The History of Concrete: VIFF 2026
The History of Concrete: VIFF 2026
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.
How does a filmmaker get the greenlight for their dream documentary project amid an ongoing industry contraction? If you’re the idiosyncratic mastermind behind HBO’s How To with John Wilson, you attend a workshop on pitching saccharine Hallmark movies then apply all the same best practices to your own film: an in-depth investigation of concrete (the most ubiquitous of building materials).
With his first feature, documentarian and humourist Wilson continues his methodology of starting with a seemingly straighforward idea and using it as a jumping off point for frequently absurd and endlessly entertaining detours, asides, and digressions. Maintaining the format of his series, History of Concrete sees Wilson adroitly assembling low-resolution verité vignettes into collages that complement his deadpan philosophising. Guiding it all is Wilson’s infectious sense of inquiry and laudable desire to retain his artistic freedom in defiance of the powers-that-be.
Friday, October 2
Doors: 5:30 pm | Film: 6:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets HERE
Wednesday, October 7
Doors 8:30 pm | Film 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets HERE
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.
