The Vancouver International Film Festival has reimagined its event, announcing an online celebration that will run from September 24 to October 7.

The program boasts 100 feature films, plus shorts, Creator Talks, and educational offerings, available to all British Columbians.

VIFF says it's aiming to go beyond a video-on-demand experience for its 39th annual celebration, holding interactive conversations with the filmmakers. To that end, it's developing VIFF Connect, a new online streaming platform designed in partnership with Toronto-based media company CineSend.

“This year, VIFF has a unique opportunity to connect the communities we serve and encourage meaningful engagement with both the work and one another,” said Curtis Woloschuk, VIFF’s associate director of programming, in the announcement. “Rather than thinking about the restrictions imposed on us, we instead considered the opportunities that had been presented. We’re excited by VIFF Connect and the possibilities that exist online to celebrate new work, support emerging filmmakers and extend our programmatic offerings to more communities in the province.”

VIFF will begin announcing 2020 programming in early August, with tickets and passes available for purchase later that month. 

In the meantime, it continues to offer virtual titles through VIFF at Home programming via its website.