Vancouver Island Short Film Festival Celebrates 20 Years
Nanaimo, BC – The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival (VISFF) is thrilled to announce its 20th annual festival! This celebration of short films, taking place from Thursday, May 1st to Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, both in person at the Malaspina Theatre at Vancouver Island University (900 Fifth St., Nanaimo) and live-streamed online.
For two decades, VISFF has been showcasing the power of short films to tell compelling stories. This year’s festival promises an exceptional lineup, including four unique programs culminating in the prestigious Goldie Awards on Saturday night. Audiences can choose to experience the festival live at the theatre or from the comfort of their homes through the live online stream.
Anniversary Program:
To commemorate its 20th year, VISFF will kick off the festival on Thursday, May 1st at 7:00 PM (doors at 6:00 PM) with a special retrospective screening featuring award-winning films from past festivals. Audiences will have the opportunity to revisit the work of renowned Vancouver Island filmmakers, including Graham Stark (Victoria), Paul Whittington (Qualicum Beach), Michael Chen (Nanaimo), John Gardiner (Nanaimo), Mackai Sharp (Comox), and more.
Short Program 1 & 2:
The festival will continue with unique programs on Friday and Saturday evenings, showcasing a curated selection of the best short films from around the world. This year, VISFF received 184 submissions from all around the world. The 18 films featured this this years line up include:
- 5 films from British Columbia, 6 films from Canadian provinces, 7 international
- International features: Hungary, France, Turkey, Denmark, Iran, Germany, US
Youth Showcase: Empowering Young Filmmakers
Returning for its second year, the highly anticipated Youth Showcase, organized by youth coordinator Nick Janzen, will take place on Saturday, May 3rd, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (doors at noon). This showcase, coinciding with BC Youth Week, provides a platform for filmmakers aged 18 and under, featuring a screening, Q&A session, and a mini Goldie Award ceremony.
- 6 of the 18 films are local to Vancouver Island
- The furthest film submission came from Croatia.
- VISFF is proud to be the largest youth short film festival in Western Canada.
See the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival’s official film selections here.
Message from VISFF President Johnny Blakeborough:
“In 2005, my friend and fellow filmmaker John Gardiner and I envisioned a short film festival that would showcase the power of short films and foster a vibrant film community. We wanted to bring a new cultural perspective to Nanaimo. Twenty years later, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the filmmakers, audience members, volunteers, and friends who have made this journey so rewarding. I am incredibly excited for the future of VISFF.”
Ticket Information:
Tickets for the 2025 Vancouver Island Short Film Festival are now available for purchase at visff.tickit.ca
About VISFF:
The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the art of short filmmaking. For 20 years, VISFF has provided a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with audiences.