Filmmakers share expertise on their craft at VIFF Talks

The Vancouver International Film Festival speaker series provides unparalleled access to creators and innovators

SPONSORED POST BY VIFF

Dev Patel in The Green Knight. Photo by Eric Zachanowich

There’s more to the 2021 Vancouver International Film Festival than over 110 feature films and 75 shorts. Also part of the programming is VIFF Talks, a platform for industry professionals to share their expertise.

Taking place October 1 to 8, VIFF Talks offers a hybrid of in-person events at the VIFF Centre (1181 Seymour Street) and online events via the VIFF Connect streaming platform. The speaker series, which is supported by Creative BC and Community Broadcast Partner TELUS, provides unequalled access to filmmakers and fans from around the globe.

VIFF Talks kicks off on October 1 with VIFF Leading Lights: Kore-eda Hirokazu with Bora Kim. On the occasion of the fest’s 40th edition, it invited Hirokazu to nominate an emerging director to join him in conversation. He elected Kim, whose first feature, House of Hummingbird, scored more than 50 awards following its premiere at the 2018 Busan International Film Festival. Over the course of their pre-recorded conversation, they discuss inspiration, creating on-set chemistry, the importance of storyboarding, and how to distinguish between craft and art.

Next, on October 4 at 5 pm PDT, it’s Mare of Easttown: Directing Masterclass with Craig Zobel. The event features the Emmy-nominated director, who has helmed multiple episodes of Westworld, and American Gods, among others; feature films like The Hunt; and the Emmy-nominated Mare of Easttown.

On October 4 at 7 pm PDT, it’s The Green Knight: Production Design Masterclass with Jade Healy. Healy is a Canadian award-winning production designer who has created the look of movies such as A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. This year, she reunites with collaborator David Lowery on the epic fantasy adventure The Green Knight.

Sierra Teller Ornelas.

On October 5, look for Creator Talk: Sierra Teller Ornelas, Rutherford Falls at 5 pm PDT. Ornelas is the co-creator/showrunner/executive producer of the Peacock show Rutherford Falls, which, when it aired during the pandemic, made Ornelas the first Indigenous showrunner in history.

The Suicide Squad: Editing Masterclass with Fred Raskin takes place October 6 at 2:30pm PDT. A BAFTA-nominated editor, Raskin is best known for his collaborations with Quentin Tarantino, Justin Lin, and James Gunn 3.

Creator Talk: Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Flee happens October 6 at 5 pm PDT. Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning Flee tells the story of Amin Nawabi as he grapples with a secret that threatens to derail the life he has built for himself and his husband-to-be. Through the animation of director Rasmussen, Nawabi tells the story of his journey as a child refugee from Afghanistan.

Also on October 6 is Creator Talk: Out of the Box: Stories That Transform Us, at 8:30 pm PDT, with director Corey Payette and guests discussing their journeys as changemakers pushing artistic boundaries while working in both the theatre and film sectors. The conversation will follow the world premiere screening of Stories That Transform Us by Urban Ink.

Creator Talk: Julie Cohen, My Name is Pauli Murray is on October 7 at 3 pm PDT. Cohen is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker who will talk about her latest documentary, co-directed by Betsy West, about the trailblazing LGBTQ and civil-rights activist.

Then on October 6 at 6 pm PDT is Creator Talk: In the Writers' Room with Family Law. It features Susin Nielsen and Sonja Bennett, among other creative contributors to the Global TV show.

The Many Saints of Newark: Directing Masterclass with Alan Taylor is on October 8, with the Emmy-winning director behind episodes from shows like Game of Thrones, Mad Men, and The Sopranos.

VIFF Talks wraps up on October 8 at 8 pm with Creator Talk: British Columbia: An Untold History. The event features the team behind the four-part documentary series commissioned by the Knowledge Network that centres on retelling the history of British Columbia from a diverse and inclusive perspective.

Single tickets, passes, and details on complete 2021 programming are at viff.org.

Post sponsored by Vancouver International Film Festival