Chillin’ in a theatre is never a bad idea (unless you’re about to watch Glass.) Here are five cool cinematic events happening this winter.

Vancouver Short Film Festival 

Director Melanie Jones’s nutso Crazy 8s badminton comedy “Shuttlecock” is among the 39 titles playing at this year’s VSFF, coming to the Vancity Theatre January 25 and 26.

SPARK FX 2019 Conference 

Go behind the scenes Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Aquaman, and Venom at this year’s conference for animators and VFX artists, taking place at various venues from February 8 to 10.

Just for Laughs Film Festival 

Back for its second year, look for the Vancouver premiere of Family (starring Taylor Schilling)  among the goodies in this 10-day big-screen yuk-fest, taking place at various venues from February 14 to 23.

Ganja & Hess 

Little seen but deeply admired, Bill Gunn’s hallucinatory 1973 vampire story is only blaxploitation by vicinity to the grindhouse flicks being made at the same time. See the restoration at Cinemateque starting February 15.

The Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival 

The 21st edition of this multi-venue celebration of the outdoor life takes place from February 22 to March 3. Look for a program announcement on January 28.