A guide to Vancouver’s film scene

by Gregory Adams

Getting your fingers covered in popcorn butter at a megaplex is a time-honoured tradition for many local filmgoers. However, there are plenty of other screening options out there for Vancouver cinephiles looking for an experience that’s a bit different than seeing the latest super hero blockbuster on the megascreen. The city's film scene is rich with theatres big and small, not to mention festivals bringing out a mix of hot docs, global gems and locally-made movie masterpieces. Read on for a primer on how to discover all kinds of unique onscreen action. [Photo credit: iStock/ollo]

Look, we're not saying you need to stop going to traditional cinemas. Chances are you're going to be hitting Scotiabank Theatre for all your 3D action needs. The Cineplex Odeon at the top of International Village Mall is a great multi-screen spot where you can see both big budget thrillers and indie flicks backed by some serious Oscar buzz. Try stepping outside of your comfort zone, though, by checking out a smaller cinema.

• Looking for a riotous theatre experience? The Rio on Broadway, just steps away from the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station, might be the most high energy movie house in town. Making use of the elevated stage in front of the movie screen, the multi-purpose venue has also paired live drag shows with cult classics and hosted post-film Q&As with directors from around the globe. Night owls can also show up on the weekends for midnight movie screenings.
• Whether it's dames and detectives-style film noir marathons, a double bill of '50s sci-fi or a pensive French new wave screening, you're bound to get a crash course on film history at Howe Street's Pacific Cinematheque. You'll need to join the Pacific Cinémathèque Pacifique Society to come inside, but the $3 annual membership fee is more than worth it. You also get a price break if you want to watch a double bill, so stick around for the second show.

You might be accustomed to getting excited for the show once the lights start dimming, but you don't always have to have a roof over your head to enjoy a movie.

• Summers in Vancouver come with plenty of outdoor movie options, like the annual Evo Summer Cinema Series that has shown family favourites like The Goonies and The Lego Batman Movie on a giant inflatable screen in Stanley Park's Ceperley Meadow.
• The Vancouver Civic Theatres team have also staged free screenings in unorthodox locales like the outdoor plaza in front of Queen Elizabeth Theatre. No need to wait in line for a ticket – just bring a blanket to sit on, a handful of snacks and enjoy.
• If you're up for a road trip, head out to Aldergrove's Twilight Drive-In Theatre. Metro Vancouver's only old-school drive-in movie theatre shows modern blockbusters every night, rain or shine. With over 400 parking spaces, there's plenty of room for you to pull up and park, pay admission and dial into the Twilight's FM station. First screening starts at dusk.

Film festivals are a special time for cinephiles, with large events presenting a wide variety of films that wouldn't necessarily screen at your everyday cinema. Considering how many of these showings are one-time only, grab a fest pass and see as much as you can!

• There's something to be said for getting lost in the plot of a sword-swinging fantasy, but often the most compelling stories around can be found IRL. Presented by Vancouver's Documentary Media Society each May, the annual DOXA festival brings numerous shorts and features to a variety of venues around town. Whether it's exploring B.C. First Nations history, Tokyo's J-pop idols or global politics, DOXA is an entertaining look at the world around you. The society also stages special documentary screenings throughout the rest of the year.
• VIFF is the city's premier film fest, a two-week extravaganza of films – starting in late September – that range from tear-jerking personal dramas to informative docs to conceptual art horror. It's a busy time for moviegoers, with hundreds of films from around the world screening at various spaces around town, including Vancity Theatre, a gorgeous downtown venue that doubles as the headquarters for the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society.
• Vancouver's Queer Film Festival is an all-inclusive event specializing in LGBTQ cinema. The August-timed event is the second biggest film fest in town, behind VIFF, and the largest queer arts event in Western Canada. Their large program includes movies, performances, panel talks and parties.
• Your next favourite film may be made right in your hometown. Events like Open Mic Movie Nights, held at the Rio, give local aspiring filmmakers the chance to show their work to the general public. It's a good chance to catch local actors and directors before they make it on the festival circuit.
• Also, be sure to check out Vancouver International Women in Film Festival (March), Vancouver South African Film Festival (March/April), Vancouver Latin American Film Festival (August/September), Vancouver Asian Film Festival (November), Vancouver Foreign Film Society (year round) and Reel Causes (year round).