Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) is a 17-day annual film festival held in late September through early October at multiple venues across downtown Vancouver. VIFF screens 200+ films from 70+ countries — including Canadian premieres, international features, documentaries, shorts, and special programs — making it one of the largest film festivals in North America. Tickets cost C$15 single screening or C$140-180 for festival passes. Most screenings happen at VIFF Centre on Seymour Street, the Vancouver Playhouse, and the Vancity Theatre.
This guide covers everything for visitors planning a VIFF trip — programming categories, ticket strategies, venues, scheduling tips, where to eat between screenings, and how to plan a 3-7 day VIFF visit.
Table of Contents
VIFF Quick Overview
- Duration: 17 days (late September – early October)
- Films screened: 200+
- Countries represented: 70+
- Single ticket: C$15
- Festival pass: C$140-180
- Main venue: VIFF Centre (Seymour Street)
- Best for: Cinephiles, film students, industry professionals
- Tickets on sale: Mid-September each year
When VIFF Happens
VIFF runs 17 days, traditionally beginning the last Thursday of September.
2026 expected dates:
- Festival: late September – mid October (17 days total)
- Tickets on sale: mid-September
- Festival passes: late August/early September
- Press & industry pre-screenings: 1-2 weeks before public
Confirm 2026 dates: viff.org for current programming.
VIFF Venues
VIFF screens films at multiple downtown venues.
Main VIFF Centre (1181 Seymour Street):
- VIFF’s home theatre
- Multiple screens
- Modern facilities
- Café and bar on-site
- Walking distance from most downtown hotels
Vancouver Playhouse (Hamilton at Dunsmuir):
- Larger capacity for galas
- Heritage venue
- Features galas, panels
Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour):
- Adjacent to VIFF Centre
- Smaller capacity
- Special screenings
The Centre in Vancouver (777 Homer Street):
- Largest venue
- Premieres and gala events
Programming Categories
VIFF organizes films into themed categories.
Major categories:
- Galas: High-profile premieres with celebrity attendance
- BC Spotlight: Regional productions
- Canadian Cinema: National premieres
- International Premiere: First North American showings
- Documentary: Feature-length non-fiction
- Shorts: Programs of short films
- Future//Present: Emerging Canadian voices
- True North: Indigenous filmmakers
- Cinema of Our Time: Contemporary international
- VIFF After Dark: Genre cinema (horror, thriller, action)
Special programs:
- Industry Days (panels, networking)
- VIFF Talks (filmmaker conversations)
- VIFF Immersive (VR experiences)
Ticket Strategy
VIFF tickets are reasonably priced but key screenings sell out.
Ticket types:
- Single ticket: C$15
- Senior/student/youth: C$12 with valid ID
- Members: C$13 (membership C$45)
- Galas/special events: C$25-50
How to buy:
- Online at viff.org (best for advance bookings)
- Box office at VIFF Centre (Seymour)
- Pre-festival ticket release: mid-September
- Daily walk-up sales for non-sold-out screenings
Sold-out strategy:
- Rush line: arrive 45 min early at venue for unclaimed/cancelled tickets
- Add to wishlist on viff.org for cancellation alerts
- Try less popular screening times (10 AM weekday, midnight)
Festival Passes
Festival passes are best value for serious film-goers.
Pass types:
- Festival Pass: ~C$180; access to all regular screenings
- 10-Pack: ~C$140; 10 single screenings
- 5-Pack: ~C$70; 5 single screenings
Pass holder advantages:
- Reserve seats in advance (typically 2 days before screening)
- Skip ticket lines
- Access lounge facilities
- Member-priced tickets to galas
Math: Pass pays for itself if you watch 13+ regular films at single-ticket prices.
How to Pick Films
With 200+ films, picking is the hardest part.
Strategies:
- Read the program guide: viff.org publishes detailed descriptions
- Watch trailers: Most films have trailers on the festival website
- Critic picks: Vancouver Sun, Georgia Straight, CBC, Variety publish recommendations
- Festival winners: Cannes, Toronto, Sundance winners often play VIFF
- Country focus: If you love Korean or Japanese cinema, search by country
- Director focus: Follow established or emerging directors
- Q&A screenings: Higher-priority for in-person experiences
Mix variety: Try one international drama, one documentary, one Canadian feature, one short program — each offers a different VIFF flavor.
Building Your Schedule
Scheduling is half the festival experience.
Day-by-day approach:
- Plan 1-3 films per day (more burns out)
- Allow 30-60 min between screenings (transit + bathroom + meal)
- Morning screenings (10 AM) usually less crowded
- Mid-day (1-3 PM) is family-friendlier
- Evening screenings (7-10 PM) typically most popular
- Late-night programming (10:30+ PM) for genre fans
Sample 3-day VIFF visit:
- Day 1: Opening gala + 1 evening film
- Day 2: 1 morning Canadian film + 1 afternoon documentary + 1 evening international
- Day 3: 1 morning short program + 1 afternoon international + closing screening
Food Between Screenings
Eating well between screenings is essential.
