Audiences + Creators Connect at VIFF 2017

The 36th edition of the Vancouver International Film Festival kicked off on a triumphant note with a gala screening of Mina Shum’s Meditation Park, the first Vancouver-shot and set feature to ever open the festival. The rapturous response of the capacity crowd set the stage for what would be an inspiring 16 days of audiences engaging with the world’s finest films and the creators responsible for them.

By the time our festival had wrapped, we’d showcased 321 films at 458 public screenings, including 29 World Premieres, 18 International Premieres, 56 North American Premieres and 65 Canadian Premieres. The lineup included favourites from the festival circuit plus discover- ies curated specifically for Vancouver film-lovers. More than 200 film- makers enhanced the screening experience for our audiences with enriching Q&As that delved into their motivations and creative pro- cesses. In turn, VIFF celebrated their achievements by offering more than $100,000 in prizes to both emerging and established filmmakers, ensuring that they’re able to continue creating such exceptional work.

Our unique Films+ programming continued to expand the frame by welcoming episodic, “digital-first” and virtual reality creators to take part in our annual celebration of cinematic storytelling. The master- minds behind celebrated television series such as and The Handmaid’s Tale participated in extended Creator Talks, while some of YouTube’s most innovative directors received the big screen treatment. Totally Indie Day highlighted evolutions in storytelling, in- dustry initiatives and distribution, while other conferences focussed on digital entertainment and virtual reality. With the Sustainable Production Forum remaining the preeminent event of its kind in the world, we added VIFF AMP, which highlighted the creative intersec- tion between film and music. Plus: we pumped up the volume with a live music series headlined by Kronos Quartet’s unforgettable live score for The Green Fog.

Our programming team is already uncovering more cinematic gems and inspiring experiences. We can’t wait to share them at VIFF 2018!

Jacqueline Dupuis EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Still Night, Still Light — Sophie Goyette, VIFF 2017

VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 3 Contents 321 Panorama ...... 6 Films Sea to Sky ...... 8 True North ...... 10 Impact ...... 12 75 Countries Gateway ...... 14 M/A/D ...... 16 ALT ...... 18 458 NEXT ...... 20 Screenings VIFF Year Round ...... 22 VIFF High School Program . . . .25 Awards ...... 26 130, 215 admissions Supporters ...... 28 VIFF 2017 Reach ...... 30 VIFF 2017 Financials ...... 31 475 Sponsors ...... 32 creators and industry Volunteers ...... 34 professionals welcomed to the city

1,521 High School students attend VIFF’s High School program

VISION Celebrating excellence in screen- based storytelling. Suck it Up — Jordan Canning, VIFF 2017

MISSION We produce screenings, talks and events as a catalyst for a diverse community to discover, discuss and share the creativity and craft of storytelling on screen. 2017 Report to Community

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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. This stream included Galas and Special Presentations, as well as the popular film series 7 8 Contemporary World Cinema, Spotlight on France and Documentaries.

1. VIFF partnered with Telefilm’s Movie Nights 7. Agnès Varda and JR’s Faces Places. Winner: Across Canada initiative to present Mina Shum’s Most Popular International Documentary, VIFF Vancouver-set/shot Meditation Park for our 2017; Oscar Nominee opening gala 10 8. John Carroll Lynch’s Lucky (USA) featured the 2. Opening Gala — Cast of Meditation Park final performance by legendary character actor 9 Harry Dean Stanton Ruben Östlund’s The Square (Sweden/Ger- 11 3. many/France/Denmark). Winner: Palme d’Or, 9. Alexandra Dean’s insightful portrait Bombshell: Cannes 2017; Oscar Nominee The Hedy Lamarr Story (USA)

4. Luca Guadagnino’s festival circuit standout Call 10. Robin Campillo’s BPM/Beats per minute (France). Me by Your Name (Italy/France). Oscar Nominee Winner: Grand prix, Cannes 2017

5. Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman’s hand- 11. VIFF hosted a binge-worthy marathon of Jane painted animated feature Loving Vincent Campion and Ariel Kleiman’s celebrated episodic (Poland/UK). Winner: Most Popular International series Top of the Lake: China Girl (New Zealand/ Feature, VIFF 2017; Oscar Nominee Australia)

6. The closing gala featured the Canadian Pre- miere of Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck (USA)

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14 16 Sea to Sky A showcase of the inspired works emerging from the creative nexus that is British Columbia. Presented by TELUS, the BC Spotlight film series invited the latest work by our province’s brightest filmmakers to take centre stage, and left audiences thrilled by our homegrown talent. 15 Presented by STORYHIVE, Totally Indie Day brought together emerging content creators 17 with industry professionals and offered targeted business, creative and personal development opportunities.

