Vancouver’s longest-running student film festival celebrates 36 years of emerging Canadian cinema with 16 new thesis films from UBC’s Film Production Program
From a story about a suburban housewife enlightened by the teachings of a famous guru shot entirely on film (Egg on My Beard), to a tale about the relationship woes of a Filipina maid (From the Sea), to the set of a film where the director dies mid-production (Animal Farm), POV returns this year to celebrate the films produced by third and fourth year Film Production students during the 2025/26 winter term.
The set of Sick Days; photo by Eunseong Huh
The Persistence of Vision (POV) Film Festival, one of Vancouver’s longest-running student film festivals, will celebrate its 36th year on September 15 and 16 at the historic Rio Theatre. Organized and presented annually by students in our Film Production program, POV showcases the work of emerging filmmakers and offers a platform for the next generation of Canadian cinema.
Founded in 1989 by UBC Alumni director Lynne Stopkewich (Kissed, Suspicious River, The L Word) and producer Stephen Hegyes (Brightlight Pictures), the festival has since fostered a vibrant community of filmmakers and featured the early work of numerous acclaimed Canadian creatives, including Mina Shum (Double Happiness), Bruce Sweeney (Excited), James Liston (Severed), and Julian Clarke (District 9).
The set of Charcoal Darling; photo by Adolfo Bermudez
The closing night will honour standout work across both the third and fourth year film cohorts with awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editor, Best Performer, Best Production Design, Sound Design, Best Score, and the Audience Choice Award.
Schedule:
Iris Programme A — Competition
Tuesday, September 15
Doors 6:30 pm | Event Start 7:30 pm
Animal Farm — directed by Emmi Tsiapalis
Birdie — directed by Tamara Khoury
Charcoal Darling — directed by Ruth Tesfahun
From the Sea — directed by Anton Hing
Jhoom — directed by Khazina Qureshi
Karaoke Club — directed by Jayzee Calingasan
Muddy Waters — directed by Eridanus Redenbach
Sick Days — directed by Andrew Lee
Snap Out of It — directed by Sebastian Isaac-Gooden
Iris Programme B + Awards Night — Competition
Wednesday, September 16
Doors 6:30 pm | Event 7:30 pm
Blue Horse — directed by Helen Shen
Dead Air — directed by Julien Bisnaire Wakeham
Egg on My Beard — directed by Gabriel Porath
Group Therapy — directed by Tasha Mackenzie
Head to Heaven — directed by Anna Sreekullkorn
Madonna — directed by Lauren Berg
Pierrot — directed by Julianne Pascua
*Start times subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets
General Admission $22
2-Night Festival Pass $30 (limited quantity available)
