Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth

Founded in 1998, the Reel to Real: A Celebration of Moving Images for Youth Society has served a vital role in raising awareness of alternatives to mainstream media among British Columbia youth while supporting emerging and established Canadian filmmakers and enhancing the reputation of Canada as a leader in the making of films for young audiences. At the vanguard of a movement to define more relevant cinematic experiences for Canadian youth, Reel to Real aims to cultivate lifelong audiences for Canadian and international media arts.

Reel to Real produces an annual media arts festival, the Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth (R2R). The artistic vision of the festival is to recognize original, outstanding, innovative Canadian and international films for youth by curating eye-opening and mind-stretching films to which young audiences can relate. What makes the programming exceptional, year after year, is that youth from a wide variety of backgrounds come together to view and share contemporary, independent, and experimental films that are a genuine reflection of the historical and cultural diversity of their province, their country, and the world. 

R2R has established itself as one of Vancouver's most accessible and diverse film festivals, annually attended by over 6,000 children, youth, parents, teachers, and film lovers of all ages. 

The mission is to involve youth in actively viewing and discussing professionally made films; expose youth to new ideas and cultural perspectives; offer high-quality cinematic entertainment outside the mainstream; explore issues that are important to youth; engage youth in discussions with filmmakers about their work; increase understanding of the art and craft of filmmaking; and promote the production and presentation of high-quality independent films for youth.

Animating History is a workshop series that Reel 2 Real offers in partnership with the Museum of Vancouver. Students from schools throughout Metro Vancouver produce a three-minute animated film based on Vancouver’s history, working on all aspects of production, with guidance from a museum interpreter and two professional animators. The Animating History workshops encourage imagination and creativity and instill a sense of accomplishment. 

Reel to Real also partners with Our World to produce interactive and intergenerational filmmaking workshops that foster artistic expression among Indigenous youth across Canada.  Mentored by professional Indigenous artists,  participants learn how to create and produce short films that speak to their local history, language, and culture, and their place in it. Participants gain leadership and teamwork skills and a deepened connection with the local community, oral histories, and traditions. Trapline is a new initiative, working with locally-based Indigenous filmmakers who train emerging filmmakers to become mentors and community leaders. This project motivates a new generation of artists to remain in their community instead of moving away to seek opportunities in urban centres. Emerging artists serve as beacons of support for youth interested in learning camera operation, sound recording, lighting and editing.