12. Stephen Campanelli’s deeply moving adaptation 17. Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers’ revelatory c’ sna m: 18 of Richard Wagamese’s Indian Horse. Winner: the city before the city, produced in collabora- 20 19 Super Channel People’s Choice Award, VIFF tion with the Musqueam First Nation and the 2017 UBC Museum of Anthropology

13. Indian Horse’s cast and crew took part in a high- 18. World Premiere — Shut Up and Say Something, ly emotional Q&A after their VIFF screening Melanie Wood’s documentary portrait of spoken word artist Shane Koyczan. Winner: Most Popu- 14. ’s accomplished debut Nev- lar Canadian Documentary, VIFF 2017 er Steady, Never Still won the Sea to Sky, BC Emerging Filmmaker and Emerging Canadian 19. An enthusiastic Shane Koyczan fan expressed Director awards at VIFF 2017 her admiration during a post-screening Q&A

15. Hepburn scored the Sea to Sky Award, which 20. World Premiere — LaTiesha Fazakas and Na- recognized the outstanding work of a female talie Boll’s Meet Beau Dick: Maker of Monsters, key creative on a BC-produced film an intimate portrait of the late internationally acclaimed Kwakwaka’wakw artist 16. Wayne Wapeemukwa’s unflinching documen- tary/narrative hybrid Luk’Luk’I. Winner: Best BC Film, VIFF 2017

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25 26 27 28 True North As part of VIFF’s ongoing commitment to Canadian creators, 19 Canadian feature films were selected to screen as part of the True North stream. Presented by Telefilm Canada, the True North stream celebrated the extraordinary creativity and craft being demonstrated by Canadian storytellers from coast to coast. The World’s largest Annual 29 Showcase of Canadian Cinema.

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22. Charles Officer’s involving, essential Unarmed Future//Present Series Verses. Winner: Best Canadian Documentary, VIFF 2017 Diverse independent filmmakers from across Can- ada who demonstrate originality and vision while 23. Lea Pool’s provocative Worst Case, We Get challenging the medium. Married

24. Denis Côté’s musclebound documentary/spec- 29. Cory Bowles’ incendiary satire Black Cop. Win- 31 tacle A Skin So Soft ner: Best Canadian Film, VIFF 2017 32 25. Pascal Plante’s disarming debut feature Fake 30. Blake Williams’ awe-inspiring 3D odyssey PRO- Tattoos TOTYPE

26. World Premiere — Fake Tattoos’ writer/direc- 31. After winning Emerging Canadian Director at tor and cast at the world premiere VIFF 16, Sofia Bohdanowicz returned with the endearing Maison du Bonheur 27. Master documentarian Alanis Obomsawin vis- ited VIFF with Our People Will Be Healed, her 32. Antoine Bourges’ Fail to Appear, a fascinating 50th film, and was introduced by Heritage Min- portrait of those who fall through the cracks. ister Mélanie Joly World Premiere

28. Jordan Canning’s wickedly funny, emotionally impactful dramedy Suck It Up .

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Impact Uncompromising films and insightful discussions that spark action and change the way we see the world. 2017’s selection ranged in subject matter from the depth of our 35 36 endangered oceans to the plight of refugees, going beyond the headlines to address 37 the personal, political and environmental challenges facing us. Crooked cops, political scandals, war photography and Aboriginal culture—those were just some of the highlights. With these films, audiences gained new knowledge, experienced different perspectives and learned about the paths toward change.

33. Karina Holden’s beautifully shot BLUE (Austra- 37. Barbet Schroeder’s The Venerable W (France/ lia) charted the drastic decline in the health of Switzerland) profiled a Buddhist monk who’s our oceans. Winner, Impact Award, VIFF 2017 also an unrepentant Islamophobe and avowed Trump admirer 34. Renowned artist/activist Ai Wei Wei’s stunning- ly cinematic documentary Human Flow (Germa- 38, 39, 40. Curated by Zena Harris of Green Spark ny/USA) was filmed in 40 refugee camps around Group, VIFF’s Sustainable Production Forum 38 40 the globe showcased Vancouver as a world-class desti- nation for sustainable screen-based industry 35. Karen Lynn Weinberg’s Keep Talking (USA) told production. The event brought together Indus- the inspiring story of four young women fighting try professionals, executives from Hollywood to revitalize the Kodiak Alutiiq language. World studios and representatives from global and Premiere local sustainability organizations for a day of 36. Reuben Atlas and Sam Pollard’s enthralling inspiration and learning about trends and op- ACORN and the Firestorm recounted the con- portunities to further sustainable production. troversy that swept up the activist-based associ- ation during the 2008 presidential election

VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 12 VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 13 39 41 42 43

44 45 Gateway VIFF’s Gateway Stream invited audiences to journey into the compelling cinematic worlds envisioned by some of East Asia’s most adventurous artists. Featuring the Dragons & Tigers film series, one of the largest collections of East Asian cinema exhibited outside of Asia, the Gateway stream showcased 26 features from 14 countries.