Quick lunches near VIFF Centre:
- JJ Bean Coffee (Yaletown): Quick coffee + sandwich
- Tacofino: Burritos, fast service
- Marutama Ramen: 15-min bowls
- Banh Mi Tres Bon: Quick Vietnamese sandwiches
Sit-down dinners:
- Earls Yaletown: Reliable; near venues
- Provence Marinaside: Yaletown waterfront
- The Keg: Reliable steakhouse near venues
- Joey: Multiple downtown locations
Late-night spots:
- Pho on Robson
- Megabite Pizza (Granville)
- Hawaiian places near Granville
VIFF Centre café: Coffee, light snacks, beer/wine.
Where to Stay
Stay close to VIFF Centre on Seymour Street.
Best VIFF-week hotels:
- The Burrard: 5-min walk from VIFF Centre; boutique design
- Sandman Suites Davie: 8-min walk; suites with kitchenettes
- Howard Johnson Vancouver Downtown: 5-min walk; budget
- Pacific Palisades: Robson; 10-min walk
- Times Square Suites: Robson; suite with kitchen
Booking: Hotels less crowded for VIFF than other festivals; book 4-6 weeks ahead.
Special Events
Beyond film screenings, VIFF hosts special events.
Notable special events:
- Opening Gala: Premiere film + reception (~C$150-250)
- Closing Gala: Final film + party
- VIFF Talks: Filmmaker conversations (free for pass holders)
- Industry Days: Panels, networking, screenings (industry pass required)
- VIFF Immersive: VR/360 experiences (limited tickets)
- VIFF Live: Live music + cinema events
Q&A Sessions & Filmmakers
Many VIFF screenings include filmmaker Q&A sessions afterward.
Q&A screenings:
- Marked in program with star or “+ Q&A”
- Director, cast, or producer answers questions
- Films typically more recent than other festival circuit
- 15-30 min Q&A after the film
Filmmaker advantages:
- Hear story behind the camera
- Ask questions of working filmmakers
- Take photos with directors
- Often sign autographs/books
Tip: Q&A screenings sell out faster — book early.
Tips for First-Timers
Strategies most VIFF first-timers wish they’d known.
- Get a 5-pack first time: Cheaper than full pass; commits you to 5 films
- Don’t overschedule: 2-3 films per day max
- Allow buffer time: Lines for popular films
- Bring layers: VIFF Centre runs cold
- Snacks/water: Cinemas sell concessions but pricey
- Phone off, not silent: Light from buzzing phones disturbs neighbors
- Read program before: Films are more rewarding with context
- Engage with Q&As: Best questions are short and specific
- Stay 30 min after: Conversations in the lobby afterward
- Try unfamiliar genres: VIFF is for discovery
- Track films you missed: Many will hit streaming/limited release later
- Don’t fear walking out: No shame in leaving a film that doesn’t connect
Related Vancouver guides
Keep planning with these guides:
VIFF FAQs
When is VIFF 2026?
VIFF traditionally runs 17 days from late September through early October. Specific 2026 dates published at viff.org. Festival typically opens last Thursday of September.
How much do VIFF tickets cost?
Single tickets C$15 (C$12 for seniors/students/youth with valid ID). Festival Pass ~C$180. 10-pack ~C$140. 5-pack ~C$70. Galas/special events C$25-50.
Where is VIFF held in Vancouver?
Main venue is VIFF Centre at 1181 Seymour Street. Other venues include Vancouver Playhouse, Vancity Theatre, and The Centre in Vancouver. All in downtown.
How many films does VIFF screen?
200+ films from 70+ countries, including Canadian premieres, international features, documentaries, shorts, and special programs.
Is VIFF worth attending?
Yes for cinephiles — VIFF is one of North America’s largest and most respected festivals. The mix of international features, Canadian films, and special programming offers exceptional value at C$15/film. Q&A screenings with filmmakers add tremendous value.
How do I buy VIFF passes?
Online at viff.org (release in late August/early September). Box office at VIFF Centre Seymour Street. Festival passes sell out fastest; book early.
What’s the difference between VIFF galas and regular screenings?
Galas are higher-profile premieres with celebrity attendance, larger venues (The Centre, Playhouse), receptions, and higher ticket prices (C$25-50). Regular screenings are typical theatre experiences at C$15/ticket.
Where do I stay near VIFF?
The Burrard, Sandman Suites Davie, Howard Johnson Vancouver Downtown, and Pacific Palisades are all within 5-10 min walk of VIFF Centre. Book 4-6 weeks ahead.
What’s the best way to plan a VIFF visit?
Plan 2-3 films per day; mix categories (international, documentary, Canadian, short); allow 30-60 min between films for transit + meals; eat near VIFF Centre between screenings.
Are VIFF films available to stream after the festival?
Some are; many international films have limited theatrical release later. Canadian films often play CBC Gem or Crave. Streaming-platform pickups happen 6-12 months later.
Related reading: Pair this with our fall in Vancouver, things to do in Vancouver, and where to stay.
