Top 4 Film Festivals in Vancouver that Film Students Should Attend

Vancouver is home to some of the biggest Hollywood productions and is known to location scouts for its unmatched beauty, diversity and convenience. This has led to Vancouver being home to many exciting and career-launching film festivals. Here are 4 film festivals in Vancouver that film students won’t want to miss!

It’s every aspiring filmmaker’s idea of heaven: Days of endless new films, appearances from directors, actors and other film professionals, and even workshops and networking opportunities! Attending a film festival could lead to you discovering your new favorite filmmaker, meeting your personal hero, or even catching your big break.

Fortunately for those considering film school in Vancouver, the city has no shortage of excellent events. With such a vibrant movie industry presence, the area is the ideal backdrop for a range of festivals both large and small, taking in a number of genres and styles and filling their own particular industry niches.

THE BEST FILM FESTIVALS IN VANCOUVER

1. Vancouver International Film Festival

Let’s start with the granddaddy of them all. Now in its 35^th year, the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) isn’t just the biggest in the city, it’s also one of the five largest film festivals in North America, playing host to over 300 films, highly regarded international guests, and countless compelling workshops and lectures for industry insiders and aspiring filmmakers alike.

The festival typically takes place will take place in September and October of each year, but film school students might have a hard time fitting everything into just over two weeks! With new features including an interactive hub, live performances, VIFF Amp and their many insightful and informative industry VIFF Talks!

2. DOXA

With the recent success of the likes of Making a Murderer and The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, we’re very much in a golden age for documentaries, with filmmakers creating some of the most daring, provocative pieces ever produced in the genre.

With that in mind, why not check out the latest groundbreaking work for yourself at DOXA Documentary Film Festival? Held each May at various locations around the city, DOXA showcases both local and international films that tell real stories designed to educate and inform, and features appearances from some the leading filmmakers in the field.

3. Crazy8s

Crazy8s is run by the Crazy8s Film Society, a not-for-profit society which offers support to emerging filmmakers who have little or no access to funding for short films. It is an 8-day filmmaking challenge where 6 winning scripts are chosen for production, later to be premiered at the Crazy8s Gala Screening. The gala is a fantastic opportunity for film school students to build a professional network in the world of short filmmaking as well as forming contacts with other new filmmakers, screenwriters and more.

Crazy8s helps to build the domestic film industry in British Columbia. To date, their annual filmmaking challenge has produced 133 short films that have gone on to win awards at film festivals worldwide. Best of all, any emerging filmmaker with a short film script can apply, making it an ideal avenue for film or screenwriting students who are looking to get their ideas made into film.

4. Vancouver International Women in Film Festival

A smaller festival, but one that’s definitely worth a look, the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival, held every March, showcases the best work from women both at home and abroad. The festival screens around fifty films, taking in a number of genres and styles, and is run by Women in Film and Television Vancouver (WIFTV), a not-for-profit society that also offers professional development services for women in the industry throughout the year, including workshops, mentorships, and a monthly networking breakfast.

Another season of film festivals fast approaching! With that in mind, there are sure to be many opportunities to view some of the best, new films of the year. Don’t miss out on the great workshops and networking events available to aspiring filmmakers during these jam-packed festivals!

Related Articles:

InFocus Film School Film Production program

InFocus Film Festival Survival Guide

Film Festival Tips for New Filmmakers

Women In Film: Where They Are and How Far They’ve Come

6 Ways To Make Your Film Festival Submission Stand Out

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April 11, 2023

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2 Crucial Writing Tips for Adapting Short Films into Features at Film School

By Robert Chomiak

One of your shorts would make an excellent feature. You’re convinced of it.

But the task of writing a full-length screenplay can be daunting—which is ironic, because as a screenwriting instructor at the InFocus Film School, I have encountered film school students with feature-sized ideas that needed paring down in order to make an effective short.

Now one must unlearn this skill of simplifying and instead expand one’s thinking to match a feature film’s vision and scope.

Adapting a short has launched several careers. David F. Sandberg with the horror film “Lights Out,” Neill Blomkamp with the sci-fi doc “Alive in Joburg” (District 9), and Wes Anderson with the crime comedy “Bottle Rocket.”

These three writer-directors came up with creative solutions that can serve as lessons for a filmmaker, like yourself, who wants to follow in their footsteps.

Why Go To Film School: Beyond the Basics

There is a lot to consider when deciding to go to film school. Because it is a creative art, some may even argue that filmmaking can’t be taught in a classroom, and is better learned on your own. As an independent film school we’re all for indie productions and a DIY ethos. But, we also believe film school is the best way to sharpen your skills and produce portfolio quality work.

Why? First and foremost: creativity breeds creativity. We’re familiar with the lone mad genius trope. But the reality is, we can all benefit from receiving creative feedback – particularly when it comes from experienced industry professionals. Filmmaking is an ever evolving art, and the industry thrives on innovative and unique ideas. Working in a creative environment with practicing and emerging filmmakers is the best way to explore and push the boundaries of your filmmaking vision.

Which brings us to the next point. We know you’re passionate about filmmaking and determined to pursue your dream project. Yet setting aside time to do so can often be a challenge. Attending film school gives you an opportunity to explore your ideas, learn new techniques, and hone your craft.Although it might seem counterintuitive, deadlines are useful because they increase productivity and time management. Instead of being relegated to the “when I have time,” pile attending film school allows you to focus on just one thing: your personal development as a filmmaker.

It also allows you to explore the different technical aspects of filmmaking. From preproduction through to postproduction, there are countless processes involved in making a film. While many film industry professionals specialize in one area such as directing or cinematography, understanding the basic processes behind each facet is essential to your development as a filmmaker.

And of course, collaborating with fellow students on a variety of film projects gives you on set experience, and can lead to lasting creative partnerships.

Perhaps most importantly, attending film school gives you the opportunity to build a strong and diverse portfolio of work. Your show reel is your calling card – from entrylevel positions to funding an independent project, it’s your key to the industry.

As userfriendly cameras, accessible editing software and online tutorials become increasingly popular, learning about filmmaking on your own is much easier than it used to be. And like any field, much of the learning process is trial and error. Delving into film school expedites the learning curve so that you can realize your potential, and your filmmaking vision, that much sooner.

May 8, 2014

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