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41, 42. Netflix’s Okja (South Korea/USA) with an 47. Wilson Yip’s Paradox (Hong Kong) delivered 47 extended Q&A with superstar director Bong pulse-pounding action 49 50 Jong Ho (recipient of the VIFF Visionary Award) 48. Moon Changyong’s charming documentary Be- and Erik-Jan de Boer who supervised the special coming Who I Was (South Korea). Winner: Grand effects work done in Vancouver Jury Prize, Seattle 2017 43. Claire’s Camera (South Korea/France), the lat- 49. Robert H. Lieberman’s kaleidoscopic Angkor est from VIFF favourite Hong Sangsoo Awakens: A Portrait of Cambodia (Cambodia/ 44. Naoko Ogigami’s Close-Knit (Japan). Winner: USA) Teddy Jury Award, Berlin 2017 50. Huang Hsin-Yao’s darkly humorous The Great 45, 46. Nattawut Poonpirya’s thrilling Bad Genius Buddha+ (Taiwan). Winner: Audience Award, (Thailand) proved a hit with VIFF audiences. Taipai 2017 Winner: Best Director, Fantasia 2017

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56 M/A/D The M/A/D stream saw music, art and design receive their deserved big-screen treatment and allowed us unrivalled insights into the world’s great creative minds. 57 VIFF LIVE expanded the frame so that live music from rising talent could share the festival spotlight with the world’s finest cinema. The headliners of the inaugural edition of VIFF LIVE were none other than the legendary Kronos Quartet, who performed a live score for The Green Fog.

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Special Presentation 57. Louise Lecavalier in Motion (Canada), Raymond St-Jean’s look at the Canadian contemporary 51. The renowned Kronos Quartet performed a live dance icon score for , Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson’s The Green Fog - A San Francisco Fan- 58. The fascinating life of “starchitect” Bjarke Ingels tasia (USA), a reimagining of Hitchcock’s Vertigo is explored in Kaspar Astrup Schröder’s Big Time (Denmark) 52. Evan and Galen Johnson capped The Green Fog event with an irreverent Q&A 59. Thomas Riedelsheimer follows up his VIFF hit Rivers and Tides with Leaning Into the Wind: 53. Phil Grabsky, a frequent VIFF guest, returned Andy Goldsworthy (Germany) with David Hockney at the Royal Academy of the Arts (UK) 60-62. Presented by FACTOR, Radio Starmaker, Mu- sic BC and the BC Music Fund, VIFF LIVE show- 54. Jose Luis Lopez’s fascinating Bosch: The Gar- cased local export-ready acts and explored the den of Dreams (Spain/France) 58 interplay between visions and voices with collab- 55. Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi’s Chavela orations between visual artists and musicians. 60 61 62 (USA), a portrait of the late Mexican chanteuse 56. Chris Perkel’s Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives (USA) profiled the legendary record executive behind countless chart-toppers

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ALT Featuring genre-bending cinema that defied traditional classifications and creators who pushed short form storytelling to its limits, VIFF’s ALT stream wowed viewers with the possibilities presented by cinema that didn’t much care for playing by the rules. The 67 Altered States series invited 10 oddities to come out and play. Meanwhile, the Canadian 68 and International short film offerings immersed viewers in fully realized narratives in only a matter of minutes. And, the video art showcased in the newly launched MODES series explored how far the form of cinema was capable of bending.

Altered States Modes

63. Greg Zglinski’s trippy relationship drama Animals 69. Italian artist Quayola’s Jardins d’Été, a sumptu- ous homage to Monet’s gardens 64. Ryan Prows’ outrageous crime thriller Lowlife 69 70 70. Jonathan Vinel’s Martin Cries, ambitiously set 65. Tyler MacIntyre’s riotous satire Tragedy Girls in the confines of the video game Grand Theft Auto V. Short Films

66. Matthew Rankin’s singular The Tesla World Light

67. Heather Young’s low key drama Milk

68. Jennifer Chiu and Jean Parsons’ insightful Mem- ory of the Peace

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NEXT Presented by Creative BC, this forward-thinking stream accelerated the advancement 73 and innovation of creative industries in British Columbia. It fostered an exchange of ideas and business opportunities between sectors, companies and industry professionals as they explored new technologies, platforms and models for content creation.

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70, 71. Expanding Frontiers in Storytelling: Vir- 75, 76. New for 2017, VIFF AMP was a two-day sum- tual Reality — A look at the mediums of VR and mit focused on the creation of content for film AR, with demos and key insights from leading VR and television, including composed and source creators, companies, technologists and distribu- music, and the world of post-production. The tors. summit also included a VIFF LIVE Showcase, which featured some of BC’s finest export-ready 72. VIFF Industry Exchange — This dedicated artists performing for conference delegates event explored the future of digital entertain- from across North America. 76 75 ment. 78 77. Ane Crabtree, Costume Designer, The Hand- Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister for Canadian 73. maid’s Tale, with Sphenia Jones, an elder from Heritage, joined us in a Fireside Chat at VIFF’s Haida Gwaii Industry Exchange forum to talk about the Gov- ernment of Canada’s vision for cultural and cre- 78. New for VIFF 2017, a full day of program- ative industries in a digital world. ming and evening screenings from ’s ground-breaking Buffer Festival, the world’s 74. Creator Talks — Audiences were inspired by largest showcase of elevated YouTube content some of the world’s leading creators and inno- by “digital-first” filmmakers. vators as they shared their expertise and their craft. Jeremy Podeswa, Director, and Greg Mid- dleton Cinematogrpaher, Game of Thrones

VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 20 VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 21 77 825 Screenings 69,278 Attendance 100+ The VIFF Society supports over a hundred arts and cultural organizations.

