Vancouver International Film Festival 2026: Dates, Venues & Guide

Vancouver’s biggest celebration of cinema returns this October as the Vancouver International Film Festival marks its 45th year. From October 1 to 11, 2026, film lovers can catch movies from around the world, Canadian and Indigenous cinema, documentaries, short films, live performances, filmmaker conversations and special events at venues across the city.

With more than 160 films and 85 shorts on the 2026 program, VIFF is one of the city’s biggest annual cultural events and a great way to experience Vancouver’s film scene as the fall season gets underway.

11 Days of Films From Around the World

VIFF brings a huge range of cinema to Vancouver, from international features and documentaries to Canadian productions, Indigenous stories and short films.

The 2026 program includes films from a wide range of countries and filmmaking traditions, giving audiences plenty of opportunities to see movies that may not otherwise have a long theatrical run in Vancouver.

There is also plenty of variety within the program itself. Whether you enjoy documentaries, international dramas, experimental cinema, new Canadian films or shorter productions, the festival schedule offers different ways to build a personal lineup.

More Than a Trip to the Cinema

VIFF is about more than simply sitting down for a movie. The festival program also includes VIFF Live performances, VIFF Talks, filmmaker appearances, Q&As and special events.

Some screenings give audiences the opportunity to hear directly from filmmakers and other guests, while special presentations add live performance and discussion to the traditional movie-going experience.

For example, the 2026 program includes a special presentation of David Lynch’s Eraserhead accompanied by a live performance from experimental rock band Xiu Xiu at The Rio Theatre.

VIFF Takes Place Across Vancouver

One of the best parts of attending VIFF is that the festival is spread across several Vancouver venues. The schedule includes screenings and events at the VIFF Centre, The Cinematheque, The Rio Theatre, The Park Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse, International Village, SFU Woodwards and other locations.

This makes it easy to combine a film with an evening around the neighbourhood where it is being shown.

A screening at The Park Theatre puts Mount Pleasant and Main Street nearby, while a movie at The Rio Theatre can be paired with an evening along Commercial Drive. Downtown venues put restaurants, cafés, shops and Vancouver’s waterfront within easy reach before or after a screening.

What to Know Before Going

Because VIFF has such a large program, checking the schedule before heading out is important. Individual films can have different screening dates, times and venues, and some events may have limited ticket availability.

The official festival program allows visitors to search by date, venue, genre, country, language and other categories, making it easier to find something that fits a particular evening.

Make a Night of It

VIFF can easily become more than a movie on the calendar. Pick a screening in a Vancouver neighbourhood, grab dinner nearby and spend the evening exploring before heading into the theatre.

October is also a particularly good time for this kind of Vancouver outing. With shorter days and cooler evenings, an evening of film, food and conversation makes for a comfortable fall night in the city.

Planning Your Visit

The full VIFF 2026 program includes screening times, venues, ticket information and details about special events.

For the latest schedule and tickets, visit the official Vancouver International Film Festival website:

VIFF 2026 Official Program

With 11 days of international cinema and events happening throughout Vancouver, the 45th Vancouver International Film Festival offers plenty to see from October 1 to 11, 2026.