The Vancouver International Film Festival returns for their 45th year this October 1-11 for another curated season celebrating the best in independent, Canadian, documentary, and international shorts and features.

Over one day in Lagos, a society hostess prepares to throw a party — but the past refuses to stay politely outside the room. In Clarissa, twin Nigerian filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri transpose Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway into a city of traffic, privilege, memory, and political unease. Sophie Okonedo plays the titular character with restraint opposite a star-studded Black cast that includes David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, and India Amarteifio.

Following their celebrated debut Eyimofe, the Esiris craft an adaptation that highlights an alertness to literature, place, and style. Shot on 35mm, with music by Kelsey Lu, Clarissa is an utterly gorgeous feat of design, rhythm, and cinematic poise. Its non-linear construction bridges the protagonist’s high-society present with the memory of her younger self, while interiors, clothes, flowers, architecture, and party preparations uncover facets of Clarissa’s identity. A premiere in this year’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, the film turns one woman’s day into a spectacular Nigerian vision of class performance, lost possibility, and the lives people carry inside them.

Sunday, October 4
Doors 2:30 pm | Film 3:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets HERE

For detailed Vancouver International Film Fest information, including current showtimes and advance ticketing, please re-direct to www.viff.org.

All ticketing for VIFF events are managed by VIFF. If you have any questions about ticketing and availability, please connect with them directly. The Park Theatre will be unable to provide any ticketing info or purchasing assistance.

Unless otherwise noted, all VIFF screenings and events at the Park Theatre are 19+ only. Please have valid ID with you upon arrival.

VIFF screenings at the Park Theatre will be busy! All seating is General Admission. We encourage all patrons to purchase tickets in advance to ensure entry, and to please come early (20-30 mins at least) to ensure time to locate great seats and purchase drinks and snacks at concession. The Park Theatre has a small lobby, and coming early helps prevent long lines and bottle-necking.

Please note: Park Theatre Groupons and passes are n/a for any VIFF events.

VIFF thanks the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations for their continued stewardship of the unceded and occupied land on which our work takes place. As an organization founded and predominantly directed by settlers and immigrants, we understand our responsibility to seek out and build authentic relationships with Indigenous communities, and to allow this ongoing dialogue to influence our practices. As part of this process, we remain committed to collaborating with and supporting Indigenous artists, filmmakers, curators, and audiences.