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.

British filmmaker Andrew Haigh is known for piercing relationship dramas like 45 Years and All of Us Strangers. He first picked up the rights to Colm Toibin’s short story A Long Winter more than a decade ago — before he’d even made his first feature — but it was only with the success of Strangers that he was able to get it funded.

Set in the Colorado Rockies in the 1950s (and shot in stunning Alberta locations), this is the story of a young man (Fred Hetchinger) living in a cabin 15 miles from town with his mother (Caitríona Mary Balfe, Outlander) and father (Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear) and a younger brother about to ship out to Korea (Kit Connor). Mike likes things just as they are, but over a tragic few months he’ll learn some hard home truths…

Juxtaposing the claustrophobia of the cabin with the vast expanse of the Rockies, A Long Winter feels both close and distant — a story from another time with echoes of familiar struggles.

Content Considerations: Brief scenes of animal slaughter

Saturday, October 10
Doors: 5:30 pm | Film: 6:00 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. Please do not contact the Rio Theatre for ticketing info or assistance.

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

VIFF screenings at the Rio Theatre tend to 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 Rio Theate has a small lobby, and coming early helps prevent long lines and bottle-necking.

Please note: Rio 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.