VAINILLA

VAINILLA (dir. Mayra Hermosillo), our Closing Night Film, received six Ariel nominations, including Best Film and Best First Feature. Additional nominations include Best Makeup (Alejandra Velarde), Best Production Design (Salvador Parra), Breakthrough Performance (Aurora Dávila), and Best Costume Design (Gilda Navarro). The film portrays a multigenerational household of women in northern Mexico during the 1980s. VAINILLA screens on Sunday, September 20. Tickets here.

THE DEVIL SMOKES

Directed by Ernesto Martínez Bucio,THE DEVIL SMOKES (and Saves the Burnt Matches in the Same Box) is part of the New Directors Competition. One of the most-nominated films at this year’s Ariel Awards, it received eight nominations, including Best Film and Best First Feature. The film was also nominated for Best Director (Ernesto Martínez Bucio), Best Original Screenplay (Ernesto Martínez Bucio and Karen Plata), Best Supporting Actor (Bernardo Gamboa), Breakthrough Performance (Donovan Said and Laura Uribe Rojas), and Best Editing (Ernesto Martínez Bucio, Karen Plata, and Odei Zabaleta).

THE DEVIL SMOKES screens on September 11. Tickets here.

THE RESERVE

Also part of the New Directors Competition, THE RESERVE (dir. Pablo Pérez Lombardini) received six Ariel nominations. Pablo Pérez Lombardini was nominated for Best First Feature, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Additional nominations include Best Original Score (YOM), Best Cinematography (Moritz Tessendorf), and Breakthrough Performance (Carolina Guzmán).

Shot entirely in black and white, THE RESERVE screens on September 15. Tickets here.

BEST FICTION SHORT FILM

TECHIQ (dir. Missael Sánchez Arce) received an Ariel nomination for Best Fiction Short Film.

In this 30-minute short, a peasant couple waits for the bird known as Techiq to announce their son’s return while confronting illness and the appearance of a strange creature in the forest. Told in Spanish and Náhuatl, the film reflects Sánchez Arce’s commitment to Indigenous storytelling and safeguarding the Náhuatl language.

TECHIQ screens on September 12 as part of FOLLOWING THE VOICES OF OUR ANCESTORS TO THE FUTURE. Reserve a free ticket here.

THE ROLE OF CO-PRODUCTIONS

IT WOULD BE NIGHT IN CARACAS and THE BLUE TRAIL are examples of the important role that Latin American co-productions play in contemporary cinema. Both films are directed by filmmakers from Venezuela and Brazil, respectively, and tell stories deeply rooted in their own countries and communities. Their Ariel nominations also highlight the cross-border collaborations that allow ambitious Latin American stories to be created and shared with wider audiences.

IT WOULD BE NIGHT IN CARACAS, directed by renowned Venezuelan filmmakers Marité Ugás and Mariana Rondón, is based on the novel La hija de la española. The film received nine Ariel nominations, including Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. It will screen on September 14. Tickets here.

THE BLUE TRAIL, the latest film by visionary Brazilian filmmaker Gabriel Mascaro, received seven Ariel nominations, including Best Film and Best Director. The film screens on September 13 and 16. Tickets here.

BEST IBERO-AMERICAN FILM

The Ariel Awards also celebrate outstanding films from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal—the region known as Ibero-America. Three exceptional films nominated in this category are also part of VLAFF’s upcoming edition:

• THE MYSTERIOUS GAZE OF THE FLAMINGO (Chile, dir. Diego Céspedes), screening September 11 and September 15. Tickets here.
• BELÉN (Argentina, dir. Dolores Fonzi), screening September 12 and September 14. Tickets here.
• A POET (Colombia, dir. Simón Mesa Soto), screening September 17. Tickets here.

Experience these nine acclaimed films at the 24th Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, taking place September 10 – 20, 2026.

Explore the full program and get your festival pass here.

”A magical escape from exile to freedom” Hollywood Reporter

Tereza, 77, has lived her whole life in a small industrialised town in the Amazon, until one day she receives an official government order to relocate to a senior housing colony. The colony is an isolated area where the elderly are brought to “enjoy” their final years, freeing the younger generation to focus fully on productivity and growth. Tereza refuses to accept this imposed fate. Instead, she embarks on a transformative journey through the rivers and tributaries of the Amazon to fulfil one last wish before her freedom is taken away – a decision that will change her destiny forever.

