Cinema lovers’ favourite time of year is once again upon Victoria.
This week, Victoria Film Festival (VFF) has released their official program and guide for the 32nd edition of the week-long festival.
This year, the festival will run from February 6th to 15th, to once again highlight some of the best and quirkiest films from Vancouver Island, across Canada and around the world.
With the schedule officially released on VFF’s website, film buffs can now start to plan their time at the festival.
This year’s lineup will feature 91 feature films along with 39 short films, which will be screening across nine venues.
In addition to the films being shown, the 32nd annual VFF will feature visual art installations, musical performances and special appearances by beloved Canadian cultural figures.
“The goal every year is keeping it fresh, and now with robots, rock bands, terrifying toasters, Canadian icons, and new partnerships,” said Festival Director, Kathy Kay.
“You can expect the unexpected awaits you at Festival screenings.”
Two celebrities that will be partaking in the fun this year include Mary Walsh, creator and star of This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and acclaimed actor Sheila McCarthy, who was praised for her role in Sarah Polley’s Women Talking among other films.
The pair will join CTV News Channel film critic Richard Crouse for an onstage conversation, followed by a screening of their latest film, Dancing on the Elephant on February 7th at 3:30 p.m. at The Vic Theatre.
Additionally, Canadian icon and renowned artist Robert Bateman is expected to take centre stage at a post-screening Q&A for The Art of Adventure.
This film follows Bateman and ecologist Bristol Foster’s 18-month journey around the globe and will screen at The Vic Theatre at 2 p.m. on February 13th.
The festival will also feature a prominent art installation via Faz-Cade, a retro-inspired animatronic arcade art installation created by Elias Lazenby.
Faz-Cade will be located at 1200 Broad Street and run between February 7th and 14th.
In an effort to expand beyond traditional cinema spaces, VFF has partnered with local events company and film distributor Destroyed Cinema.
Destroyed Cinema will be presenting three pop-up screenings in Market Square, Little Fernwood, and United Commons during the festival.
Each of their pop-up cinema experiences will pair film screenings with live performances by local bands.
Furthermore, Destroyed Cinema will be operating ‘Microcinema Market’ in Market Square, where festival-goers can see free cult-classic screenings and shop among vendors selling knick-knacks, ’zines, DVDs and more.
The festival will span numerous theatres in Victoria, including The Vic Theatre, the Intrepid Theatre, Sidney’s Star Cinema, Capitol 6, Roxy Theatre and the Toaster Rocket Cinema pop-up
Which is now in a new location at 712 Cormorant Street.
Check out the full lineup of films and buy tickets to screenings via Victoria Film Festival’s website.