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79 80 84 85 86 VIFF Ye ar 82 87 88 Round 100+ 825 69,278 Arts and cultural organizations Screenings Attendance supported by the VIFF Society

While commercial theatres reported a box office mini-festival Beyond 150: An Acknowledgement 79. Bong the elephant starred in Pop Aye, a Thai 84. and Bruce Greenwood engaged slump in 2017, Vancity Theatre enjoyed its stron- of Cinematic Territory, which included free discus- road movie about a man’s relationship with a audiences in a Creator Talk following the screen- gest community support in our 12-year history. The sions with leading Indigenous filmmakers Alanis pachyderm. Winner: Screenwriting Award, Sun- ing of The Sweet Hereafter. sophisticated audience we have fostered through Obomsawin and Amanda Strong, and screenings of dance Film Festival 85. Ann Marie Fleming’s Window Horses screened our eclectic programming has grown steadily and essential Indigenous filmmaking. 80. Local filmmaker Charles Wilkinson probed the as part of Creative Industries Week, along with demonstrated a taste for diverse big screen offer- Of course, contemporary international cinema was tensions in our local housing market in an exhibition of artwork from the film, and music ings. represented with a kaleidoscopic offering of in- Vancouver: No Fixed Address, one of the most and poetry performances. Our most popular films this year included documen- spired new work hailing from practically every cor- discussed films of the year. 86. Raoul Peck’s powerful James Baldwin docu- taries I Am Not Your Negro (based on an unfinished ner of the globe. On many occasions, this work was 81. Jane Goodall’s lifelong dedication to the study mentary I Am Not Your Negro resonated with James Baldwin novel), Kedi (which tailed Istanbul’s curated into thematic series that provided a context and well-being of orangutans inspired Brett our audiences (it was our best-attended film street cats) and Ex Libris – The New York Public Li- for audiences and ensured that their experience Morgan’s Jane. year-round). brary (from the evergreen Frederick Wiseman). Many was enhanced and understanding deepened with nonfiction screenings were augmented by panel each additional film they saw. 82. Rama Burshtein’s award-winning Israeli comedy 87. The fourth annual Vancouver Italian Film Festi- discussions that dove deeper into the films’ sub- The Wedding Plan featured Noa Koler as a bride val championed the best of Italian cinema, new As always we collaborated with many local film festi- ject matter, including Vancouver: No Fixed Address determined to go through with her wedding, and old. vals, arts institutions and non profits, including UBC, (which probed the current housing crisis) and The with or without a groom. SFU, Kwantlen, Dance in Vancouver, the Vancouver Stairs (which detailed harm reduction efforts and in- 88. Director Adam Bernstein provided insights into Italian Film Festival, the Coastal Jazz Festival, Latin spired a provocative panel with Downtown Eastside 83. In collaboration with Reel Canada, VIFF cele- crafting Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad in his American Film Festival, Vancouver Iranian Film So- activists). brated the work of indigenous filmmakers past, DGC Master Class. ciety, the Queer Film Festival, and the Vancouver present and future in the free-symposium Be- We celebrated Canadian Film Week in fine style, in- Foreign Film Society, to name but a few. Plus: We yond 150, part of our First Nations programming cluding free screenings of Atom Egoyan’s masterful partnered with the Director’s Guild of Canada for a this year. Sweet Hereafter and Exotica with Egoyan and star series of Master Classes that furthered the develop- Bruce Greenwood in attendance. Another collabo- ment of Vancouver’s creative community. ration with Reel Canada produced the remarkable

22 VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 23 89 91 VIFF welcomed 2,286 students to the Festival and Year Round matinee screenings where they had an opportunity to experience the very best in contemporary international cinema. 96

This year’s program featured youth exploring indigenous identity, the power of writing, the passage to adulthood and more. From Thailand to Toronto, Sweden to the States, this year’s films crossed borders and cultures to bring young audiences unique stories that spoke to 90 their generation. 94 95 97 96. A packed High School screening at Vancity Theatre

97. Unarmed Verses: This thoughtful docu- mentary about a community facing reloca- tion won the Best Canadian Feature Docu- mentary prize at Hot Docs and VIFF 2017.

98. Sami Blood: The Swedish coming-of-age 98 story resonated with students through its 92 93 nuanced portrayal of one girl’s struggles with indigenous identity and prejudice.

VIFF Year Round (cont) 99 89. Director Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers was present 93. The Vancouver Iranian Film Society partners to introduce screenings of c’ sna m: the city with VIFF on a monthly screening. before the city VIFF 94. Singer Marcus Mosely (The Sojourners) se- 90. A distinguished panel of urban planners and lected Sidney Poitier in A Raisin in the Sun for designers debated the lasting influence of his contribution to our longest running series, High School writer Jane Jacobs after a screening of Citizen Cinema Salon. Jane: Battle for the City. 95. Our first screening Rumble: The Indians Who Program 91. Estonian drama The Fencer was nominated Rocked the World, included a live performance 100 99. Koneline: Set in the traditional territory for the Golden Globe for Best Film in a Foreign from Stō:lo/St’át’imc artist Ostwelve. of the Tahltan First Nation, this film cap- Language. tured beauty and complexity as one of Canada’s vast wildernesses underwent 92. Artist and activist Beau Dick, subject of the BC- irrevocable change. The most requested made doc Meet Beau Dick: Maker of Monsters. VIFF high school film of 2017.

