Celebrate 25 years of Canadian movie magic at the Whistler Film Festival
The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) is rolling out the red carpet for its 25th anniversary this season, and it’s inviting film lovers from coast to coast (and beyond) to see what Canada is made of. And for certain films, this means 2001 pricing will be back!
Running from Wednesday, Dec. 3, to Sunday, Dec. 7, this year’s edition promises an unforgettable mix of Canadian stories, international award-winners, and Oscar contenders.
With 106 films in the lineup, including 10 Shortworks packages, and a full slate of events like Q&As and filmmaker après, there’s no better place to kick off the holiday season than the snowcapped mountains in the town of Whistler.
Here’s a little taste of what to expect.
A full line-up of incredible films
The festival kicks off with two great offerings: the star-studded documentary You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution and the mountain culture adventure documentary Forward, and closes with the British period drama The Choral starring Ralph Fiennes.
Other highlights include Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man, Jay Kelly, No Other Choice, and The Tale of Silyan.
WFF is known as an intimate festival that focuses on B.C. filmmakers, and over 60 per cent of its line-up celebrates Canadian cinema.
It highlights homegrown talent through the Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature Film, with thought-provoking documentaries like Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising, thrilling watches like Keeper, and family-friendly programming in the new Morning Fuzzies & Family Favourites program, featuring The Lost Tiger and Sunday Morning Animated Snacks — a lineup of animated shorts.
More than movies
But there’s so much more to WFF than watching films. On Friday, Dec. 5, the festival celebrates a quarter-century of cinematic excellence at the ultimate silver screen soirĂ©e.
This is set to be a night full of music and dancing with a live performance by The Hairfarmers, a silent auction for all your holiday shopping, and movie magic as WFF toasts 25 years of creativity and community. Guests are encouraged to make the most of it and come dressed in as much silver and glitz as possible!
And, if you’ve ever wanted to know what goes on inside the mind of a genre director, now you can find out. On Saturday, Dec. 6, join Osgood Perkins and producer Chris Ferguson for a spine-tingling conversation with George Stroumboulopoulos about the craft of psychological thrillers and the creative process.
The pair have worked on some of the biggest horror films in recent years, including Longlegs, The Monkey, and the upcoming Keeper.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Whistler without a bit of whimsy! So, the Cat Video Fest 2025 is bringing the internet’s favourite felines to the big screen for a crowd-pleasing compilation of hilarious, heartwarming, and utterly chaotic clips. Every ticket sold supports Whistler Animals Galore — proof that good vibes and good causes go hand in paw!
From epic films to parties to cat videos, the Whistler Film Festival’s 25th anniversary has something for everyone.
Tickets, ticket packs, and film and industry passes are available now. Check out the full line-up or purchase tickets on the Whistler Film Festival website.
Whistler Film Festival
When: Wednesday, Dec. 3, to Sunday, Dec. 7
Where: Various locations across Whistler
Cost: Different price points are available, individual tickets start at $22 or get a Canadian 6-pack (2001 pricing!) for only $36 – available here.