Founded in 1982, The Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society is a not-for-profit cultural organization that operates the internationally acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the year-round programming of the Vancity Theatre at the Vancouver International Film Centre.

Mission

Celebrating excellence in screen based storytelling.

Vision

We produce screenings, talks and events as a catalyst for a a diverse community to discover, discuss and share the creativity and craft of storytelling on screen.

Mandate

The Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society (“Society”) is a not-for-profit cultural society whose mandate is to:

1. Encourage understanding of the world’s cultures through the art of cinema, to foster the art of cinema, to facilitate the meeting in British Columbia of cinema professionals from around the world, and to stimulate the motion picture industry in British Columbia.
2. Operate an annual Vancouver International Film Festival, a public celebration bringing the best in contemporary Canadian and international cinema and retrospective programs to British Columbia.
3. Operate the Vancouver International Film Centre and Vancity Theatre, providing the public and film community with an excellent facility for the appreciation of cinema and related art forms throughout the year.

Vancouver International Film Festival

Both in terms of admissions and number of films screened, VIFF is among the five largest film festivals in North America. Screening films from more than 70 countries on nine screens, VIFF's program includes the pick of the world’s top film fests and many undiscovered gems. 

Three main programming platforms make our festival unique: we screen one of the largest selections of East Asian films outside of that region, we are one of the biggest showcases of Canadian film in the world and we have a large and vibrant documentary program.

In 2016, VIFF underwent a bold restructuring of its traditional film and industry programming. Reflective of an engaged community with an appetite for more than film, VIFF expands the frame to create multi-experiential streams that include curated screenings fused with related talks and events in a unique ‘film plus’ model. Drawing on a rich 35-year history of showcasing innovation in film, television and digital media, the new VIFF presents VIFF Hub, a central location for experiences beyond film including interactive screen-based experiences, talks, sessions and events with leaders in creative industries that are designed to educate and inspire public and industry attendees alike.

Attracting a large, attentive and enthusiastic audience the festival remains accessible, friendly and culturally diverse. As the critics say, VIFF is very much a festival “designed for the benefit of people who love films and people who make them.”

Vancouver International Film Centre + Vancity Theatre

“Best of The Best ... Vancity is the city’s top-rated all-round cinema.” —  Vancouver Sun 

“Cinephiles will think they’ve died and gone to heaven.” —  Time Out Vancouver 

“With the VIFC’s state-of-the-art projection and sound equipment, huge screen and plush seats with ample legroom and double armrests(to prevent elbow fighting), the designers have succeeded in creating something very like the optimal viewing environment.” —  Business Week 

Year-round, the luxurious Vancity Theatre at the Vancouver International Film Centre screens some of the best festival-style films from around the world. VIFF’s renowned programming team presents unique, relevant and entertaining films that might otherwise go unseen by Vancouver film-lovers.

In addition to being home to VIFF’s offices and the Vancity Theatre, The Vancouver International Film Centre – including its stunning atrium – is also available for private rental by individuals and organizations.

The Vancity Theatre has been designed to dazzle. Come and enjoy exceptional cinema the way it was meant to be seen!