The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) has announced a new initiative, the Institute for the Moving Image, a major new year-round training and education initiative.
Launching in 2026, the institute will “expand VIFF’s commitment to artist development and industry leadership beyond the annual fall festival,” and “transform VIFF’s long-standing festival-intensive development program into a year-round model for creative growth, mentorship, professional training, creative business education, and international connections,” the festival said.
According to VIFF, the move to an institute structure aims to address a gap in British Columbia’s film production environment, a space for the development of filmmakers focused on creative copyright and artistic practice.
“While British Columbia remains one of Canada’s most active centers for service production, many emerging filmmakers, especially those facing institutional barriers, lack the ongoing mentorship opportunities, professional training, and industry access they need to support long-term creative growth,” the report explained.
While most of VIFF’s current artist development programs are aimed at emerging talent, the expansion into a broader institute framework will enable artist development services for everyone from newly established artists to working professionals.
The Institute for the Moving Image has two main focuses to enhance not only the quantity but also the quality of the work produced. It also leverages VIFF’s role as an international film festival to provide participating filmmakers with access to a global platform and connections with peer programs around the world.
“By moving from festival-centric development to a creative institute model, VIFF aims to become an even more valuable resource for filmmakers in British Columbia and across Canada,” said VIFF Executive Director Kyle Forstner.
“We are passionate about the quality of filmmaking talent found in Canada and feel that VIFF has a responsibility to be a key partner in their future success. This new institute model will allow us to radically expand our artistic development programs and significantly deepen our impact on the careers and artistic practices of future Canadian and Indigenous filmmakers.”
Ana Belén Asfura becomes director of the Institute of Imaging.
Vif
Ana Belén Asfura, Director of Artist and Industry Programs at VIFF, will head the Film Institute. Asfura, a Chilean-Palestinian film producer, has extensive experience in talent development, positioning strategy and international distribution, the festival said.
“Anna brings new vision, purpose and global industry insight to the VIFF team, with a career spanning consulting work in distribution and marketing, as well as work on international film foundation selection and evaluation committees.”
“Movies speak across borders and cultures,” Asfullah said. “It is a universal language; one that connects across difference, not sameness. In a world that often feels fragmented and dehumanized, reclaiming this universality is an ethical act.
“The Institute for the Moving Image is built on this belief. It is a space where voices come together and coexist, where disciplines and cultures intersect in collaboration rather than hierarchy. It is where ideas, experiences, and emotions flow freely, and where artists are nurtured, challenged, and empowered to claim ownership of their own stories.”
“For us, creating space for these voices is not optional, it’s essential. It’s how we restore our shared humanity, foster global dialogue, and build a more inclusive and vibrant future for film,” she added.
The institute is designed to support emerging filmmakers and filmmakers in British Columbia and across Canada who deserve equity. It offers cohort-based programs led by local and international artists, industry activities, market access and community engagement, sustainable career development, strengthening British Columbia’s independent film ecosystem, and direct connections to an international network of creators and festivals.
The Institute is launching three initial programs, or Institute Cohorts: Animation, Documentary and Creative Business.
Animation Cohort is designed for independent animators exploring author-driven storytelling and unique visual languages. We support artists working outside the commercial pipeline, focusing on experimentation, personal expression, and narrative risk.
The Documentary Cohort is designed for filmmakers who want to expand the boundaries of nonfiction storytelling. We support artists exploring bold, hybrid, and socially engaged approaches to nonfiction.
Aimed at “filmmakers building sustainable careers without compromising their creative ambitions,” the Creative Business Cohort supports producers and creative leads with the tools, strategies, and industry knowledge they need to sustain long-term creative endeavors.
The application process is now open for all three initial cohorts and will close on April 19th.
In an interview with Variety, Asfullah highlighted the state’s vibrant and diverse communities and the rich opportunities they offer.
“We have a huge talent pool in British Columbia. We have Indigenous communities, we have huge communities in Latin America and the Middle East. We’re very diverse and have a lot of stories to tell.”
The Institute and its 2026 Pilot Program are supported by the Canada Media Fund. Over the next few years, VIFF envisions expanding additional training streams for key creative roles, alongside new initiatives such as artist residencies, year-round labs, and potential sources of development funding.
Applications to other programs such as Catalyst, Composer Filmmaker Accelerator, VIFF Amp, Co-Production Forum, and Work In Progress will be announced soon.
Application information is available at viff.org/institute/applications, and program details and eligibility can be found at viff.org/institute.
