Stupid Co and the Rio Theatre presents the third annual OFF-VIFF – a platform for the underground. Featuring the West Coast premieres of Avalon Fast and Jillian Frank’s DRINKING AND DRIVING, Louise Weard’s celebrated CASTRATION MOVIE CHAPTER III, and local wrestling doc ENEMIES: A TALE OF FRIENDSHIP. Plus, a very special screening of Wayne Wappemukwa’s newest project to hit screens, MANHUNT.

With Booze! Popcorn! Grilled cheese sandwiches! And more! Come early and stay late!

Inspired by true events, two young men go on a road trip to escape their dead-end lives. They drive through empty towns and vast forests as their lives dissolve between digital fantasy and offline reality. Reframing true crime as a parable, MANHUNT probes loneliness, masculinity, and the colonial dream of beginning anew—until the search for meaning turns into violence. Chasing salvation in the vast northern frontier, two boys discover they can’t outrun what they’ve become. With Harris Lowe, Landon Tunold, Bianca Foscht, Dilara Foscht.

Wayne Wapeemukwa’s sophomore film has stayed with us in a way that few films have. It’s a gripping, unpredictable and painfully human film. Wapeemukwa is as masterful in the directed image as he is with performance. Manhunt will have you on the edge of your seat. And you could cut through the tension with a bullet from a 3d printed gun.

“A harrowing glimpse into the inner psychology of a generation struggling to find a place in the modern world.” (International Cinephile Society)

Monday, October 12
Doors 3:00 pm | Movie 3:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

OFF-VIFF Day Pass HERE
Single Film Ticket HERE

Wayne Wapeemukwa is an Indigenous (Michif) filmmaker and philosopher based in Canada. His debut feature, Luk’Luk’I, premiered at TIFF, where it won Best Canadian First Feature, as well as the DGC’s Discovery Prize for Best New Director. His second feature, Manhunt, opened the International Competition at the Locarno Film Festival, where it received Third Prize from the Junior Jury, and continues its international festival run. MANHUNT had its world premiere in competition at Locarno Film Festival.

MANHUNT (Wayne Wapeemukwa, 2026 / 103 mins / NR)

ABOUT OFF-VIFF

OFF-VIFF was created in 2024 by filmmaker Arran Shearing, and supported by Stupid Co.’s Kyle Greenberg and Anna Maguire with the idea of platforming local films in ways the other Vancouver festivals weren’t doing. We wanted to remind our fellow filmmakers (and ourselves) that we didn’t need permission to play our films in the city we’re from. Now, three years in, we try to program a different vision of what a BC film can be. Through our fun and subversive festival selections we hope to inspire filmmakers and audiences to expand their ideas of what makes a successful film.

*Must be 18+ for entry. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Sorry, Rio Theatre Groupons and passes n/a for this event.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
*Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. Please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats, and time for treats at concession.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges.