VIFF Ends With a Gala Splash and a Farewell

After 16 days of fantastic films, the Vancouver International Film Festival closed their 2013 festival with a feeling of great achievement. They reached new audiences, survived the shut-down of their main theatre and thrived in new locations, and built a platform for growth and renewal of their well-established organization. While the big winners this year were enthusiastic audience members, the closing ceremony, held at the Vancouver Playhouse, saw directors and writers taking home big honours for their work. BEST CANADIAN FIRST FEATURE AWARD (tie) Rhymes for Young Ghouls and That Burning Feeling. THE MOST PROMISING DIRECTOR OF A CANADIAN SHORT FILM AWARD Mathieu Arsenault, Nathan. WOMEN IN FILM + TELEVISION ARTISTIC MERIT AWARD Chloé Robichaud, Sarah Prefers to Run. AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS Rogers People’s Choice Award Like Father, Like Son (Director: Koreeda Hirokazu) VIFF Most Popular Canadian Documentary Award When I Walk (Director: Jason DaSilva) VIFF Most Popular Canadian Environmental Documentary Award Salmon Confidential (Director: Twyla Roscovich) VIFF Most Popular Canadian Feature Film Award Down River (Director: Ben Ratner) VIFF Most Popular International Documentary Desert Runners (Director: Jennifer Steinman) VIFF Most Popular First Feature Wadjda (Director: Haifaa Al Mansour) In the wake of the celebrations festival director Alan Franey announced that he would be leaving on a high note, though his resignation is more of a stepping sideways than a stepping down. "I hope to remain very much involved with VIFF but to focus on programming. I also hope to live a more balanced life and to have more time for other pursuits. Don’t we all?! For me that day has come," says Franey. Franey has been with the festival for 32 years, 26 of which he has spent as director. He helped make VIFF one of the most successful events of its kind in the world, and he will continue to bring that expertise to bear looking at submissions, travelling to festivals, and choosing films. Not ready to say goodbye to VIFF? Keep an eye out for further screenings of VIFF13 films, including Camille Claudel, 1915 (beginning Oct. 18) and A Touch of Sin (beginning Nov. 1).