Watcha Want: VIFF 2026
Watcha Want: 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.
Transplanted from Hong Kong to Vancouver on a temporary visa, Yin Tse (Isabella Wei, Bridgerton), a restless trophy wife, rises above her absentee husband’s infidelity by rekindling her passion for dancing. A chance encounter brings Yin under the wing of dance studio owner Penny (Helen Dang), who helps her train for an audition at an elite dance program. But when Yin’s wealthy husband (Hugh Tran) returns from Hong Kong, she is forced to choose between material comfort and the freedom to be herself.
Manifesting the rhythm and charm of Vancouver’s city streets, this earnest drama from acclaimed writer-director Mina Shum (Meditation Park, VIFF 2017) brings a zesty hip-hop flavour to her signature themes of self-discovery, personal liberation, and female solidarity in the Asian diaspora. Luminaries Ming-Na Wen (Mulan) and Tzi Ma (The Farewell) provide gravitas and comic relief, while the film’s charismatic cast of dancers delight us with their dazzling choreography. A tribute to the joys of self-expression through movement, Whatcha Want will have your heart doing backflips.
Sunday, October 11
Doors: 3:00 pm | Film: 3:30 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.
