| VANCOUVER, B.C. (August 08, 2017) – Reflecting how today’s dynamic cinematic landscape is changing the way we both tell and experience stories, the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) announced today that the festival (September 28-October 13, 2017) will offer a full day of programming dedicated to digital-first creative storytelling in partnership with Buffer Festival. This partnership further advances the hugely successful ‘film plus’ model merging screenings, talks, workshops, exhibitions and events that launched in 2016.
Founded in 2013, Toronto’s Buffer Festival is the largest event for elevated YouTube content and showcases exclusive video premieres from the most acclaimed YouTube creators worldwide. In addition to video screenings, Buffer Festival features red carpets with YouTube stars, a formal awards gala and a creator day aimed at vaulting aspiring creators to the next level. The VIFF event will include screenings of Buffer Festival award winners with an intimate red carpet experience, and its own ‘Creator Day’ featuring panels and keynotes that will bring Vancouver creators together with technology providers and industry leaders. Full details will be released at the VIFF Media Launch, on September 6, 2017.
“Our partnership with VIFF is happening at the perfect time,” says Scott Benzie, CEO, Buffer Festival. “Buffer Festival has the dual mandate to celebrate the best in elevated digital storytelling and to enable both established and aspiring Creators to raise the quality of their work. To be bringing a Creator Day and have our inaugural awards winners screened at such a respected festival as VIFF is an honour for us and a testament to the progressiveness of VIFF’s management and programming team.”
Also announced was the VIFF LIVE music event, a five-night performance series that will fuse live music with inventive visual elements. VIFF LIVE brings an added dimension to the festival and celebrates the relationship between sound and vision.
VIFF invites BC musicians craving the opportunity to expand their creative lens and wow audiences by adding striking visuals to their performances to VIFF LIVE. The ‘Call for Submissions’ can be found here.
“In 2016, we reimagined the festival model by introducing ‘film-plus’ elements to our traditional programming, bringing new and existing audiences an opportunity to enhance their festival-going experience,” says Jacqueline Dupuis, Executive Director, VIFF. “These new elements and our partnership with Buffer Festival speak to VIFF’s continued and expanded commitment to creators, in various forms and career stages, to showcase and support the development of their work and connect with fans.”
Building on the success of its multi-experiential stream model, launched in 2016, the 36th Annual VIFF (September 28-October 13, 2017) will present films, talks, workshops and events that will bring audiences and creators together to celebrate, discuss and discover.
VIFF programming falls into the following streams:
Panorama – The world’s boldest creators and their exceptional works. The year’s most anticipated international films and new discoveries curated specifically for VIFF audiences.
Sea to Sky – A showcase of the inspired works emerging from the creative nexus that is British Columbia.
True North – A celebration of the extraordinary creativity and craft being demonstrated by Canadian storytellers from coast to coast.
Impact – Uncompromising films and insightful discussions that spark action and change the way we see the world.
Next – Interactive screen-based experiences, talks and sessions with creative leaders designed to educate and inspire public and professional attendees alike.
Gateway – Journey into the compelling cinematic worlds envisioned by some of East Asia’s most adventurous artists.
M/A/D – Music, art and design receive their deserved big-screen treatment in this aesthetically alluring stream that’s enhanced by exhibitions and live performances.
ALT – Genre-bending features that defy traditional classification and creators who push short form storytelling to its limits.
The following events are currently scheduled for VIFF 2017:
New Frontiers Series: Virtual Reality – The latest storytelling technology to challenge creators. Sessions at this year’s VIFF will tackle the next big thing in consumer entertainment, VR, and introduce first-hand experiences from some of the world’s leading VR creators.
Industry Exchange – A dedicated forum exploring the future of digital entertainment. To include exclusive, first-come, first-served meetings, as well as dinners, lunches and cocktails with online commissioners, creators and top executives.
Creator Talks – From engrossing panel discussions to exclusive conversations, audiences will hear from some of the worlds’ leading creators and innovators as they share expertise on their craft.
Totally Indie Day – For emerging content creators, this tent pole Sea to Sky industry event, focuses on skill building in financing, distribution, marketing, audience engagement and more.
Weekly announcements of confirmed titles and programmed events commence this week.
Tickets start at $15. Passes and ticket packs are available online on August 28th, with single tickets available online September 7th and in-person at the Vancity Theatre Box Office starting September 14th. All tickets will be available for purchase at viff.org.
VIFF would like to thank Premier Partner Telus, Premier Supporters Telefilm Canada and Creative BC as well as our other generous partners, sponsors and suppliers.
Each year VIFF relies on the hard work of more than 1,000 volunteers to assist in running the festival. Volunteer registration is now open at viff.org/volunteer
-30- |
