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A Safe Distance: 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.


When unfulfilled 35-year-old Alex (Bethany Brown) turns down a proposal from her long-term boyfriend (Chris McNally) during a camping trip, he abandons her in the woods. Alone and injured, Alex is rescued by former lifeguard Kianna (Tandia Mercedes) and her self-styled progressive partner Matt (Cody Kearsley). As Alex warms up to the couple at their off-the-grid campsite, her curiosity unfurls into a sexual awakening. But when she starts to suspect her rescuers are responsible for a series of high-profile bank robberies, she finds herself dangerously entangled in their shifting power dynamics.

Set against the lush backdrop of British Columbia’s forests, this feature-length expansion of director/editor Gloria Mercer’s feminist short of the same name (a throwback to VIFF 2021) weds the intrigue of a slow-burn crime drama with the tension of a psychosexual thriller. Lingering zooms and a mesmerizing score by Caleb Chan imbue the film with apprehension and longing, as the latent wilderness within our heroine blooms to a bloody climax.

“Slippery, seductive, and smartly titillating.” – Kristy Puchko, Mashable

Monday, October 5
Doors: 8:15 pm | Film: 8:45 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.

After a woman is abandoned by her boyfriend in the forest, she befriends a couple and gradually realizes they are a pair of notorious bank robbers on the run from the law.

Release Year

Rated

Canada

Country Of Origin

Gloria Mercer

Director

English

Languages

86 minutes

Runtime