still Water Runs Deep, at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it garnered critical acclaim and won the Best Student Short Film award at Aspen ShortsFest.

Trailer

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Spotlight Stories: Film Industry Q&A Series with Yusuf Fabs Cala
2025-12-06 14:00 - 15:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Description

Join us as we feature a diverse lineup of directors, producers, writers, and industry innovators who share their journeys, insights, and the challenges they’ve faced. Each session offers a behind-the-scenes look at their unique paths.
REGISTER FOR FREE NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE AMAZING JOURNEY

Register For Free

Nikko Harris

Nikko Harris

Host

Nikko’s journey is a tapestry of creativity and purpose. His experience spans art, writing, music, and production, reflecting his versatility as a creator. As a natural communicator, he has addressed audiences as a public speaker for the United Nations Peace Ambassador Foundation, sharing insights on peace advocacy and environmental conservation.
His passion for communication also extends to teaching, where he leads part-time classes in scene study and voice acting, mentoring the next generation of storytellers.
His screen credits include So Help Me Todd, Nancy Drew, and Laid, while his voice work features the animated series Jonny Jet Boy and the audiobook A Day With No Words.
Currently, Nikko is engaged with Canadian Pacifico Seaweeds, focusing on marketing and education to help revive ecosystems through conservation initiatives.

Yusuf Fabs Cala

Yusuf Fabs Cala

Speaker

A Canadian filmmaker, actor, writer, and entrepreneur whose work spans film, TV, music, and digital media. As founder and CCO of FC Entertainment Inc., he leads its film, events, and music divisions. His credits include Hitler’s Last Stand, Invisible Walls, and the feature Campus.
A CMPA member, he develops projects across Canada and East Africa, supports emerging talent, and contributes to major cultural events. Yusuf’s work emphasizes authentic storytelling and opportunities for underrepresented voices—young, gifted, and Black.

To...Or Not To! (In Theatre & Online)
2025-12-06 13:55 - 2025-12-09 14:05 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

Even love has questions it’s afraid to ask.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

SHORT FILMS TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryGhana

LanguageEnglish

PremiereBritish Columbia

Duration7’min

GenreNarrative Short

Year2025

SubtitlesFrench

CastP. Nkrumah,
Arion Amon

Synopsis

In the intimate stillness of their home, a couple stands at a quiet crossroads. Love remains—but so do unspoken fears, shifting dreams, and the weight of choices to come. To or Not To is a tragicomic meditation on loyalty, ambition, and the fragile questions we rarely voice in the comfort of commitment. With Shakespearean rhythm woven through a modern setting, the film captures the emotional tension that simmers beneath even the most devoted partnerships.

Directed by

Ramesh Jai Gulabrai

Ramesh Jai Gulabrai

Ramesh Jai Gulabrai is a Ghanaian-Indian filmmaker with over 20 years of production experience throughout West Africa. In 1996, after graduating from the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) in Accra, Ghana, Ramesh wrote and directed his first feature film, “6 Lovers of Melody,” which won third place in the cross-cultural category at the Black Film Makers Hall of Fame in Oakland, California.

Trailer

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Ownership (In Theatre & Online)
2025-12-06 13:20 - 2025-12-09 13:50 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

When an innocent invitation to an antiques reality show unearths shameful skeletons between two families – one black, one white – three multi-generational women are forced to take painful ownership of their present reality.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

SHORT FILMS TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryUnited States

LanguageEnglish

PremiereBritish Columbia

Duration30’min

GenreNarrative Short

Year2023

SubtitlesNo Subtitles

CastY. H. Lee,
J. Taini,
F. P. Roberts

Synopsis

”When an innocent invitation to an antiques reality show unearths shameful skeletons between two families -one black, one white – three multi-generational women are forced to take painful ownership of their present reality.
Tied by family obligation, Stella, an up-and-coming Black real estate agent, has been a caregiver to Betty Jean, a white, southern, 80-year-old shut-in. When Stella gifts Betty Jean with a pair of tickets to their favorite show, Antiques Trunk & Travel, Betty Jean is inspired to gift Stella with a family secret. Her gesture of misplaced kindness forces Stella to make a painful decision. Meanwhile, Betty Jean’s down-and-out daughter, Cherry, tries to regain what she considers to be her rightful place in the family and uproots more than she anticipates. ”

Directed by

Yvonne Huff Lee

Yvonne Huff Lee

Yvonne Huff Lee is Co-CEO of Lagralane Group, as well as an actor, creative investor, philanthropist and mother to three with her husband and co-founder Jason Delane Lee. Yvonne (who is of Black and Filipino descent) is inspired by the female experience and seeks to elevate both female-driven narratives and women’s perspectives.