World Premiere, Berlin Film Festival 2025

”A magical escape from exile to freedom” The Hollywood Reporter

Tereza, 77, has lived her whole life in a small industrialised town in the Amazon, until one day she receives an official government order to relocate to a senior housing colony. The colony is an isolated area where the elderly are brought to “enjoy” their final years, freeing the younger generation to focus fully on productivity and growth. Tereza refuses to accept this imposed fate. Instead, she embarks on a transformative journey through the rivers and tributaries of the Amazon to fulfil one last wish before her freedom is taken away – a decision that will change her destiny forever.

World Premiere, Berlin Film Festival 2025

The Vancouver Latin American Film Festival invites submissions of recent short films by emerging creators from:

• Latin American and Canadian film schools
• Films created outside of schools or institutions

We are looking for bold, urgent, personal, and formally adventurous short films made within the last three years(2023–2026). Short films must be by Latine directors, or films collaboratively and ethically engaging Latine communities.

Curated and presented by the 2026 cohort of VLAFF’s Emerging Latin Programmers, this screening will give student and emerging filmmakers a platform to share their work within Vancouver’s vibrant Latin American film and cultural community.

The selected works will be exhibited at The Cinematheque on June 23, 2026 as part of a special public event. Each selected filmmaker will receive a screening fee of $175CAD.

Who Should Apply

Latine student & emerging filmmakers or filmmakers working in collaboration with Latine communities

Submissions by Latine filmmakers can be on any subject.

Non-Latine filmmakers are also welcome to apply; however, their work must engage with Latin content and be created in ethical collaboration with Latine communities.

Submission Guidelines:

• Fiction, documentary, experimental, animation, hybrid
• Max runtime: 21 min
• Films completed between 2023–2026
• Selected films will require English subtitles 

No submission fee
Deadline: March 23, 2026
Submit here

Not sure if your project is eligible for this call? Email emergingprogrammers@vlaff.org

What We Mean by “Student” and “Emerging”

Student: Currently enrolled in a film/media program or graduated within the past 3 years.

Emerging: A filmmaker in the early stages of their short film practice who is actively developing their voice. This may include self-taught creators or those working outside institutions, and generally refers to artists who are not yet widely established, commercially represented, or consistently funded. We understand “emerging” as a relational and evolving category rather than a fixed career stage.

El Festival de Cine Latinoamericano de Vancouver abre convocatoria para cortometrajes recientes de cineastas de:

• Escuelas de cine latinoamericanas y canadienses.
• Cortos creados fuera de escuelas o instituciones por creadores emergentes.

Buscamos cortometrajes audaces, urgentes, personales, con un enfoque formalmente innovador, realizados en los últimos tres años (2023-2026). Los cortometrajes deben ser de directores latines, o por creadores emergentes que se comprometan éticamente con las comunidades latinas.

Curada y presentada por les Programadores Latines Emergentes del VLAFF 2026, esta proyección brindará a estudiantes y cineastas emergentes una plataforma para compartir su trabajo dentro de la vibrante comunidad cinematográfica y cultural latina de Vancouver.

Las obras seleccionadas se exhibirán en The Cinematheque el junio 23 de 2026 como parte de un evento público especial. Cada cineasta seleccionade recibirá una tarifa de proyección de 175 dólares canadienses.

¿Quiénes pueden participar?

Estudiantes latines y cineastas emergentes latines o cineastas que trabajen en colaboración con comunidades latinas.

Las propuestas de realizadores latines pueden ser sobre cualquier tema.

Lxs cineastas no latines también pueden postularse; sin embargo, su trabajo debe involucrar contenido latino y ser creado en colaboración ética con comunidades latinas.

Bases de inscripción:

• Ficción, documental, experimental, animación, híbrido
• Duración máxima: 21 min
• Corto realizados entre 2023 y 2026
• Los cortometrajes seleccionados deberán tener subtítulos en inglés.

No hay cuota de inscripción
Fecha límite: 23 de marzo de 2026
Postula aquí

¿No estás segurx de si tu proyecto encaja en esta convocatoria? Envía un correo a emergingprogrammers@vlaff.org

Qué entendemos por “Estudiante” y “Emergente”

Estudiante: Personas actualmente inscritas en un programa de cine o medios audiovisuales, o graduadxs en los últimos 3 años.

Emergente: Cineastas en las primeras etapas de su práctica en cortometraje, que estén desarrollando activamente su voz. Puede incluir creadorxs autodidactas o que trabajen fuera de instituciones, y generalmente se refiere a artistas que aún no están ampliamente consolidadxs, representadxs comercialmente o con financiamiento sostenido. Entendemos “emergente” como una categoría relacional y en evolución, más que como una etapa fija de carrera.

