Inside Vancouver

5 Vancouver Film Festivals in November 2011

by Dana Lynch in Entertainment on November 8, 2011

A scene from Mobul ("The Flood"), screening at the 2011 Vancouver Jewish Film Festival

Rain got you down? Get out of the cold and into a theatre! Fall is the season for Vancouver film festivals, and even though the Vancouver Asian Film Festival just ended, there are five more film fests coming up in November 2011, bringing an eclectic array of films from around the world to a cinema near you.

5 Vancouver Film Festivals in November / December 2011

1. Vancouver Serbian Film Festival November 9 – 12, 2011
Now in its fourth year, the VSFF showcases some of Serbia’s most talked-about movies. Featuring four films and three documentaries, this short fest happens at Denman Cinemas at 1770 Comox Street, Vancouver.

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5 Vancouver Film Festivals in November 2011

Vancouver Asian Film Festival 2011 Starts November 3

by Dana Lynch in Entertainment on November 2, 2011

Back for its 15th year, the annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) opens this Thursday, November 3. A showcase for independent North American Asian filmmakers, VAFF is a rare opportunity to see a wide-range of works—from dramas and comedies to documentaries—that, while incredibly diverse, share one thing in common: an Asian-North American point-of-view that is often overlooked in mainstream cinema.

Highlights of the 2011 VAFF include the comedy Almost Perfect, starring X-Men 2‘s Kelly Hu and Hong Kong star Edison Chen, the documentary Big In Bollywood, which follows the journey of Indo-American actor Omi Vaidya from Hollywood unknown to Bollywood celebrity, and the drama Ashes, featuring Ajay Naidu, Faran Tahir and Piper Perabo.

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Vancouver Asian Film Festival 2011 Starts November 3

VIFF 2011 – Vancouver International Film Festival Starts September 29

by Dana Lynch in Entertainment on September 26, 2011

The mother of all Vancouver film festivals is back for 2011: the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) starts this Thursday, September 29.

One of the five largest film festivals in North America, VIFF is renowned as one of the biggest showcases for Canadian film in the world and for screening the largest selection of East Asian films outside of that region. Over its two-week span, VIFF will screen 360 films from 80 countries, spanning subjects from Canadian Images, Arts & Letters, and Cinema of Our Time to Dragons & Tigers and Nonfiction Features.

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VIFF 2011 – Vancouver International Film Festival Starts September 29

‘All-In Autumn’ Events at Granville Island

by Dana Lynch in Events on September 18, 2011

Granville Island's 2nd Annual Pie Contest is part of its Fall Festival on September 29, 2011. Photo: Granville Island

Fall gets its official start in 2011 on September 23, and Granville Island is welcoming the season with a roster of fun-filled, all-ages events in late-September and October.

To celebrate the season of harvest, Granville Island brings out the warm, autumn-inspired comfort foods for its annual Fall Festival on September 29: the festival includes the Granville Island Farmers Market Second Annual Pie Contest—where you can enter your own pie and sample the competition with free pie tastings—as well as cooking demonstrations, the Granville Island Farmers Market, “Weird and Wonderful Garden Items,” and a Kids Corner with free kids’ activities.

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‘All-In Autumn’ Events at Granville Island

Vancouver Olio Festival – September 22 – 25, 2011

by Dana Lynch in Events on September 12, 2011

Back for its third year, the 2011 Olio Festival is a four-day celebration of music, art, comedy, skate and film that brings together both local and international talent for 30+ events at venues around Vancouver.

A unique festival of fresh perspectives, the Olio Festival features musical performances by Mascis of Dinosaur JR, Glass Candy, Chromatics, Ladyhawk, Cave Singers, Teen Daze, AraabMuzik, Bend Sinister, Bonjay, Braids, The Pack AD, Keys N Krates, Besnard Lakes, Malajube, Chicharones, Revolver, Chateau Marmont, Active Child, Chad Valley, Com Truise, as well as over 50 local Vancouver bands.

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Vancouver Olio Festival – September 22 – 25, 2011

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

by Dana Lynch in Events on September 10, 2011

Stilt-walkers make "fire circles" at the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. Photo: Still Moon Arts Society

One of Vancouver’s most unique multicultural festivals happens next Saturday, September 17: the 9th annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival.

Taking place in East Vancouver, the free Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival honours diverse cultural traditions—including the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival—with a celebration of harvest abundance, renewal and environmental stewardship. Lanterns for the festival are made by family and friends in the community, and the choice of Renfrew Ravine as the venue further symbolizes community spirit and renewal: the Ravine, today a lovely nature park, was once a garbage pit, transformed through the loving care of the neighbouring community.

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Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

Vancouver International Improv Festival October 5 – 10, 2010

by Dana Lynch in Entertainment on October 4, 2010

Vancouver International Improv Festival

Back for its 11th season and now at Performance Works on Granville Island, the annual Vancouver International Improv Festival (VIIF) brings audiences some of the most innovative improvisation in the world through 20 shows and five days—and you can see every show for just $40!

As Guy MacPherson of The Georgia Straight puts it, “If you’ve never been blown away by improv before, you haven’t been to the VIIF.” As is the case every year, VIIF showcases hip, new improv from both local and international ensembles. 2010 Shows range from the bawdy Puppet This (with the tag-line “Get Felt”), to the poetic Dave Morris: One-man Improvised Storytelling.

The opening night Toonie Tuesday on October 5 gives you a “sneak peak” at what to expect from the festival, and includes the Sunday Service, the toast of Vancouver’s alternative comedy scene—and the show is a crazy bargain at just $2!

Find the complete schedule of shows and buy tickets at the Vancouver International Improv Festival site. VIIF runs October 5 – 10, 2010.