100. Colonization Road: Local indigenous filmmaker Colin van Loon was present to 101 introduce the packed screening, which was part of the annual Talking Stick Fes- tival.

101. Bad Genius: This global box office sen- sation proved to be a hit with VIFF audi- ences and students alike with its unique and highly entertaining depiction of the cost of cheating.

24 VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 25 2017 Awards + Competitions

BC Spotlight Awards Canadian Awards Impact Awards Sea to Sky Award Best Canadian Film Best BC Short Film VIFF Impact Award Presented by TELUS, this award recognized the out- A $10,000 award sponsored by the Directors Guild of One BC short film was awarded $5,000. A $5,000 prize, presented by the Lochmaddy Foun- standing work of a female key creative on a BC-pro- Canada was presented to one of the 16 nominated dation, was awarded to one of ten issues-oriented WINNER duced feature or short film. The winner received Canadian narrative features. documentaries in the Impact programming stream. Rupture (dir. Yassmina Karajah) $20,000 that could be used towards future produc- WINNER WINNER tions or further training. SPECIAL MENTION Black Cop (dir. Cory Bowles) BLUE (dir. Karina Holden) Memory of the Peace (dirs. Jennifer Chiu, Jean Par- WINNER JURY MEMBERS sons) JURY MEMBERS Kathleen Hepburn, Never Steady, Never Still Bracken Hanuse Corlett, Tracey Friesen, Ravi Mark Leiren-Young, Yves J. Ma, Tina Schliessler JURY MEMBERS SPECIAL MENTIONS Srinivasan Nick Citton, Alicia Eisen, Darcy Van Poelgeest Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, c’ sna m: the city before the city and Yassmina Karajah, Rupture.

JURY MEMBERS Kevan Funk, Taylor Hill, Harry Killas Emerging Canadian Director Best Canadian Short Film Audience Awards Super Channel People’s Choice Award The Directors Guild of Canada presented a $2,000 One Canadian short film received a $2,500 cash award to one of the ten nominated films that marked prize. WINNER Best BC Film Award the director’s first or second narrative feature. WINNER Indian Horse (dir. Stephen Campanelli) (dir. Phillip Barker) Awarded to a narrative feature, which received WINNER Shadow Nettes Kathleen Hepburn, Never Steady, Never Still a $10,000 development bursary from the Harold SPECIAL MENTION

Greenberg Fund and a $15,000 post-production JURY MEMBERS Scaffold (dir. Kazik Radwanski) services credit supplied by Encore (Deluxe Ent. Ser- Bracken Hanuse Corlett, Tracey Friesen, Ravi VIFF Most Popular International Feature JURY MEMBERS vices Group). Srinivasan Nick Citton, Alicia Eisen, Darcy Van Poelgeest WINNER WINNER Loving Vincent (dir. Dorota Kobiela & Hugh Luk’Luk’I (dir. Wayne Wapeemukwa) Welchman, Poland/UK, 2017)

JURY MEMBERS Kevan Funk, Taylor Hill, Harry Killas VIFF Most Popular International Best Canadian Documentary Most Promising Director of a Canadian Documentary Short Film $15,000 was awarded to a Canadian documentary WINNER An emerging director of a Canadian short film re- feature film. Faces Places (dir. Agnes Varda, JR, France, 2017) ceived a $2,000 award from an Anonymous Donor WINNER and a round-trip flight from Delta Air Lines. BC Emerging Filmmaker Award Unarmed Verses (dir. Charles Officer) VIFF Most Popular Canadian WINNER A $7,500 cash prize sponsored by the Union of BC Documentary SPECIAL MENTION Vincent Toi, The Crying Conch Performers and ACTRA Fraternal Benefits Society, Shut Up and Say Something (dir. Melanie Wood) WINNER along with a $10,000 equipment credit supplied by SPECIAL MENTION Shut Up and Say Something (dir. Melanie Wood) William F. White. First or second narrative features JURY MEMBERS Adib Alkhalidey, Go Play Outside that were signatory to a UBCP/ACTRA agreement Ann Marie Fleming, Janice Morris, Jeff Chiba Stearns JURY MEMBERS #mustseebc where eligible for this award. Nick Citton, Alicia Eisen, Darcy Van Poelgeest In advance of the festival, the #mustseeBC campaign WINNER presented by STORYHIVE invited audiences to Kathleen Hepburn, Never Steady, Never Still preview trailers and vote for the most anticipated

JURY MEMBERS BC film. The winning film received a post-festival red Kevan Funk, Taylor Hill, Harry Killas carpet screening at the Vancouver International Film Centre.

