The festival
Organized by a nonprofit founded in the mid-1990s and first held in 1997, VAFF is recognized as North America's longest-running Asian film festival. It takes place over several days each November in Vancouver.
Worth knowing
VAFF has grown alongside the broader movement for Asian representation in film and television, running talent-development and short-film initiatives in addition to its festival screenings. It focuses on the work of Asian Canadian and Asian American creators.
How to attend
Tickets and festival passes are sold through the VAFF website, with screenings at Vancouver venues each November.
Awards & submissions
Recognized as North America’s longest-running Asian film festival, VAFF was first held in 1997 and takes place over several days each November in Vancouver, focusing on Asian Canadian and Asian American creators. Its adjudicated awards are given to eligible Canadian films across categories such as Best Canadian Feature, Best Canadian Short and Best Canadian Documentary Short, with further prizes for direction, cinematography, editing and animation; the festival is IMDb-eligible, so selections and awards can be listed there. It also runs talent-development and short-film initiatives. Submissions are made through FilmFreeway during an annual open call — the 2026 window ran from February to May — and the public buys tickets and passes through the VAFF website.
Official site →Dates and programs change year to year — check the official site for the current edition.