The 2026 Vancouver International Film Festival has opened with world premieres and local filmmaking represented on the opening day red carpet.
The Story
The 2026 Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) has opened in Vancouver, bringing filmmakers and talent to the red carpet for opening day.
Among the films drawing attention is The Bryce Lee Story, directed by Arnold Lim. Lim said the film is about “a little Asian boy named Bryce Lee who lies about being related to Bruce Lee just to fit in at school,” and it asks “can you make other people love you?” He added that while the story teaches audiences “you can’t make other people love you, but you can choose,” and “you choose to love others.”
Lim said the film offers audiences a glimpse into his own B.C. upbringing, explaining, “We set the film here on Vancouver Island, and that’s where I grew up.” He described the story as centring on “a young immigrant family” that comes to “a small community in B.C.,” saying “B.C. is such a rich part of the film … there are so many layers where B.C. becomes a character in the film.”
Young talent Cordelia Chao plays Mei Lee, Bryce’s sister. The 10-year-old Chao said she was “really fun” working on the project and that she believes Mei is “really fun and makes bold choices,” adding excitement for the film’s world premiere at VIFF.
Another world premiere highlighted at VIFF is Send the Rain, which directors describe as an intergenerational story. Director Hayley Gray said it is “about love, connection, culture, and the wildfires.” Erika Prevost, who acted in the film, said, “It’s a family story,” and said she hopes “lots of families go to see our movie together.”
Prevost also said the festival has given her time in Metro Vancouver, saying it was her “first time spending proper time in Vancouver” and that she is “plotting a move here,” adding, “You guys have the mountains and the city. It is the perfect place to me!”
Homegrown talent was a point of celebration for several filmmakers. Joella Cabalu, director of First Comes Love: Nakabingwit, said, “Vancouver has so much talent here,” and that she is “so proud to be in the Canadian community here, there’s so much talent here.”
Lim said he views VIFF as vital to independent filmmakers, saying he feels “so grateful to be part of this” and calling it “a celebration of independent film and Canadian art,” with the films presented “preserv[ing] the history of Canadians.”
Tickets to VIFF screenings are now on sale.
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