How to Make the Most of Your Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) Weekend
Summer in Vancouver may be coming to an end, but shorter days do not mean the city is slowing down. One of Vancouver’s most anticipated festivals, the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), is returning October 1–11 for its 45th year! The VIFF roster will showcase some of the world’s best cinema alongside engaging talks, live performances and one-of-a-kind events.
As one of the season’s standout Vancouver events, VIFF is the perfect excuse for cinephiles and casual moviegoers alike to experience Vancouver in all its autumnal glory. Between screenings, fuel up with great food, cozy up in cafés and enjoy some fall colours and seasonal sightseeing. Attending VIFF and wondering how to make the most of your time between screenings? To help you plan your getaway, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to eat, drink and explore as inspiration for your own VIFF itinerary.
Where to Stay for VIFF
With VIFF screenings taking place at the VIFF Centre downtown and venues across the city, staying downtown makes it easy to get between films while keeping plenty of restaurants, attractions and things to do within easy reach.
Downtown Hotels to Check Out
- Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre - Upscale hotel with a central location close to Robson Street, the seawall, and a 6-minute walk to the VIFF Centre. Amenities include an indoor pool, fitness centre, and on-site dining.
- Wedgewood Hotel & Spa - Luxury boutique hotel only a 12-minute walk to the VIFF Centre. Known for immaculate service, rooms, and dining options.
- Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver - This hotel offers a comfortable, convenient stay at a more modest price point, with the perk of being just a 4-minute walk from the VIFF Centre. Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, fitness centre and an on-site spa.
Where to Grab Coffee or Brunch Before a Screening
Early screenings call for a quick coffee. Later starts allow for a leisurely brunch. Whatever your VIFF schedule looks like, these downtown spots are great places to start the day.
Coffee & Brunch Spots Around the VIFF Centre
- Artigiano - A key player in Vancouver’s coffee culture for 25+ years, Artigiano has multiple locations across the city. Expect expertly crafted espresso, delicious specialty drinks with house-made syrups (we love their strawberry matcha) and great breakfast sandwiches.
- Analog Coffee - Known for famously smooth espresso, single-origin coffees and tasty pastries, this Yaletown favourite is a great place to fuel up for a full day of film and city exploring.
- Cafe Medina - MICHELIN-recommended Mediterranean-inspired brunch. Signature Belgian waffles. And a fabulous cocktail program to kick off your day in the very best way!
Where to Grab Dinner on Your VIFF Weekend Getaway
Stay downtown or venture into Vancouver’s Chinatown, one of the city’s best flavourhoods, to debrief the films you saw that day. Here are three great options, from laid-back to high-end, depending on your weekend vibe.
- Juke Fried Chicken - A casual Chinatown restaurant serving up gluten-free, crispy fried chicken, comfort food classics, and fabulous cocktails when grabbing a seat at its sister restaurant next door, Chickadee Room.
- Torafuku - MICHELIN Guide-recommended Pan-Asian restaurant known for excellent service, inventive cuisine, and seasonal dishes served in a stylish yet relaxed setting.
- Black + Blue - Premier Vancouver steakhouse known for premium cuts and indulgent sides. It’s a white-tablecloth, high-end establishment, but you can also grab a seat on The Roof, their lively restaurant rooftop and lounge, for a more laid-back atmosphere.
What to Do Between VIFF Screenings
If you have a couple of hours to spare, head out for a fall foliage walk in Stanley Park before or after VIFF screenings. Start on the Coal Harbour side of the park and wind your way through the trails, keeping an eye out for the thousands of fungi species that thrive beneath the forest canopy. Zigzag through the trails and along the seawall before emerging at English Bay near the ivy-covered Sylvia Hotel, where the leaves may already be turning brilliant shades of red and gold.
Another incredible escape into nature is Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, just a 20-minute ride from the Vancouver Convention Centre on the park’s free shuttle. Crisp air, a misty rainforest, and a dense forest canopy create an atmosphere at its best in the fall months. Walk across the iconic suspension bridge as the Capilano River rushes below.
If you’re in the mood for an indoor cultural experience, head to the Vancouver Art Gallery, conveniently located in the heart of downtown near Robson Street. Check out the gallery’s impressive Emily Carr collection or one of the many rotating historical and contemporary exhibitions by local and international artists.
Looking for more ideas? Discover more fall activities to add to your itinerary.
Plan Your Vancouver Film Festival Weekend
Two days may only scratch the surface of VIFF and Vancouver in the fall, but that’s all the more reason to start planning your next visit to make the most of your experience. Come for the films, stay for the incredible food scene and autumn foliage. Check out our event calendar to discover even more happening around the city as Vancouver transitions into fall.
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