O Festival de Cinema Latino-Americano de Vancouver (VLAFF) convida ao envio de curtas-metragens recentes de cineastas:

• De escolas de cinema latino-americanas e canadenses.
• Filmes criados fora de escolas ou instituições por criadorxs emergentes.

Buscamos curtas-metragens audaciosos, urgentes, pessoais e formalmente ousados, realizados nos últimos três anos (2023–2026). Os curtas devem ser realizados por criadorxs latinxs ou por criadorxs emergentes que se comprometam eticamente com comunidades latinas.

Esta sessão será curada e apresentada pelo grupo de 2026 dxs Programadorxs Latinxs Emergentes do VLAFF, que oferece a estudantes e cineastas emergentes uma plataforma para compartilhar seu trabalho dentro da vibrante comunidade cinematográfica e cultural latino-americana de Vancouver.

As obras selecionadas serão exibidas na The Cinematheque no dia 23 de junho de 2026, como parte de um evento público especial. Cada cineasta selecionadx receberá uma taxa de exibição de 175 dólares canadenses.

Quem pode se inscrever?

Estudantes latinxs e cineastas emergentes latinxs ou cineastas que trabalhem em colaboração com comunidades latinas.

Os trabalhos enviados por cineastas latines podem abordar qualquer tema.

Cineastas não latines também podem se inscrever; no entanto, seus trabalhos devem abordar conteúdo latino e ser criados em colaboração ética com comunidades latinas.

Diretrizes para envio:

• Gêneros: ficção, documentário, experimental, animação, híbrido.
• Duração máxima: 21 minutos.
• Filmes concluídos entre 2023 e 2026.
• Os filmes selecionados deverão ter legendas em inglês.

Sem taxa de inscrição
Prazo final: 23 de março de 2026
Envie aquí

Você não ter certeza se seu projeto se enquadra nesta convocatória? envie um e-mail para emergingprogrammers@vlaff.org

O que entendemos por “Estudante” e “Emergente”

Estudante: Pessoas atualmente matriculadas em um curso de cinema/audiovisual ou formadxs nos últimos 3 anos.

Emergente: Cineastas nas primeiras etapas de sua prática em curta-metragem, que estejam desenvolvendo ativamente sua voz. Inclui realizadorxs autodidatas ou que atuem fora de instituições, e geralmente se refere a artistas que ainda não estão amplamente estabelecidxs, representadxs comercialmente ou com financiamento contínuo. Entendemos “emergente” como uma categoria relacional e em constante evolução, e não como uma etapa fixa de carreira.

The Vancouver Latin American Film Festival (VLAFF) is now accepting submissions for its 24th edition, taking place September 10–20, 2026 in Vancouver, Canada.

VLAFF showcases bold, diverse, and innovative cinema from Latin America and its diasporas, celebrating stories of identity, resistance, joy, culture, music, food, and community.

Final submission deadline: March 31, 2026
Early Bird deadline: February 15, 2026

All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway:
filmfreeway.com/vlaff

In Competition

New Directors Competition — First Features (Ópera Prima)

One of VLAFF’s most exciting sections, the New Directors Competition highlights first-time feature filmmakers whose debut works signal powerful new voices in Latin American cinema.

We welcome films that take creative risks, explore new cinematic languages, and bring urgent or intimate perspectives to the screen.

Eligibility

• First feature-length films (ópera prima)
• Latin American directors or films with Latin American content
• Fiction, animation, documentary, arthouse, hybrid
• 60 minutes and longer
• Production years: 2025–2026

Youth Choice Award for Best New Director
Each selected film receives a $300 CAD honorarium.

Short Film Competition

The Shorts in Competition section is the oldest competition at VLAFF and continues to be a launchpad for emerging and established filmmakers alike.

Each year, 15 finalist short films screen at the festival and compete for our Best Short Film Award.

Eligibility

• Fiction, animation, experimental, documentary, hybrid
• Maximum running time: 21 minutes
• Latin American content
• Production years: 2025–2026

Best Short Film Award
$750 CAD cash prize to the director.

Out of Competition

Feature Films

This section showcases outstanding feature-length films that expand cinematic conversations and resonate strongly with VLAFF audiences outside of the competitive framework.

Eligibility

• Feature-length films
• Latin American directors and/or Latin American content
• Fiction, animation, documentary, hybrid
• 60 minutes and longer
• Production years: 2025–2026

Indigenous Filmmakers from Latin America & Canada

Films from Turtle Island & Beyond

This section centers Indigenous filmmakers and collectives from across Turtle Island and throughout Latin America, highlighting stories rooted in sovereignty, land, memory, and community.