Trailer

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Kansas (In Theatre & Online)
2025-12-06 13:00 - 2025-12-09 13:15 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

Torn between her families history of crime and a new way of living. One woman must decide which route to take after coming in contact with a cult leader.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

SHORT FILMS TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryUnited States

LanguageEnglish

PremiereWorld Premiere

Duration15’min

GenreNarrative Short

Year2024

SubtitlesNo Subtitles

CastE. Evangeline,
V. N. Butler,
L. Anderson

Synopsis

After being released from a mental hospital, one woman searches for a way to make money for her family’s illegal business. Along the way, she finds an underground organization that aims to start a revolution and overthrow a corrupt government. Torn between loyalty to her family and joining a coup, Kansas has to race against the clock to make life-altering decisions.

Directed by

Leah Derray

Leah Derray

Leah Derray is a writer/director from Indianapolis, IN currently based in Chicago. Leah earned an MFA in Film and Television Directing at DePaul University.

Trailer

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Action Beyond Awareness Forum: From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Black Voices in Vancouver Cinema
2025-12-06 12:30 - 14:00 | VIFF Studio Theatre, VIFF Centre, Seymour St, BC V6B 3M7, Vancouver, British Columbia, 1181, Canada
Description

This discussion will focus on the systemic challenges faced by Black filmmakers in the Vancouver film industry. Panellists will examine barriers such as funding disparities, representation in industry decision-making, and access to production resources. They will also showcase initiatives and collaborations that are breaking down these barriers and creating pathways for future filmmakers.
REGISTER FOR FREE NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE AMAZING JOURNEY

Register For Free

Host

Katrina Reynolds

Katrina Reynolds

Katrina Reynolds, comes from a storytelling background with 20+ years experience as a performer including a stint on Broadway and a wide range of film and television credits. She is also an award winning filmmaker and host of the Booked and Busy Filmmaking Podcast where she interviews accomplished multi-hyphenate Film Creatives.

Speakers

Mostafa Keshvari

Mostafa Keshvari

An award-winning Iranian-born Canadian WGC writer, DGC director, and CMPA producer based in Vancouver. His socially driven films have won 100+ awards, received DGC and Leo nominations, and screened at Oscar-qualifying festivals. Founder of BC Minorities in Film & TV, he aims to expand into television as a writer/director.

Stirling Bancroft

Stirling Bancroft

An award-winning cinematographer working internationally across independent and studio productions. A UBC graduate, his credits include Final Destination 6 (2nd unit), TIFF-screened films such as Public Schooled, FREAKS, and Monkey Beach, and Sniper: Assassin’s End for Sony. He holds Canadian, UK, Irish, and U.S. O-1 work status.

Sidartha Murjani

Sidartha Murjani

A Balinese-Canadian storyteller and the Executive Director and Senior Programmer of the Sundar Prize Film Festival. A Vancouver Film School alumnus, he was the Director of Feature Programming for the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, He served in the Board of Directors at the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival. His production company Timelessstoriesfilms creates narratives that transcend time.

Inside B.C.’s Film Landscape: A Conversation with the Deputy Director of the BC Film Commission at Creative BC
2025-12-06 11:00 - 12:30 | VIFF Studio Theatre, VIFF Centre, Seymour St, BC V6B 3M7, Vancouver, British Columbia, 1181, Canada
Description

Join Katharine Pavoni, Deputy Director of the BC Film Commission at Creative BC for an insightful discussion on how the film commission supports and develops British Columbia’s motion picture industry.
REGISTER FOR FREE NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE AMAZING JOURNEY

Register For Free

Dean Redman

Dean Redman

Moderator

Dean Redman, born in Birmingham to Jamaican parents, is a highly accomplished actor with over 100 film, television, and voice credits. Known for major roles in Hollywood blockbusters such as Warcraft and War for the Planet of the Apes, his background in martial arts, weapons, and stunts has shaped his dynamic screen presence.
Dean has appeared in numerous hit series including Virgin River, Superman and Lois, and Stargate SG-1, as well as Hallmark and Lifetime films. His distinctive voice features in projects for Marvel, Ninjago, Black Lagoon, and more. He is currently in pre-production on multiple film and voice projects.

Katharine Pavoni

Katharine Pavoni

Speaker

Katharine Pavoni is the BC Film Commission at Creative BC’s Deputy Director and is responsible for oversight and delivery of the film commission’s operations and services relevant to BC’s major strategic initiatives including, but not limited to, Reel Green, Creative Pathways and Regional Initiatives. She supports the stewardship of industry engagement and meaningful progress in green standards, inclusive practices and professionalism throughout the industry and stands in as the Acting BC Film Commissioner when required in their absence.
Katharine brings more than 15 years of film and television production experience across a variety of roles and functions, and other recent roles have included Director of Industry Programs and Services with Actsafe, the entertainment industry’s health and safety association, and as a key creatives’ agent with Meridian Artists.

