Vancouver International Black Film Festival

The Vancouver International Black Film Festival is a film festival that showcases Black films from Canada as well as other countries from around the world.

The festival takes place online and at Vancity Theatre in December. All films star black actors and/or have black directors or producers.

Other events taking place around the same time include the films Awaken Canada and Soar With Santa at Flyover. In Vancouver there is also the Vancouver Christmas Market and VanDusen Festival of Lights. As well, Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and in Burnaby there is the Santa Experience at the Met and Holiday Hive Market. For people who like live theatre, there is the musical Annie at Gateway Theatre in Richmond and Jack & the Beanstalk at Metro Theatre in South Vancouver.

The Vancouver International Black Film Festival (VIBFF)

The Vancouver International Black Film Festival celebrates its fifth year in 2025. It provides a platform for Black films while also hosting different workshops and panels to help grow the film industry and create more interest in Black-run productions.

The festival takes place in a hybrid format. Most of the films are available to watch online for the duration of the festival, and many of them also show in-person at the Vancity Theatre, known as the VIFF Centre, located at 1181 Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver. The theatre is also the home of the Vancouver International Film Festival in late September and early October.

The Vancouver International Black Film Festival runs from December 5th to 9th in 2025. Continue reading below to learn about last year’s films and events.

Admission Prices

There are various types of passes and tickets available.

Tickets for in-person screenings last year cost about $12 per person, except for the opening night event which cost $20 each. For people who want to attend all in-person events, there’s an all-access pass available for $39. People who only plan on watching films online can purchase the online version of the pass for $45. These were 2024 prices and likely will be similar in 2025, although exact details are to be confirmed.