Eligibility

• Feature-length and short films
• Indigenous directors and filmmaking collectives
• Fiction, animation, experimental, documentary, hybrid
• Production years: 2025–2026

Canada Looks South — Latinx Canadian Filmmakers

Canada Looks South amplifies Latin-Canadian voices and Canadian filmmakers engaging with Latin American stories, cultures, and histories.

Latin American directors living in Vancouver are especially encouraged to submit.

Eligibility

• Feature-length and short films
• Latin-Canadian directors (permanent residents or citizens)
• Canadian directors with Latin American content
• Fiction, animation, documentary, hybrid
• Production years: 2023–2025

Thematic Sections

¡Así Sabe! — Food Films (Culinary Cinema)

A celebration of food as culture, memory, resistance, and joy. ¡Así Sabe! invites films that explore culinary traditions, kitchens, markets, and foodways across Latin America.

Eligibility

• Feature-length films
• Focus on food and culinary culture
• Fiction, animation, documentary, arthouse, hybrid
• Production years: 2025–2026

¡Así Suena! — Music Films

Now in its third year, ¡Así Suena! celebrates music on the big screen — from performance and rhythm to sound as identity and movement.

Eligibility

• Feature-length films
• Focus on music and sound
• Fiction, animation, documentary, arthouse, hybrid
• Production years: 2025–2026

¡Activismo! — Cinema of Social & Environmental Justice

This section features films that address historical struggles, social movements, political ideas, and environmental justice across Latin America.

Eligibility

• Feature-length films
• 60 minutes and longer
• Production years: 2025–2026

Queer Pix — Non-Competitive

A celebratory space for Queer short films that center Latin American perspectives, joy, desire, experimentation, and resistance.

Eligibility

• Short films by Queer directors
• Fiction, animation, experimental, documentary, hybrid
• Maximum running time: 21 minutes
• Production years: 2024–2026

Fee Waivers

A limited number of submission fee waivers are available for filmmakers for whom the fee represents a genuine barrier to participation.

Priority is given to filmmakers based in Venezuela, Argentina, and Cuba, as well as other contexts where submission fees pose economic challenges.

To request a waiver, contact programming@vlaff.org with a brief introduction to your project.

Share the Call

We invite you to share this call with your communities. We are seeking new voices, Afro-descendant and Indigenous filmmakers, experimental works, music and food films, Latinx Canadian perspectives, and stories of joy, resilience, and transformation.

THANK YOU! OBRIGADX! GRACIAS!

Brazil | 2025 | Portuguese with English subtitles | 105 min |

The Festival is pleased to announce, as its Opening Night Film on September 5, the North American premiere of the latest film by the incredible Brazilian director, Anna Muylaert, (to whom VLAFF dedicated a retrospective in 2016) with a repeat matinee screening on September 7.

To escape her abusive husband, garbage collector Gal packs her two young children, Rihanna and Benin, onto the top of her cart and heads across São Paulo to her cousin’s house. As she struggles to avoid the dangers of the streets along the way, she convinces the children that they are on a big and exciting adventure. When they arrive at her cousin’s house, they are warmly welcomed and fed. However, what initially seems like a safe haven soon turns out to be a trap. Gal realizes that not only her own safety is at risk, but also the future of her children.

World Premiere, Berlin Film Festival, 2025 

What would happen if the world was upside down and the rules completely changed? Structured as a trailer for a film that doesn’t exist, a trans non-binary couple decide to get married defying societal norms.

Akin is one of the Cuban doctors working in Brazil in 2018. With the election, the cooperation between Brazil and Cuba ends. Doctors are asked to return to their country of origin. Akin is at a crossroads. Return to Cuba or settle in Brazil?

Akin’s Desert tells the story of Akin, one of the many Cuban doctors in the Mais Médicos Program, which was in effect in Brazil until mid-2018. The film begins a few months before the election.

In the voracious streets of São Paulo, a woman hides a deadly secret, unaware that her little sister follows her with a video camera.

The Festival is pleased to announce, as its Opening Night Film, the North American premiere of the latest film by the incredible Brazilian director, Anna Muylaert, (to whom VLAFF dedicated a retrospective in 2016).

To escape her abusive husband, garbage collector Gal packs her two young children, Rihanna and Benin, onto the top of her cart and heads across São Paulo to her cousin’s house. As she struggles to avoid the dangers of the streets along the way, she convinces the children that they are on a big and exciting adventure. When they arrive at her cousin’s house, they are warmly welcomed and fed. However, what initially seems like a safe haven soon turns out to be a trap. Gal realizes that not only her own safety is at risk, but also the future of her children.

World Premiere, Berlin Film Festival, 2o25