The 2025 Victoria Film Festival (VFF) is set to showcase an exciting lineup of films, with a strong representation from the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). From February 7 to 16, festival-goers will have the opportunity to experience a diverse array of works that reflect the rich talents of Canadian filmmakers.
Among the highlights is a notable focus on British Columbia directors, whose thought-provoking documentaries and animations are pushing the boundaries of storytelling. With eight NFB-produced and co-produced films making their way to the festival, the NFB’s presence at VFF promises to captivate audiences, offering powerful narratives that explore everything from environmental challenges to personal resilience.
A Festival on the Rise: Building on Past Success
This year, the festival is not only expanding its reach but also embracing a fresh wave of enthusiasm, as noted by Kathy Kay, the festival director for 28 of its 31 years. Kay emphasized that the 2025 edition aims to carry forward the momentum: “We always try every year to create a great festival and this year is no exception.
With a record-breaking 122 films—92 of which are feature-length—the lineup is more diverse than ever. The festival will also introduce new venues, such as Intrepid Theatre, ensuring that its reach extends across the city. Kay credits this growth to an abundance of exceptional films and the team’s drive to “go for it.”
As Kay eloquently puts it, the festival’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to bring people together for shared experiences: “Whether it’s film, or music or comedy, we like to be together and have shared experiences.”
NFB Features and Shorts at VFF
The 2025 Victoria Film Festival offers a rich selection of NFB films that spotlight a range of Canadian voices. These films bring fresh perspectives to pressing social, cultural, and environmental issues.
Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper – Incandescence
Incandescence takes viewers on an immersive journey through the global crisis of wildfires. This documentary blends on-the-ground footage with stories of survival, adaptation, and the natural cycle of destruction and rebirth that wildfires represent.
Directed by award-winning filmmakers Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper, who are known for their decade-long collaboration on climate-focused documentaries, this film paints a vivid portrait of our relationship with fire, offering hope amidst environmental disasters.
Runtime: 105 minutes
Christopher Auchter – The Stand
In The Stand, filmmaker Christopher Auchter revisits a pivotal moment in 1985 when a group of Haida people blocked a road on Lyell Island, demanding the protection of their land. Using archival footage, Auchter brings to life this critical moment in Indigenous activism, where the Haida Nation’s brave stand sparked an international dialogue about land preservation and Indigenous rights.
Drawing deeply from his Haida Gwaii upbringing, Auchter’s film is both a personal and historical exploration of a watershed moment in Canadian history.
Runtime: 94 minutes, 33 seconds
Yuqi Kang – 7 Beats Per Minute
7 Beats Per Minute takes a deep dive into the high-stakes world of competitive freediving through the story of Jessea Lu, a world-record-breaking freediver. After experiencing a near-death blackout during a 2018 competition, Jessea returns to the site of her traumatic experience to confront her past and the physical and psychological challenges of returning to the sport.
Directed by Vancouver-based filmmaker Yuqi Kang, this documentary delves into themes of resilience, trauma, and the human capacity for recovery.
Runtime: 100 minutes
Amanda Strong – Inkwo for When the Starving Return
In this stop-motion animated short, Inkwo for When the Starving Return, director Amanda Strong brings to life a powerful tale of survival and resistance. Set two lifetimes into the future, the film follows Dove, a young warrior tasked with protecting the world from greed and consumption.
This film, based on Richard Van Camp’s short story Wheetago War, is a stirring call to action, highlighting the importance of Indigenous storytelling and culture. Strong, a Métis filmmaker from Sechelt, blends artistry with activism in a visually stunning narrative.
Runtime: 18 minutes, 27 seconds
Virginia Tangvald – Ghosts of the Sea
In Ghosts of the Sea, Virginia Tangvald embarks on an emotional and investigative journey to uncover dark family secrets surrounding the death of her brother, lost at sea. Through this personal quest, Tangvald confronts the myth of freedom often associated with her father, a legendary sailor, while offering hope that toxic cycles may be broken.
This Canada-France co-production brings a fascinating stranger-than-fiction story to life, exploring themes of family, loss, and truth.
Runtime: 97 minutes
Halima Elkhatabi – Living Together
Living Together is a thought-provoking documentary that explores the complexities of cultural diversity, community, and the ongoing housing crisis. With a compassionate eye, Halima Elkhatabi maps a modern mosaic of individuals navigating a world where personal and societal boundaries are constantly in flux.
