VAFF Filmmaker (VAFF In Theatre) FAQ

Welcome vaff29

Welcome to the 29th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival!

This is your page for FAQ (and answers) on all things VAFF and Vancouver.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

For all inquiries before and during the festival, please email your VAFF Filmmaker Liaison.

Special announcement:  The official festival program website for ticketing will launch on September 25, 2025

Overview on this page:

  • Promotional Tools: VAFF Laurels, Social Media links/hashtags, PR
  • Filmmaker Packages and Special Events
  • Festival Screening/Event Venues, Media Schedule, Transit, Parking
  • Accommodation and Dining
  • Getting To/From Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
  • Things To Do in Vancouver

Promoting Your Film at VAFF

Tell the world you’re an official selection of VAFF 29, you can now inform the public, media, friends and family that your film is screening at VAFF 2025. Use social media, emails, radio, print… any way of getting the word out!

  1. Facebook.com/VAFFVancouver
  2. Twitter.com/VAFFVancouver @VAFFVancouver
  3. Instagram.com/VAFFVancouver @VAFFVancouver
  4. YouTube.com/VAFFVancouver
  5. #VAFF | #VAFF29 | #VAFFINDUSTRY | #BEYONDASIAN | #DIVERSITYINFILM
  6. WEB SITE: WWW.VAFF.ORG

Media and PR: Email to media@vaff.org to get connected with the media and get some PR tips.

BEYOND ASIAN VIDEO CAMPAIGN 

Any of your key creative crew (director, dp, writer, producer) and/or cast can participate in our video campaign. 

1. Participate in “Tongue Twister” video campaign: Learn more (coming soon) &  see examples here 

Step 1: Get your smart phone or video camera ready
Step 2: Record a 15 – 30 second clip (vertical format) in your chosen language (include English subtitles)
Step 3: Share your clip on Instagram and/or Facebook (tag @VAFFVancouver and include #VAFF29 and #BeyondAsian in the caption) or email your video to marketing@vaff.org with your name and film title in the subject line

2. Participate in “Be part of VAFF29” video campaign:  Record a video, in your chosen language (include English subtitles), telling us something unique about your film.

Step 1: Get your smart phone or video camera ready
Step 2: Record a 15 – 30 second clip (vertical format)
Step 3: Share your clip on Instagram and/or Facebook (tag @VAFFVancouver and include #VAFF29 and #BeyondAsian in the caption) or email your video to marketing@vaff.org with your name and film title in the subject line

Filmmaker Packages

Your Filmmaker Package (one per film) is available for pickup daily throughout the festival at the PICK UP ZONE in the main lobby (3rd floor) of the Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas, the official VAFF screening venue.

DATE AND HOURS to pick up filmmaker packages:

ADVANCED PICK UP:

Wed, Nov 5, 2025 | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (main lobby, 3rd floor, of the Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas, 88 West Pender Street)

Thur, Nov 6 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (3rd floor Cineplex Odeon International Village)
Fri, Nov 7 | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm (3rd floor Cineplex Odeon International Village)
Sat, Nov 8| 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm (3rd floor Cineplex Odeon International Village)
Sun, Nov 9 | 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm (3rd floor Cineplex Odeon International Village)

 Sat, Nov 15 | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Scotiabank Theatres, main lobby, 900 Burrard Street)

Filmmaker Packages include:

1. Your VAFF 2025 Festival Program Guide
2. Festival Full Access Passes ID
Up to TWO Filmmaker Full Access Passes (Membership included)

This pass identifies you as our special guest during the Festival. Please show your pass at all times during the festival. This pass provides the holder with individual access to each of our VAFF In-Theatre screenings, VAFF industry insight series, all special events including opening night gala, OVASIAN awards ceremony and after-party and other industry events.**

Access Pass holders MUST arrive at least 30 minutes prior to each program start time to line up at the pass holder area to be guaranteed a seat. Any unclaimed reserved Passholder seats in the theatre will be released to the Box Office/Rush Line 15 minutes prior to the screening.

NOTE: Please register your Festival Pass(es) and all of the special events entry access  via link before October 20, 2025.

3. Festival SWAG 

Other information: 

  • FOUR complimentary tickets to the screening of your film. (Membership included)
    Share the excitement with 4 of your cast & crew, closest friends or family! You will receive a specific code by October 20, 2025 via email to claim your 4 e-tickets per film. 

What is VAFF Membership? Learn more here.

Discount screening ticket(s) on both VAFF In-Theatre screening and VAFF VIRTUAL screening, receive 25% discount off the total sales, valid till Oct 31, 2025 11:59 pm.  (Use promo code: vafffilmmaker2025)

VAFF Industry Events & Venues

To access the below in-person events with your Filmmaker Full Access Pass.

1. VAFF INDUSTRY – WEST COAST HAPPY HOUR, networking with filmmakers, industry, and VAFF guests.
November 7 | Friday | 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Venue: Hapa Izakaya Yaletown, 1193 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC

2. VAFF INDUSTRY INSIGHT SERIES (VI²) Week

November 8 | Saturday – VAFF In-Person | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Venue: Coal Harbour Room at Hudson Pacific, Funk Cafe, 1025 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver, BC

November 15 | Saturday – VAFF In-Person | 900 am – 6:00 pm
Venue: Club Room at Scotiabank Theatre – 4th floor, 900 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC

November 10 – 13 | Monday – Thursday – Daily VIRTUAL Lunch & Learn

3. VAFF INDUSTRY Celebration of CanAsian Party

November 15 | Saturday | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Venue: Club Room at Scotiabank Theatre – 4th floor, 900 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC

The series schedule, description and presenter, panelist/moderator bios and updates will be released on October, 2025 at VAFF.ORG

Special Events & Venues

To access the below in person events with your Filmmaker Full Access Pass.

