Photo via Adam PW Smith / VIFF
Vancouver is a beautiful place for artists and filmmakers to call home, but the creative industry is not always the easiest to break into or grow in. On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) announced the launch of a new hub for artists through the Institute for the Moving Image, an initiative designed to make creative development more accessible.
The Institute will operate as a year-round hub for artists and filmmakers from across the globe to gather and receive professional training, mentorship, and creative business education, all to address a major gap in B.C.’s film industry: a space for creative authorship and artistic practice.
Launching in 2026, the Institute will transform VIFF’s existing festival-focused development programs into a series of pilot programs, thanks to funding from the Canada Media Fund. Emerging artists and filmmakers, especially those facing systemic barriers, will be able to access clear industry pathways to support their long-term growth.
The shift will also allow creatives at every professional level to connect, collaborate on creative projects, and enhance their skills.
“We’re passionate about the calibre of filmmaking talent we see in Canada, and we feel VIFF has a responsibility to be a keystone partner in their future success,” says Kyle Fostner, executive director, VIFF. “This new Institute model will allow us to radically expand our artistic development programs, and to significantly deepen our impact on the careers and artistic practices of future Canadian and Indigenous filmmakers.”
Leading the Institute for the Moving Image is Ana Belén Asfura, a Chilean-Palestinian film producer with extensive experience in talent development, positioning strategies, and international circulation.
“Cinema speaks across borders and cultures. It is a universal language — not of sameness, but of connection across difference,” Asfura explains. “For us, creating space for these voices is not optional; it is essential. It is how we restore shared humanity, ignite global dialogue, and forge a more inclusive, vibrant future for cinema.”
Once open, the Institute will offer cohort-based programs led by local and international artists for its pilot year. In the years to come, VIFF plans to expand with additional artist residencies and year-round labs.
Currently, applications are open for three Institute cohorts: animation, documentary, and creative business.
Those interested in applying have until April 19, 2026.
Stay tuned for more info about the Institute’s opening and future programs to come!
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