Vancouver Asian Film Festival

What Vancouver Asian Film Festival does

The Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) is a Canadian non-profit society founded in 1995 by Barbara K. Lee and headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. It operates Canada's longest-running pan-Asian diaspora film festival, debuting in September 1997 and reaching its 30th edition (VAFF30) scheduled for November 5–15, 2026. The organization's mission is to showcase, mentor, and amplify Asian Canadian and broader Asian diaspora storytellers across film, television, and media, while addressing underrepresentation and anti-Asian racism. VAFF reaches approximately 5,000 audience members annually during its 11-day festival and maintains year-round programming including MAMM (Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon) mentorship and competition, VAFF Industry panels and networking, the AIM (Asians in Movies, Media and Music) sync summit, the Elimin8Hate advocacy initiative, and the VAFF Film Fund grant program.

VAFF's product portfolio is built around the flagship annual film festival — a hybrid event combining in-person screenings at Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas in Vancouver's Chinatown with a seven-day Canada-wide online festival — plus recurring programs that monetize and extend the brand. Core offerings include feature-length and short film programs (up to 25 in-person and virtual programs per festival), a minimum prize fund of approximately $6,500 CAD for Canadian Features and Shorts awards, filmmaker mentorship through MAMM, music industry education through AIM, and corporate-style sponsorship tiers. The technology stack is conventional: WordPress and Elementor for web, FilmFreeway for film submissions, VTix and Eventbrite for ticketing, Mailchimp for newsletters, PayPal for donations, and Adobe Creative Suite and Google Drive for creative and operational work. No proprietary technology or AI capabilities are evident.

Revenue is generated through a diversified non-profit mix: corporate sponsorship (with Canada Media Fund as presenting sponsor alongside Telefilm Canada, Creative BC, Bell Media, Warner Bros Discovery, TELUS Storyhive, and Vancouver Film School), public funding (City of Vancouver, BC Arts Council, Province of British Columbia), private donations via PayPal, ticket and VIP pass sales ($100–$150 CAD), film submission fees ($30–$75 USD with tiered deadlines), and a nominal $2 annual membership required for unclassified screenings. Operations are run by 27 paid employees and 100–150 annual volunteers, with distribution primarily domestic (Vancouver in-person, Canada-wide online).

Name

Vancouver Asian Film Festival

Legal name

Vancouver Asian Film Festival Society

Website

https://vaff.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) is a Vancouver-based non-profit operating Canada's longest-running pan-Asian diaspora film festival, serving Asian diaspora filmmakers, emerging storytellers, and film audiences through an annual hybrid festival and year-round mentorship, industry, and advocacy programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival & Cultural Arts Programming

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (71132), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers (MPADAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community & Cultural Screenings (Museums, Cultural Centers) (MPADAKAH)

Keywords

• Asian film festival
• Film screening events
• Filmmaker mentorship programs
• Cultural arts programming
• Community film advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership required for admission to film screenings (18+ age requirement due to unclassified films). Members receive priority access to exclusive screenings, special events, and early access to festival ticket sales.
2. Ticket sales and VIP passes: Revenue from festival film screenings, VIP passes (previously $100-$150), and ticket bundles for documentary series and shorts programs.
3. Corporate sponsorship: Financial support from presenting sponsors, benefactors, industry sponsors, festival sponsors, and public funders including Canada Media Fund, Telefilm Canada, Creative BC, Bell Media, and various corporate sponsors at different tiers.
4. Donations: Accepts donations through PayPal for supporting the organization's mission of Asian representation in film and media.
5. Film submission fees: Submission fees ranging from free (Canadian Shorts/Features on promo day) to $30-$75 USD depending on film type and deadline (Early Bird, Regular, Last Chance).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) operates an annual pan-Asian diaspora film festival in Vancouver, screening feature films, shorts, documentaries, animation, and experimental works with Asian creative and cast involvement. The organization complements the festival with year-round programs including the MAMM (Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon) filmmaking competition and mentorship, VAFF Industry panel discussions and networking, the AIM (Asians in Movies, Media and Music) sync summit, and the Elimin8Hate anti-racism advocacy initiative.

Product overview

Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) is a non-profit arts organization operating a portfolio of programs centered on its flagship annual film festival. The core offering includes the Annual Film Festival showcasing Asian diaspora and international films, complemented by MAMM (Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon) which provides mentorship and competition-based filmmaking support for emerging Asian storytellers. Supporting programs include the VAFF Industry Program with panel discussions and networking, Elimin8Hate advocacy initiative, and AIM (Asians in Movies, Media and Music) sync summit. Additional offerings include the Film Fund grant program and Loyalty Membership providing exclusive access benefits. The organization reaches close to 5,000 audience members annually across its 11-day festival and year-round programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MAMM: Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon - a year-round program supporting Asian filmmakers
• Elimin8Hate
• AIM
• VAFF Industry
• VAFF Film Fund

Products and services

• Annual Film Festival Flagship annual film festival showcasing Asian, North American, and international films featuring Asian talent. Features up to 25 in-person and virtual film programs including feature length films, shorts, documentaries, experimental, and animation, with Artist/Concept Spotlight, International Spotlight, panel discussions, and gala events.
• MAMM (Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon) Year-round mentorship and competition-based filmmaking program for emerging Asian storytellers, including the MAMMentorship program with workshops, 1-on-1 mentorship, team production support, and a Gala program celebrating participants.
• VAFF Industry Program Year-round industry engagement program featuring panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities to discuss diversity issues in film, television, and media and mobilize advocacy.
• Elimin8Hate Advocacy arm of VAFF focused on combating anti-Asian racism through awareness campaigns, resources, and community support.
• AIM (Asians in Movies, Media and Music) Annual sync summit program focused on the behind-the-scenes of music sync and licensing, helping Asian music creators land successful sync placements in film, TV, and commercials.
• Film Fund Funding program supporting Asian filmmakers with grants for film projects that meet VAFF's mandate of promoting Asian culture and identity in film.
• Loyalty Membership Annual membership program offering priority access to exclusive screenings, special member events, and early access to festival ticket sales. Required for attending unclassified film screenings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tens of thousands of film lovers have experienced diverse selection of Asian, North American, and International films since 1997
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Vancouver Film SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2023 Festival Sponsor - Vancouver-based film school providing creative industry education.
• Chotime ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue host for AIM3 Sync Summit 2025 at 732 Richards Street, Vancouver.
• The Portside PubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for See Us Hear Us 2.0 live music celebration at 7 Alexander St, Vancouver.
• C3K Korean Canadian SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Supporter organization.
• CelluloidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Supporter organization.
• VIFFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Supporter - Vancouver International Film Festival.
• VIFFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Supporter - Vancouver International Film Festival.
• CinevolutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Supporter organization.
• Crazy8sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Supporter - Vancouver film organization.
• DOCBCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Supporter - documentary filmmaking organization.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VAFFvancouver
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMbFKdPXxsmbmXLF8Ssm04g
• Facebookfacebook.com/VAFFvancouver
• Instagraminstagram.com/vaffvancouver
• TikToktiktok.com/@vaffvancouver
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vaff

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vancouver Asian Film Festival