POV35 Film Festival – The 35th Persistence of Vision (POV) Film Festival

Join us as we celebrate the works of the next generation of filmmakers at the 35th Annual Persistence of Vision (POV) Film Festival, happening September 21 – 22. Proudly presented by the UBC Film Production Program students and co-presented by Peliplat.

Over two nights at the iconic Rio Theatre, the 35th Annual POV Film Festival will showcase bold new perspectives through two curated programs, presented across three screening slots:

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SCREENING 1 - Retina Programme - September 21, Matinee Screening (Non-Competition)

3:30PM Open doors - Please arrive on time
4:15PM - 6:00PM Screening

We are opening the festival with films that challenge us in unique ways — experimenting with format, narrative, and theme. Created by UBC students working beyond the traditional “film school” framework, we showcase emerging voices who are carving their own paths as bold, independent filmmakers.

Retina Programme features:

A STILL LIFE (directed by Andrew Lee)
ALBERTA GOTHIC (directed by Leif Bergsma)
CHERRY (directed by Anton Hing)
GRAVE IN THE CLOUDS (directed by Elijah Marche)
HIRAETH (directed by Eridanus Redenbach)
JAZEERA (directed by Khazina Qureshi)
ORVAL (directed by Konstantin Belenko)
OTEHIMIN (directed by Liara Standingcloud) 

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SCREENING 2 - Iris Programme A - September 21, Evening Screening (Competition)

6:30PM Open doors - Please arrive on time
7:30PM - 11:30PM Programme Proper

The Iris Programme is a series of short films created by 3rd and 4th year students of the UBC Film Production Program. This collection celebrates deeply personal stories carried from local to global perspectives, brought together at UBC. Like the iris — shaped by genetics and environment, and found in endless shades of black, brown, green, blue, and hazel, each film reflects a unique way of seeing, interpreting, and telling stories. The Iris Programme honors these singular viewpoints and, through each filmmaker’s lens, invites you to experience the worlds they come from and their persistence of vision.

Iris Programme A features:

AFTER LIFE, AFTER DEATH (directed by Melrose Yan)
BREAK (directed by Thomas Morrow)
FINE, ART (directed by KR Gonzales)
SINKING (directed by Annie Liu)
THE BALLAD OF A NATIVE MAN (directed by Penny J. Gullion)
UNSPOKEN (directed by Win He)

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SCREENING 3  - Iris Programme B + Awards Night - September 22, Evening Screening (Competition)

6:30PM Open doors - Please arrive on time
7:30PM - 11:30PM Programme Proper

Screening 3 is a continuation of the Iris Programme, a series of short films created by 3rd and 4th year students of the UBC Film Production Program. 

Iris Programme B features:

AMOR ETERNO (directed by Joshua Brad-lee Garrido)
DRINKING LIQUORICE AT NIGHT (directed by Hana Huggins)
DUSTHEADS (directed by Ruth Tesfahun)
E FOR EFFORT, NEVER EXCELLENCE (directed by Sarah Shahab)
FRIENDLY VISITOR (directed by Aryan Kurungode)
WINTER TAMARIND (directed by Anna Sreekullkorn)

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Regular 2-Night Festival Pass
Enjoy access to all programs and the Awards Ceremony. Rio’s Orchestra Section is allotted for Festival Pass holders
– $35.00 + tax

Reserve your seats today!