1. Festival Screening Venue
 – Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas 3rd Floor, 88 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC
– Scotia Bank Theater Vancouver – 4th floor, 900 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC

2. OPENING NIGHT GALA: Kick off the 2025 Vancouver Asian Film Festival with the opening Gala. Meet filmmakers, Festival Board & Executives, Sponsors & Partners, Festival Volunteers and local film industry guests.
November 6 | Thursday | 9:00 pm – 1:00 am
Venue: D6, Parq Hotel, 39 Smithe Street, Vancouver BC

3. CENTREPIECE SPOTLIGHT Event
 November 8 | Saturday | 9:30 pm – 1:00 am
 Venue: Parker Rooftop – Parker Hotel 1379 Howe St 9th floor, Vancouver, BC

4. OVASIAN AWARDS CEREMONY & AFTER-PARTY: Wrap up this year’s VAFF and unwind with filmmakers, industry and VAFF volunteers.
November 16 | Sunday | 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
 Venue: BMO Newmont Theatre –  162 W 1st Ave #203, Vancouver, BC

Festival Schedule and Tickets

Online schedule for the entire VAFF 2025 will be available after September 10, 2025 at VAFF.ORG

Discount screening ticket(s) on both VAFF In-Theatre screening and VAFF VIRTUAL screening, receive 25% discount off the total sales, valid from September 25 till Oct 31 2025 11:59 pm.  (Use promo code: vafffilmmaker2025)

If you have any questions regarding the group rate, please email festival@vaff.org.

Festival Transit & Parking

  • The VAFF screening venue at Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas, 88 West Pender Street, is half a block away from rapid transit and numerous bus routes.
  • Visit Translink or Google Maps for more transit options and information.
  • The International Village Mall provides free underground parking for 2 hours if you are attending a screening. Keep ticket stubs for proof. The underground parking lot closes at midnight daily but for after-hours access, go to the Abbott Street underground parking entrance/exit and buzz Mall Security through the Intercom beside the gates.
  • If you intend to be at the venue/in the area all day, daily rates and evening parking with 24/7 access is available: EasyPark Lot 7, 140 Keefer Street (between Columbia and Main), please click here for more details.
  • The Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver venue underground parking.

Media Inquiry

Congratulations on being selected to screen your film at VAFF 2025!

We’re excited to be working with you. In order to maximize our media and outreach coverage, please refer all interview requests to our VAFF 2025 Media team so that they can coordinate the media coverage accordingly. We will be announcing the film lineup progressively, and want to ensure all the correct information will be released in a timely fashion. 

Contact info:
Email: media@vaff.org 

Accommodation Information – Discount and Recommendation

Discount offer:

EXchange Hotel Vancouver – https://www.exchangehotelvan.com/
 A discounted rate details: $189 per night for rooms Nov 6 – 16, 2025 at the Parker Hotel
Breakfast if needed is $30 pp which includes tax and gratuity.

In order to facilitate reservations, please contact the hotel directly toll free 1-800-570-3932 or email: reservations@executivehotels.net      Promo code: VAFF

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Recommendation:
 

Getting To and From Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Information on rapid transit, taxis, hotel shuttles, car rentals, and driving directions from the Vancouver Airport Authority website: http://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/transportation

Information on transit fares, tickets, and passes from the Translink website: https://www.translink.ca/en/Fares-and-Passes/Single-Fares.aspx

1. Rapid Transit from YVR

The Canada Line connects YVR to downtown Vancouver in just 30 minutes. The Canada Line Airport Station is located between the International and Domestic Terminals on Level 3. Follow airport signage or ask any airport attendant for directions.

Canada Line fares from YVR to downtown Vancouver:

* Vancouver Airport – Downtown Vancouver: 2 Zone Compass Ticket $8.20 CAD (two-zone fare)

  • Adult day pass: $11.95 (CAD)

YVR Airport AddFare

Leaving from the airport? Journeys starting at YVR–Airport, Sea Island Centre, or Templeton stations include a $5 YVR Airport AddFare at all times. For more information about this charge and who is exempt, please see our Transferring and AddFare page.

More information from the Transit website here

2.

2. Taxi

$28 – $40 (taxes included) is the approximate fare for the 30-min trip to downtown Vancouver. Follow airport signage or ask any airport attendant for directions to the taxi stand:

  • U.S./INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS: Right outside the International Arrivals Greeting Area, on the same level.
  • CANADA ARRIVALS: Outside the Domestic Terminal Arrivals, Level 2.

More information from the YVR website here

3. UBER / LYFT

Download an app to your smartphone. 

Things To Do in Vancouver

What’s happening in the 604? Check out Tourism Vancouver or Daily Hive Vancouver, or contact the VAFF Filmmaker Liaison if you have any questions about what restaurants, cafes, and sights there are to see near the theatre or in the city.

F A Q

  1. How many representatives from each film can participate at the Q&A?
  • For Feature Film Program,  1-5 resp. (cast & crew). at the feature film will be invited to participate.
  • For Short Program, 1-2 resp. at the short film unless it’s co-directing will be invited to participate.
  1. How long will the Q & A be after each of the film programs?
  • It’s limited to 15 minutes per film program.
  1. Would filmmakers receive artist fee?
  • Canadian artist/filmmaker from each film will receive the artist fee after the festival. We based on the recommended rate from Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC). (note: MAMM recipients, VAFF Film Fund recipients, E8 curated films, curated films filmmakers would not be eligible for the artist fee).