4 Vancouver Film School alumni showcase powerful stories at VIFF’s 44th Film Festival

Fall is officially upon us. You know what that means – pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, and Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF). For Vancouver’s film industry and community, there is no greater celebration of independent cinema than VIFF. Over 11 days this October, around 170 features and 100 shorts will be screened across 10 venues, bringing filmmakers and cinephiles together from around the world.

This year, Vancouver Film School is pleased to share that four of our alumni – Mayumi Yoshida, Kent Donguines, Tathagata Ghosh, and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers – will be showcasing their work at VIFF through 2 features, 1 short, and a starring role.

AKASHI – DIRECTED BY MAYUMI YOSHIDA

VFS Acting for Film & Television alum Mayumi Yoshida brings her deeply personal vision to the screen with Akashi, a feature adaptation of her award-winning short. Blending black-and-white cinematography with bursts of colour, Yoshida’s film follows a grieving artist returning to Tokyo, where family secrets and old flames resurface. Exploring identity, love, and belonging, Akashi is both intimate and universal. With Yoshida starring, writing, and directing, the film reflects her bold creative voice and reaffirms her as one of Vancouver’s most dynamic storytellers.

TREASURE OF THE RICE TERRACES – DIRECTED BY KENT DONGUINES

VFS Film Production alum Kent Donguines returns to the Philippines in his poignant documentary feature Treasure of the Rice Terraces. Guided by legendary tattoo artist Apo Whang-od, Donguines explores the revival of Kalinga tattooing, a tradition once suppressed by colonization but now celebrated as a powerful symbol of identity. Part cultural journey, part personal reconnection, the film is a moving testament to heritage, resilience, and community. With its intimate perspective and global resonance, Treasure of the Rice Terraces amplifies Indigenous voices while showcasing Donguines’ vision as a filmmaker bridging cultures.

MY COMRADE – DIRECTED BY TATHAGATA GHOSH

VFS Writing for Film, Television & Games alum Tathagata Ghosh premieres My Comrade at VIFF, a stirring short that blends romance and political tension. In rural India, a villager shelters a wounded Naxalite insurgent, sparking a fragile connection that challenges safety and solidarity. Shot in Bengali and Santali, the 25-minute drama continues Ghosh’s festival-acclaimed work spotlighting marginalized voices and urgent stories. With previous recognition at Berlinale and beyond, My Comrade solidifies Ghosh’s reputation for bold, socially resonant storytelling on the world stage.

SWEET ANGEL BABY – CO-STARRING ELLE-MÁIJÁ TAILFEATHERS

VFS Acting for Film & Television alum Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers stars in Sweet Angel Baby, a daring drama about secrecy, identity, and small-town hypocrisies. Playing Toni, the only openly queer woman in her Newfoundland community, Tailfeathers brings nuance and strength to a story of friendship, isolation, and authenticity. Her role anchors the film’s exploration of visibility and courage, highlighting Tailfeathers’ versatility as both an acclaimed actor and filmmaker. Sweet Angel Baby is another powerful entry in her growing body of work amplifying underrepresented voices.

ABOUT VIFF

Now in its 44th year, the Vancouver International Film Festival is one of North America’s largest film festivals and a cornerstone of Canada’s cultural landscape. Each fall, VIFF presents hundreds of films from around the world, with a strong emphasis on Canadian and Indigenous storytelling, as well as innovative works in cinema, XR, and immersive media. Beyond screenings, the festival fosters dialogue between artists and audiences through panels, talks, and live events, creating a vibrant hub for global storytelling. VIFF is dedicated to championing bold voices, connecting filmmakers to industry and audiences, and celebrating the transformative power of cinema.

READY TO START YOUR FILMMAKING TRAINING?

VFS’s School of Film & Television offers five unique creative programs that span the entertainment industry: Film Production, Acting for Film & Television, Writing for Film, Television & Games, Makeup Design for Film & Television, and Sound Design for Visual Media. Through our signature, hands-on training and portfolio building, aspiring creators can be fully trained for their career in the film and television industry in just 1 short year.

Book an appointment today to speak with a VFS Advisor and start planning your creative training.

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