WINNER Shut Up and Say Something (dir. Melanie Wood)

26 VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 27 Private Foundations VIFF+ Bronze

Sue Abzinger Dave Dutton Margaret Kendall Jim Miller Sandra Rose Saeed Alizadeh Diane Dutton Elizabeth Kettleson Rene Milord Janine Rousseau Ashley Allan Peggy English Eric Kettleson Borislava Miteva Emily Rugel Brian Anderson Tom English Abubakar Amanat Khan Amin Mohadjer Mike Ruskin Shun Ando Gail Featherston Minjeong Kim Mina Moinzadeh Lynn Sackville Barbara Angel Blake Finucane Andrew Kirby Kathleen Montgomery Darlene Sanders Andre Anzarut Susan Fitzgerald Klare Kish Lora Moon Kathy Scalzo Sheila Anzarut Gordon Fleming Alice Klassen Frances Moore Elisabeth Schuster Uta Arajs James Flight Milana Knight Mridula Morgan David Schwartz Teri Arcand Saied Forouzi B Knox Ken Muir Debra Seaboyer David Avalon Pat Forrester Del Knysh Sue Muir Ury Segal Patrons Circle David Balser Dianne Freeman Deborah Koenker D’arcy Mulligan Michael & Deborah Sesich Elizabeth Bastedo Jenny Freeman Tony Koh Shira Mulloy Manoj Shankar Jeff Armstrong Mike & Kathy Gallagher Joseph Jones Eileen Mate Neha Singh Chris Bates Debby Freiman Ingrid Kolt Maria Munro Eva Sharell Paul Bennett & Don Gardiner Reet Kana Julie Molnar Vincent Wheeler Vic Bath Neil Freiter Miku Kondo Ross Munro Philip Sheir Catherine Olsen David & Dana Hewitt Collin Koo & Kevin Smith Gladys Reinarz Michelle Yung John Baxter Nancy Friedman Ekaterina Krekmanska Joanne Naiman Doug Shirlaw Melina Buckley Isaac Intilé Rachel & Derek Langer Mark Shieh Debra Beard Josh Friesen Yukie Kurahashi Neil Naiman Charles Simard Peter Cheng Selwyn Jacob John LeBlanc Patricia & Ken Shields Hugh Beard Irene Fritschi Nelin Shannon Labelle Emanuel Nazareth Erica Smishek Susan Bellamy Hélène Frohard-Dourlent Helene Laiyautim Ilya Nepogodin Duart Snow Lise Bendrodt Bradly Funk Heather Lake Olga Nepogodina Jan Snow Filippo Berna Shari Gaerber Robert Lake Patricia Nichols Allan Snowling Giuliana Bertuzzi Michael Gardiner Alison Lam Natalie Nicholson Nina Spada Michael Bjornson Marielle Geoffroy James Lamont Geoff Nickerson Mary Sparacio Brent Boates Ronald Gibbs Marielle Last Alison Nishihara Simon Stacey VIFF+ Gold Michael Bolton Jesse Godwin Gabriel Latendresse Gustavo Olaizola Alice Starr Pat Bolton Jed Gordon-Moran Kathleen Laverty Gavin Oliver Alexandra Stevens Marina Antunes Naomi Davies Jacqueline Langlois Jayeson Nicols Georgia Scott Christina Boskovich Darlene Goresky Shawna Lawson Gritt Orsten Jamie Stewart Robin Ashmore Jack Dlugan Shaun Ledding Frances Petryshen Gary Smith Joseph Bourchier Susan Gracie Doug Leard Roberto Pacheco Mark Stewart Earl Brown Jia Duan Qianshi Lin Sylvain Provencher Sandra Spicer Claude Bouygues Jackie Grad Lesley Leard Janis Padmore Carolyn Stockbridge Patricia Browne Elaine Forsey Blair Lockhart James Quinn Birgit Westergaard Kathleen Brow Russell Graham Jeannette Leduc Lana Panko Gail Storey Robert Caspick Anita Hollands Joanne Moser Joseph Sales Geoff Wing Sharon Brown Celia Green Valerie Lee Annie Park Nancy Sweedler Anne Crawford Rami Katz Miriam Moses Steven Savitt Santa Brussow Elizabeth Gubin Tom Leonhardt Tracy Parker Barbara Taylor Aleksandra Brzozowski Lynda Hadley Jacqueline Levitin Barbara Parkin Bill Taylor Taylor Buck Helen Haidar Nova Lewis Belle Parkinson Brad Taylor Erin Buckoll Mike Haidar Yongzheng Li Silvia Pascale John Taylor Lee Cappadocia Susan Hall Anna Liczmanska Anil Patade Sue Teahan Nancy Carson Jacqueline Hanna Calvin Ling Gary Paterson Liisa Tella Janie Cawley Cassandra Hanson Eleanor Lipov Susan Paterson Yumi Thompson VIFF+ Silver Aaron Chan Jane Harper Merle Lister Cecile Pearson Judith Turner Cathy Chilco Janet Harper Gillian Lockitch Joanne Pegusch Maureen Uldall-Ekman Maureen Abbott Alan Donald Shelley Jackson Ron Mason Selma Savage Jeff Christianson Diane Hartley Andrew Longhurst Marianne Pemberton Unurjargal Urjin Kim Adlington David Dowis Warren Jackson Sam Mason Stephanie Saville Nora Ciurysek Ann Harvey Wendy Lotosky Joann Perry Suzanne Vallieres Anastacia Alfonso Janet Dowis Robert Jamieson Mary Anne Massiah Rejean Savoie Anita Clipston Ray Harvey Susan Lu Sheilagh Phillips Cedric Vanderbeken Gordon Allan John Downey Russell Janzen Judy Mcconnell Hans Schild Brian Coleman Daphne Harwood Julie Luciani Ian Pitfield Trudie Vanderburg Lawrence Allen Dianna Drahanchuk Ann Jarrell C Elaine Mckay Deborah Schwartz Marian Collins Ken Haycock Ping Luo Isabel Pitfield Suzanne Vetterli Colleen Allison Elise Drake Bita Jenab Pam Mcphail Margot Scott Janis Connolly Sybil Henteleff Gail Lyons Chantal Poirier Charlotte Wensauer Corinne Angell Guy Dugas Jeff Jones Sharon Meen Bryan Searle Melanie Covey D Hignell Janice Macdonald Lyndsay Pomerantz Klaus Wensauer Manjinder Aujla M Th Englander Paul Jones Brad Mellesmoen Margarita Sewerin Glenn Crane Veda Hille Nicolette Macfarlane Alan Poon Glen Wickens Ian Bailey Sandra Ferguson Peter Juk John Mendoza Randy Sharp Lynda Cranston Marc Hilton Fiona Mackay Jessica Poon Linda Williams Aleksey Balotskiy Gormlaith Finnegan Mihoko