Festival History

The inaugural Vancouver Student Film Festival (VSFF) was held on Tuesday August 23rd, 2005 at the Pacific Cinematheque.   The sold-out event showcased twelve of Vancouver’s most successful post-secondary student filmmakers and graduates.

In 2006, the VSFF expanded to include 17 films over two days, with the first-ever trade forum portion of the festival occurring on Saturday, September 16. A panel of 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.

After a 29-film-filled festival on May 24, 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.

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.

Dedicated to showcasing BC’s best shorts, the VSFF organizers are hoping to continue raising awareness for both emerging and established film, video and new media talent throughout the province.