West Lodge Redemption (TOR)
2025-12-06 05:00 - 2025-12-09 19:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

Nestled in Parkdale, Toronto, West Lodge Apartments stands as a testament to endurance and hardship.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BBIC 2025 TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish

PremiereCalgary Premiere

Duration10’min

GenreShort Doc

Year2024

SubtitlesNo Subtitles

CastTasha Gray

Synopsis

Nestled in Parkdale, Toronto, West Lodge Apartments stands as a testament to endurance and hardship. This film delves into the lives within these walls, from the battles of disrepair and crime to the inspiring solidarity in the face of adversity. Built in 1964, follows the journey of West Lodge’s transformation from a symbol of struggle to a beacon of hope, as residents and new investments reshape their shared future

Directed by

Tasha Gray

Tasha Gray

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Nya Does Nothing (In Theatre & Online)
2025-12-06 02:10 - 2025-12-09 02:20 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Co-presented by

Storyline

An overworked Chicagoan tries to resist the interruptions to her day off, going to extreme lengths to truly “do nothing.”
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

SHORT FILMS TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryUnited States

LanguageEnglish

PremiereCanada

Duration12’min

GenreNarrative Short

Year2025

SubtitlesNo Subtitles

CastM. V. Prentiss
Alexis Ward
Evan Fineout

Synopsis

Nya Does Nothing follows a Black Chicagoan trying to take a day off while ignoring the increasingly overwhelming temptations calling her out of her house. It’s a playful debut from director duo Erisa Apantaku and Jenny Casas about how hard it can be to commit to the rest you need.

Directed by

Erisa Apantaku

Erisa Apantaku

Erisa Apantaku is a queer, Black/biracial multimedia producer and uninvited guest on the lands of the Three Fires Confederacy (Ottawa, Ojibe, and Potawatomi Nations)

Jenny Casas

Jenny Casas

Jenny Casas is a senior radio editor for Reveal. She was previously a narrative audio producer at the New York Times.

Trailer

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Of Mud and Blood (Opening Film)
2025-12-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Vancity Theatre, VIFF Centre 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3M7, Canada
Only One Screening In -Theatre.

Co-presented by

Storyline

Of Blood and Mud documents the everyday existence of the inhabitants of the coltan mining village of Numbi in the Congo DRC, revealing the hardships and trials of a story from which we must not look away.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

BUY FILM TICKET

IN-PERSON PASS

ONLINE PASS

CountryDRC, France,
Germany

LanguageFrench,
English

PremiereBritish Columbia

Duration90’min

GenreDoc Feature

Year2024

SubtitlesEnglish

CastJustin, Safari,
Moise, Aziza

Synopsis

Numbi, a small village hidden in the heart of the mountains of the Congo DRC. Here, with bare hands, miners extract coltan, which will find its way – legally or not – to our industrialized world. For decades, this grey gold, essential for the manufacture of modern technological devices, has been the source of conflicts and ruthless exploitation.
By sharing their lives and intimacy, Of Blood and Mud documents the daily existence of the inhabitants of Numbi. Revealing their ordeals and their illusory hope of escaping their fate and one day benefiting from the riches of Congo.

Directed by

Jean-Gabriel Leynaud

Jean-Gabriel Leynaud

Jean-Gabriel Leynaud is a cinematographer and director. He is known for La femme de l’Antarctique (2000), Le Sang et la Boue (2025), and Infrarouge (2006).

Trailer

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!

Someone Like Me / Une Personne Comme Moi (Online Only)
2025-11-04 11:00 - 2025-12-09 14:00 | Online
Storyline

When a queer group of strangers unite to support a gay Ugandan man seeking asylum in Canada, unexpected challenges lead them down an emotional road together in search of personal freedom.
GET ACCESS NOW!
JOIN US AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

CountryCanada

LanguageEnglish

PremiereNo Premiere

Duration80’min

GenreCA Spotlight

Year2021

SubtitlesFrench

CastDrake

Synopsis

In Sean Horlor and Steve J. Adams’ feature doc Someone Like Me, Drake, a young gay man from Uganda, leaves behind everything he knows to attain the universal freedoms everyone deserves: to be who he is and love whomever he chooses without fear of discrimination, persecution, or violence.
A group of queer strangers unite to resettle Drake in Vancouver, but they are tasked with a year-long commitment to someone they’ve never met, and struggle with the challenging conditions of this support. Together, Drake and his sponsors embark on an emotional journey in search of personal freedom, revealing how in a world where one must constantly fight for the right to exist, survival itself becomes a victory.

Directed by

Sean Horlor

Sean Horlor

Sean Horlor is a filmmaker from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is a director, producer, and writer, best known for Satan Wants You (2023), Someone Like Me (2021), and The Day Don Died (2018).

Steve J. Adams

Steve J. Adams

Steve J. Adams is a Canadian LGBTQIA+ director renowned for his visually stunning and emotionally raw storytelling, showcasing the lives and experiences of.

Trailer

Get your Access Pass Now!

BUY YOUR IN-PERSON ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR ONLINE ALL ACCESS PASS

BUY NOW!

BUY YOUR OPENING FILM TICKET

BUY NOW!