Kanashiro Paul Mendoza Lorraine Sheckter Michel Crepeau Anna Holeton Stephanie Macleod Richard Poritz Collette Wilson Susan Bambush Eric Fiss Joel Kaplan William Meyerhoff Alan Shimokura Barb Crombie Diana Holland Jack Madrid Brigitte Potter-mael Liz Wilson Nurit Barkan-Ascher Joan Fitch Jan Kappers Brooke Mills Betsy Shimokura June Currie Michelle Honsberger Sholeh Mahlouji Emily Preswick Richard Wilson Patrick Beechinor John Fitch Fahim Kassam Shelley Moir Veronica Singer Satya Danu Winnie Hsu Janine Malikian Steve Prokopenko Chelsea Wood Mary Ellen Belfiore Stefanie Fitzmaurice Elizabeth Kidd Sarah Monahan Adam Smith Karen Dar Woon Magal Huberman Alice Mansell Savannah Quinn Alan Woodland Bruce Bingham Ross Fleming Takashi Kikuchi Alexandra Montgomery Carol Smith Bart De Baere Anna Hui Dori Martin Milena Radoicic Chris Wootten Michelle Bjornson Lester Fong Maureen Kilvert Stanley Moore Pierre Soucy Corinne De Biasio Suzanne Humphreys Helen Martin Karen Ranalletta Edwin Yee Dan Blake Diana Freundl Susan Kittler Philippe Moulier Coltin Sparks Tyler Deck Linda Hunt Trish Mau Margaret Reece Harry Young Mj Blake Esther Frid Kenneth Klonsky Sandra Mudd Chris Spencer Susan Dehnel Anne Hutchings Anne Mauch Jayne Reeves Kristin Zahynacz Trevor Boddy Norman Gahm Judith Kootte Camila Muir Jeanne St. Pierre Alisha Di Bono Kathe Izen-Mondlak Allan Mcdonell Keith Reeves Li Zhou Vesna Bokic Ruthellen Gahm Joe Krapiec John Mundle Vivien Steininger Marina Dodis Julian Jimenez Philippa Mcintyre David Rehorick Dino Zincarini David Bonner Robert Gair Rudiger Krause Raymond Nadeau Cheryl Stevens Ciaran Doherty Jane Josephson Keith Mclarren Sally Rehorick Anne Breaky Evan Gale Jeanie Lamb J Nathanson Michael Stevenson Michael Dolan Pamela Jost Arthur Meads Brigitte Relova Doug Brigham Christine Gangnon Elizabeth Laquer Paul Norton Frances Stocks Annette Dorrepaal Patrick Julian Sandy Medland Julie Robinson Colin Browne Lyndsie Gangnon Harvey Larochelle Sylvia Norton William Stocks Peter Dougherty Susan Keller Ian Merkel Shawn Robinson Ruth Buchanan Mary Gavan Aileen Lau Nancy Nowak Graham Sunderland Carmen Duncan Irene Kelly Samuel Mickelson Eduardo Rodriguez Patty Burn Mary Gisslow Lucy Leu Collette Oseen John Swanson Sherry Burns Marilyn Goebel Barbara Lewison Nur Ozgun Janet Szliske Taki Caldis Sandy Goldman Gregg Lichtscheidl Esther Palivoda Nathalie Tarkowska Dilek Cansin Catherine Gordon Soon Loo Teal Patterson Vivienne Taylor Joel Castonguay Gerald Goresky Leona Lowry Lori Pederson Christian Theriault Ann Caulfield Erik Graff Ryan Luetzen Rita Penco Magda Theriault Individual Donors James Cavalluzzo Patricia Gruben Anndraya Luui Brenda Peterson Glen Thompson C Cavicchioli Matthew Guest Christopher Lyons Margot Pratt Suzanne Tremblay Rosemary Alder Wendy Chow Andy Kidd Jaime Peschiera Marlene Triggs Lila Chan Carol Hall Teresa Ma Doug Purdy Brenda Tuele Mike Archibald Tom Cooper Ron Kidd Meliza Queiroz Tom Trueman Andre Chartrain Stephanie Hall Cathy Macdonell Mary Pynenburg Craig Turner Lana Austin Gratianne Daum Suanne Kiges Sally Quinn Tsu-yuan Tsung Mark Christie Donald Hartline Sara Macfayden Sue Rajabali Denis Uhl Brenda Benham Deborrah Dunne Truus Kotwal Karen Reppin Peeranut Visetsuth Rita Chudnovsky Ron Heaps Kathleen Mackay Gareth Randall Jack Vickery Chris Bentley Joan Elangovan Bernadette Kowey Christopher Richardson Janice Walter Benjamin Cook Kieran Herbert Alexander Mackenzie Tim Readman Juanita Wardlow Nina Boosheri Jerry Fast David Kuhl Athina Rigaud Lesley Warga Karen Cooper Helen Hickman Joanie Mackenzie Jane Alison Rice Lesley Warga Deborah Brakeley David Favrholdt Shona Lam Dave Riopel John Watson Lynn Copeland Rohini Hira Lynn Mackenzie Louise Riley Denise Wasko Gordon Briggs Sue Fife James Little Helen Roberts Harold Welch Tama Copithorne Lorriane Holubowich Donald Macpherson Carol Roberts John Watson Andrea Budzinski Valerie Fuller Susan Madsen William Robertson Terry Whitehead Ron Corber Rosario Housechild Neasa Maguire Tamara Robinson Janice Waud Loper Vicky Bull Deborah Gibson Michael Maslenki Kayleigh Sandomirsky Lori Willcox Mary Crook Wilfred Housechild Joanne Mah Connie Roche Angi Webber Bill Bumf Julia Gibson Melody Mason Kevin Simpson Harriet Williams Juergen Dankwort Wendy Hunter Maureen Malcolm Michael Roche Jan Whitford Peter Busby Prem Gill John Mendoza Lainé Slater Carmen Wiseman Alexander Daughtry Lowell Ing Brandi Malo Bernard Roitberg Harriet Williams David Campbell Irena Herbut Julie Merrick Lynda Spratley Sharon Woloschuk Nhung Davis Kai Irani Justin Malo Stanley Rosen Carmen Wiseman Michael Carruthers Terry Hoffman Dennis Nicoll Karen Stearman Augustine Wong Maggie Deegan Lynn Izen Bonnie March Heike Roth Ruby Xie Irving Caruso John Hollifield Daniel Norton Yoko Tatara Kathryn Wood Pascaline Denblyden Bea Jablonska Jennifer Martin Leandre Rupert-Bailey Barbara Young Ruth Cherry Annie Rae Huston Gwendelyn O’neil Jiju Thomas Yosef Wosk Maria Diaz-Granados Nancy Jackson Ellen Mason Jacquie Ruygrok Xiao Yu Yuan Edith Cheung David Jordan Jean Orr Raymond Tomlin Marsha Zuest