This debut feature-length documentary is both timely and relevant as it reflects on the ways we coexist in an increasingly fragmented society.
Runtime: 75 minutes
Andrea Dorfman – Hairy Legs
Andrea Dorfman’s Hairy Legs offers a humorous yet heartfelt exploration of adolescence and gender identity. At 13, the filmmaker made the bold decision not to shave her legs, questioning society’s expectations for women.
With warmth and charm, the film captures the universal experience of girls challenging stereotypes as they navigate the transition from a carefree childhood to self-awareness.
Runtime: 17 minutes
Véronique Paquette – LOCA
In LOCA, Véronique Paquette presents a mesmerizing animation inspired by the Argentine tango. A female silhouette disintegrates into waves of ink as she dances, intertwined with a partner in an intimate, spellbinding performance.
This short film combines the power of music and visual art to explore the fluidity of identity and movement, creating a mesmerizing and emotional experience for the viewer.
Runtime: 5 minutes, 19 seconds
Why Attend the Victoria Film Festival?
The Victoria Film Festival is not just about watching films; it’s about experiencing the magic of storytelling in an environment that celebrates creativity, diversity, and community. Here’s why attending this year’s festival, with its spotlight on NFB content, is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
An Immersive Cultural Experience
VFF isn’t just a film screening event—it’s a cultural gathering where film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and filmmakers come together to celebrate the art of cinema. The festival offers attendees the chance to connect with others who share a passion for storytelling, while also experiencing the rich diversity of Canadian and international films.
Opportunities for Filmmaker Engagement
For aspiring filmmakers or those simply curious about the craft, VFF provides a platform for direct interaction with the filmmakers themselves. Through Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and networking events, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with directors, producers, and other key figures behind the films.
These conversations allow for a deeper dive into the creative process and offer invaluable insights into the world of filmmaking. Whether you’re a student, professional, or casual viewer, these engagements help demystify the process and inspire the next generation of filmmakers.
An Intimate Festival Experience
Unlike the larger, more commercialized film festivals, VFF offers a more intimate, community-driven atmosphere. With screenings taking place in smaller venues, the festival provides a closer connection between the audience and the filmmakers.
This setting makes it easier to engage with the material on a deeper level and create lasting connections with fellow festival-goers. Attendees can enjoy films in a cozy, welcoming environment while immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the vibrant Victoria arts community.
Explore Victoria’s Scenic Beauty
Victoria, known for its picturesque harbour and historic charm, offers the perfect backdrop for a film festival. Between screenings, festival-goers can explore the beautiful surroundings, enjoy local cuisine, or take in the city’s cultural landmarks. The combination of world-class cinema and Victoria’s stunning scenery makes attending the VFF an unforgettable experience.
About the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada has established itself as a global leader in producing, co-producing, and distributing thought-provoking documentary and animated films. Over the past eight decades, the NFB has played a pivotal role in amplifying Canadian voices and stories, becoming one of the world’s most innovative creative hubs.
As a talent incubator, the NFB nurtures emerging filmmakers and provides them with a platform to showcase their work on the world stage. Its vast collection of more than 14,000 films forms a cornerstone of Canada’s cultural heritage, with over 6,500 works available for free streaming on nfb.ca. This extensive archive makes the NFB not only a key player in Canadian cinema but also an invaluable educational resource for people of all ages and backgrounds.
The NFB’s commitment to preserving and conserving films has earned it worldwide recognition, and its productions have garnered over 7,000 awards, including 11 Academy Awards and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema. This remarkable legacy reflects the NFB’s unwavering dedication to creative innovation, cultural preservation, and the power of storytelling.
Wrapping Up
The 2025 Victoria Film Festival offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the cutting-edge of Canadian cinema, with a special focus on the groundbreaking work of the National Film Board of Canada. This year’s selection highlights the incredible talents of British Columbia filmmakers and brings a diverse array of documentaries and animated films to the screen.
Whether you’re a seasoned film enthusiast or a newcomer to the festival scene, the NFB’s contributions to the Victoria Film Festival are not to be missed. The chance to engage with these films, meet the filmmakers, and explore the intersection of art, culture, and social change will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.
Mark your calendars for February 7 to 16, 2025, and get ready to be part of this exciting cultural event. The Victoria Film Festival awaits, and with it, the chance to celebrate the diverse and dynamic voices that make Canadian cinema so unique.