Preceded by the short Tigers Can Be Seen In The Rain.

Screening followed by a Q&A with director Oscar Ruiz Navia.

TICKETS:

Screening followed by a Q&A with director Oscar Ruiz Navia.

TICKETS:

The candour of images from the past, filmed by a camera still hesitant in the hands of the siblings learning to use it, meets the coldness of the Montreal winter, frozen in still shots. Voices, taken from voice messages, speak not only of illness and sadness but also of hope and everyday life. Two times and two places intertwine, united by the voices that run through them and by the nostalgia and absence they evoke. Tigers Can Be Seen in the Rain is a delicate collage between movement and stillness, between homeland and adopted country, between present and memory, and between presence and disappearance—an experimental essay on mourning and a tribute to a loved one gone too soon. (AJL)

Short film precedes Crab Trap

”A brave, sensitive, and necessary attempt to reclaim the living memory of salsa……A sincere and devoted love letter to a music that pulses through the veins of millions”. André Didyme-Dôme ROLLING STONE

A vibrant journey through a genre born of Afro-Cuban rhythms—mambo, guaracha, guaguancó—fused with the drive of New York jazz, and one that found its second homeland in Cali, Colombia. With historical rigor, the film traces the musical voyage back and forth between Havana, New York, and Cali, showing how salsa became a shared language across cultures. It then dives into daily life in Cali, portraying dancers, collectors, young enthusiasts, and veteran masters who keep the tradition alive in cabarets, competitions, and on the streets. Featuring testimonies from icons such as Rubén Blades, Henry Fiol, and Willie Rosario, it celebrates the popular resilience of a genre that remains identity, passion, and community.

TICKETS:

TICKETS:

Since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, A POET has traveled the world receiving awards, but above all, applause and laughter. A gem of Colombian cinema, prepare for an unforgettable journey to a place you never imagined: the poetry circle of Medellín.

Óscar Restrepo, the poet of the title, has been incapable of measuring up to his promising first steps in literature, and gets by as he can while caring for his mother. Óscar finds a kindred spirit in his student Yurlady, a young woman whom he sees as a diamond in the rough of poetry.

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!

Seventy-year-old José de los Santos lives in a village on Colombia’s Pacific coast. He learned the art of ritual burial as a child. Like his ancestors who were brought to Colombia as African slaves, he accompanies the dying and the dead on their way to eternal rest. One day, the ghost of his son Pium Pium, who was brutally murdered years ago, appears to José and tells him of his own impending death. Pium Pium warns his father that he must not die near his home; above all, he must be sure to cross over to the other side in peace. José embarks on his final journey, entering the jungle to find a place to die. But the area is controlled by armed groups. He must dodge their bullets and violence to save his soul from purgatory.

World Premiere, Berlin Film Festival, 2024
Seven Nominations to the Macondo Prize -Colombian Film Academy Awards-.

“The film excels most potently in its visual style, with cinematographer Juan Velásquez bringing an emotive warmth to each scene“. Olivia Popp, Cine Europa.

What is the cost of beauty? In the 80’s, the floriculture industry was booming in Colombia and was internationally acclaimed. However, behind the idyllic image of abundance, the reality is different. The documentary film denounces the use of pesticides in the flower fields of the Colombian savannah as well as the working conditions of the mostly female workforce. Starting from an anthropological approach, the film collects during five years the testimonies of the workers and follows them in their daily life. A pioneering film about emancipation, dignity and the fight for the environment.

In 2023 LOVE, WOMEN AND FLOWERS was the first Colombian film to be presented at the Classics section, at the Cannes Film Festival.

This restored copy includes an interview with director Marta Rodríguez at the end of the film, who is still thriving at 92.