28 VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 29 VIFF 2017 Reach VIFF 2017 Financials

Audience Results Donations & Foundations Sponsorship 2% 91% 75% Social Media 218,844,302 Impressions rate their saw more than experience at three films Across all platforms 18% VIFF as “Good” (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) or “Excellent”

23,294 Blog Views Revenue 55% 25% 57% 28,907 Followers 23% have attended were new to Followers for five or more the festival 33,134 years 4,219 Followers Earned Government Revenue 32% 31% Grants

under 34 Age 35 – 54 Email Marketing Marketing & Communications 1,581,903 37% Impressions via email correspondence Sponsorship & 13% Development Age 55+ 60% Female 54,712 Subscribers 40% Male

Website Traction 9% Users 391,690 4% Facility Sessions 762,501 Expenses 59% Page Views 3,986,609

Advertising Campaign Results 15%

Impressions received across $930,000 all advertising platforms approximate value of 388,749,904 advertising campaign Programming General & Press Coverage Admin 2,537 Stories received across print, $9,333,289 1,009,004,303 Earned media ad value Earned media impressions TV, radio and online outlets Total Budget: $4,706,498

30 VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 31 Premier Partner Premier Supporters Media Partners

Major Partners

Community Media Partners

the evolution of

Consulate and Cultural Funders

Consulat général de France Festival Sponsors à Vancouver

Supporting Partners

ACFC WEST, LOCAL 2020 UNIFOR

Technical Sponsors and Official Suppliers Public Supporters

FURNITURE RENTALS + SALES

[email protected] ● rentfluff.com

32 VIFF 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 33 Thank you VIFF Volunteers! An amazing, eclectic group of film-lovers made VIFF possible by donating their time and immense talents in all of our festival departments. 2017 saw an expansion of our Lead Volunteer Programme and a change in the hourly commitment for team members, allowing busy students and full-time professionals to volunteer. Our wonderful volunteers continue to be entrenched in all expects of the festival, working together with staff to make VIFF a success. 965 21,467 Volunteers Volunteers Hours

PHOTO CREDIT HERE

34 1181 Seymour Street • Vancouver, BC • V6B 3M7 Canada (604) 685-0260 • [email protected] • www.viff.org

Premier Partner Premier Supporters