It’s no coincidence that the Vancouver International Women In Film Festival kicks off on International Women’s Day. Now in its 12th year, the five day festival showcases shorts, features and animation from emerging and established directors from around the globe.
With all events taking place at VIFF’s Vancity Theatre from March 8 to 12, each film includes women at the helm in key creative roles, whether as writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, lead performers, editors or composers.
Screenings, director Q&As, workshops, an awards ceremony and gala are all on the docket.
You can find Loose Lips at the some of the events below:
Breath follows the young, imaginative and joyful Bahar as she grows up in Iran. A deeply considered and well-crafted film, Breath weaves exquisite live action performances with animated sequences and the intimacy of voice-over to reveal a child’s complex experience of family, school, friendship, literacy and social ambition. This visually innovative film captures Bahar’s growing agency and resilience with the Iranian revolution as a backdrop, before it turns to the devastating consequences of the Iran-Iraq war.
A screening of On the Farmwith filmmakers Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and Doreen Manuel followed by a panel discussion
Elle-Maija Tailfeathers delivers a no-holds-barred performance as her character struggles to leave a cycle of addiction and sex-work to re-unite with her son. Concerned by the disappearance of friends and co-workers in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, she plays a crucial role when a social worker and police officer finally begin to investigate. Set against an indifferent and dysfunctional criminal justice system, the story reveals the courage embodied in marginalized women who choose to resist racism, sexism and classism.
Short film showcase featuring StoryHive’s 10 female-directed shorts followed by a Q&A with filmmakers
The showcase features winners from STORYHIVE’s recent digital shorts: female director edition, including: All My Jokes are About Me, directed by: Chelsea Lou; Akashi, directed by: Mayumi Yoshida; Chocolate Cake, directed by: Brittney Grabill; Instant, directed by: Lauren & Rob Lim; Past Time, directed by: Petie Chalifoux; Army of Hearts, directed by: Alex Duncan and Lauren Bercovitch; Sleepwalker, directed by: Anna Cooley; The Man in the Rabbit Mask, directed by: Ariel Hansen; Scattered, directed by: Ellie Harvie and This Is Not A Passport Photo, directed by: Stephanie Simpson.
Includes Lemonade Mafia, Directed by Anya Adams. Kira’s organic lemonade dynasty is threatened when rival entrepreneur Shantel moves in on her territory. From Vancouver-born director Anya Adams, with strong performances from Yvette Nicole Brown (Community), Marsai Martin (Blackish), and Emily Procter (CSI Miami), Lemonade Mafia mixes humour with heart in this thirst quenching comedy for all ages.
Kristi and Brittany are the co-founders and co-editors of Loose Lips Mag. Together, they’re building their feminist media empire and leaving the patriarchy, charcuterie boards, and empty bottles of wine in their wake. You can find them in Gastown sniffing out other women warriors or fueling up at local coffee shops.
