VIFF executive director Jacqueline Dupuis says there will be a ‘big shift’ in the festival’s programming beginning this year.Darryl Dyck/The Globe and Mail
The Vancouver International Film Festival is changing the way it does (show) business – with a new structure to its annual event and year-round programming, as well as an organizational restructuring.
The driving force behind the move to what festival organizers call a "film plus model" is the recognition of VIFF's programming beyond film.
"For so long, we've been known for just film from a festival perspective, but year-round and in the industry conference we do so much around technology … television and various aspects of digital media," executive director Jacqueline Dupuis said.
"So yes, we show films, but the 'plus' is all of … the different ways we can explore content."
VIFF programming will now fall into eight "multi experiential" streams, which offer curated screenings with related talks and events.
They include Next – virtual reality, gaming, music and emerging digital platforms; True North for Canadian work; Must See BC for British Columbia work; and Gateway, focusing on East Asia.
"We'll be programming within these streams throughout the entire year and the festival will be a potent version of what this experience looks like," Ms. Dupuis said. "It's a big shift."
Despite an increased focus beyond film, she said the number of films screening at VIFF will not be cut.
This year's festival will also see the launch of the VIFF Hub. Located at the Vancouver International Film Centre, the hub will offer interactive screen-based experiences, including virtual reality, talks with creators and industry leaders and late-night live music with video components.
Events involving content creators will be more accessible to the public, rather than restricted to delegates attending the industry conference that takes place during the festival. Ms. Dupuis pointed to the 2013 public talk with Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, a huge success because of the series' wild popularity but also the event's timing – it took place just two days before the highly anticipated series finale.
In terms of the organization, VIFF has been restructured to consolidate the film festival, industry conference and film centre teams. Ms. Dupuis said no jobs have been lost in the streamlining.
The 35th annual VIFF takes place Sept. 29 to Oct. 14; film announcements are expected to begin rolling out this week.
Marsha Lederman