Mandate
The Vancouver Short Film Festival (VSFF) is committed to the celebration of the vibrant community of short film, video, and animation artists on the Canadian West Coast. We hope to build ties between emerging and established professionals, and provide an arena where all short filmmakers, including students, can screen their films in public and support their fellow colleagues. Our ultimate goal is to connect short filmmakers to a broader audience in order to grow the local film industry.
Alumni Testimonials
"The Vancouver Short Film Festival is an awesome event run by a wonderful group of people. The screening of films had a wicked vibe and there were a lot of cool filmmakers around that afforded great opportunities to network and hear some new great ideas. There are a lot of prizes available which was really fun to compete for and the experience has inspired me to work on another short to hopefully hit this festival again." - Jereme Watt, Director, Everything's Coming Up Rosie (Multi-award winning 2010)
"I've been fortunate enough to be a part of the Vancouver Short Film Festival three times now and one thing that is undeniable is that the selection of short films and caliber of talent, both from emerging and professional filmmakers, is extraordinary, and gets better with each year. With a focus on good storytelling, an amazing screening facility, an ability to show your film to a large audience of peers and spectators alike, and prizes specifically chosen for each category, it's not one to miss. Best of all, you see many of the same filmmakers re-entering year after year which demonstrates how this festival isn't just looking for great films, but ongoing relationships with everyone involved. I can't wait to be a part of it again!" - Marshall Axani, Writer/Director, Lost and Found (2006), Three AM (Best Screenplay 2008), The Light of Family Burnam (Multi-award winning 2009), Judge 2010
"Kudos to you. Congrats on separating yourself from those that 'talk' from those that 'do.' We very much appreciate and believe in festivals like yours. And people like you." - Colin Cunningham, Director, Centigrade (2009)
"I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Vancouver Short Film Festival (VSFF) for supporting my film Let's Play Boccia! as well as many other short films by independent filmmakers. The credibility and exposure to my film gathered through this festival would not have been possible anywhere else. To be able to showcase my film in the beautiful and packed Vancity Theatre at the Vancouver International Film Centre, with industry professionals and peers in attendance, was both an honor and privilege. Winning the Women In Film & Television (WIFTV) Best Female Director Award was a huge benefit to my career as well. It gave me the opportunity to attend the WIFTV Producer's Workshop where I got to meet, network and learn from industry professioals. It is also from the WIFTV that I've met many talented professionals that I've had the pleasure of working with in subsequent projects. The VSFF certainly opens doors for independent filmmakers like myself who are struggling to navigate the local film industry and find ways in which to continue telling stories through the power of the cinema. More power to the VSFF and its work to support local independent filmmakers!" - Angelina Cantada, Director, Let's Play Boccia! (2009)
"On behalf of myself and the rest of the production team, I just wanted to thank you for including our film in this year's festival. It was a great evening and we all enjoyed the screenings very much. It is always great be a part of a festival here at home, and were so honored to be part of such a great selection of films. We hope that we will be able to be part of such a great event for short filmmakers in the years to come. As well, we are so happy to be awarded the People's Choice Award for a student film, and truly feel that it is one of the best awards a film can receive. Again, thank you for everything." - Shaun McKinlay, Director, The Escape of Conrad Lard-Bottom (2009)
"I absolutely plan my visits out west to coincide with your annual short film festival...As a serious actor who has moved back to Montreal, I take pleasure in taking in the festival and saying hi to 'tout le gang' and treasure my exposure in the previous festival shorts, The Light of Family Burnam & Three AM. Now you can't keep me away from the festival whether I'm on the screen or in the front row seat! Can't wait!" - Doug Price, Best Actor 2008, Three AM
History
- 2005: The inaugural Vancouver Student Film Festival (VSFF) was held on Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 at the Pacific Cinematheque. The sold-out event showcased 12 of Vancouver's most successful post-secondary student filmmakers and graduates.
- 2006: The VSFF expanded to include 17 films over two days, with the first-ever panel portion of the festival. Five established industry professionals provided their expertise on the nuances surrounding the topic "How to Make Your Next Short Film," fostering discussion with aspiring individuals. Held at the VIFC Vancity Theatre, the festival's spectatorship doubled in size, with the Saturday evening screening selling out.
- 2008: The VSFF partnered with the Ffresh Student Moving Images Festival of Wales, UK, which showed the top 3 VSFF films in the 2009 Ffresh festival. Movieola: The Short Film Channel also sponsored a re-screening of the top 5 VSFF films.
- 2009: The Board decided to change the name and nature of the festival into Canada's first Vancouver Short Film Festival, to accommodate BC's professional artists in 2009. With the help of a rejuvenated Board of Directors, the VSFF received 140 entries and screened 32 films on October 23-24, 2009, including its first international screening titled "World's Best Shorts," along with another industry panel.
- 2010: We celebrated our fifth year with 45 short films, a panel, our second international screening, a retrospective screening of the top films in our five years, two parties, and a free screening co-presented by the National Film Board of Canada.