Vancouver International Black Film Festival Returns for a 5th Year

Now in its fifth year, the Vancouver International Black Film Festival will screen 35 films, plus industry panels, creative workshops and other events that aim to deepen dialogue around Black film.

“This fifth edition is a real milestone. It’s not just another year,” says Fabienne Colas, president and founder of Vancouver International Black Film Festival. “This edition of VIBFF brings together 35 films from around the world and pairs them with a strengthened hybrid program, industry panels, creative workshops and community events that deepen connection and dialogue.” In particular, highlights include international films, a nine-film Canadian Spotlight and the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada shorts all in one place.

On Black Voices and Representation

Representation drives everything. “Black filmmakers and Black stories remain underrepresented in Vancouver’s mainstream film ecosystem,” Colas notes. As a result, VIBFF puts Black cinema front and centre, opening space for conversations about “the cultural, social and socio-economic issues affecting Black communities locally and globally,” which she calls “grounded, human and necessary.”

In-person features this year include Sierra’s Gold, Snake, and the opening film Of Mud and Blood. Sierra’s Gold (South Africa, 2024) is a dark comedy exploring self-discovery and the realization that true worth comes from within. Snake (South Africa, 2024) tells the story of a 10-year-old farm girl who must uncover the truth to protect her family, a gripping narrative about courage and resilience.

Opening the festival, Of Mud and Blood (DRC/France/Germany, 2024) offers an intimate look at life in the coltan-mining village of Numbi, capturing the hardships and perseverance of its inhabitants. These films exemplify the festival’s commitment to bold storytelling and authentic, human-centered narratives.

Colas says the curatorial approach prioritized range. “The leading priority was to celebrate the depth and breadth of Black creativity while pushing boundaries and sparking meaningful dialogue,” she says.

Specifically, the Being Black in Canada lineup highlights emerging voices exploring themes like women’s empowerment, social issues, migration, politics, resistance and family, culminating in a program she describes as “urgent, resonant and emotionally rich.” 

Opening Night: Of Mud and Blood

Opening night features Of Mud and Blood at VIFF Centre on December 5, a gripping look at coltan mining in a Congolese village. 

“Of Mud and Blood is an arresting and important film because it connects something familiar — the devices we rely on every day. With the harsh realities of coltan mining in a Congolese village,” Colas explains. Consequently, she hopes audiences leave with “greater awareness of the human cost behind modern technology and a stronger sense of empathy.”

 

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Panels and Black Market

The festival also features the VIBFF Black Market on December 6, followed by two online panels on December 7. In addition, screenings paired with dialogue are intentional. “VIBFF acts as a showcase and a catalyst,” Colas says, with sessions like From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Black Voices in Vancouver Cinema and the Action Beyond Awareness forum. 

The program supports 30 filmmakers aged 18 to 30 across Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver, helping them create their first short documentaries. Colas calls it “one of the most impactful incubators for emerging Black talent in the country.” Additionally, she adds, “Seeing first-time filmmakers tackle subjects like empowerment, social justice, migration and family with such honesty and courage is incredibly inspiring.”

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Farrell envisions scaling VIBFF into both a major cultural event and a hub for Black talent. “The vision is to continue scaling VIBFF as both a major cultural event and a development hub for Black talent,” she says. In the long term, the goal is for the festival to stand as “one of the leading platforms for Black cinema in Western Canada,” a place where emerging filmmakers launch careers and audiences return for bold global storytelling. Furthermore, Colas says the hybrid format is central. “Staying hybrid ensures accessibility.” Ultimately, for a festival centred on inclusion and accessibility “isn’t optional; it’s essential.”

Dec 5–9, 2025
VIFF Cinema and Studio Theatre (and hybrid online access)
1181 Seymour St.
Tickets here.