Vancouver International Film Festival 2026 to open with comedy, satire and Oscar buzz

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeEntertainmentCelebrityFestivalsLocal ArtsTravel VancouverMovies Vancouver International Film Festival 2026 to open with comedy, satire and Oscar buzz Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti headline festival opener The Debut. This year, the festival will present 162 features in total. Author of the article: By Dana Gee Published Aug 26, 2026 2 minute read Join the conversation Julianne Moore stars in The Debut. The film from writer and director Jesse Eisenberg is the official opening film for the 2026 Vancouver International Film Festival. The festival runs Oct. 1-11. PHOTO BY MATT INFANTE /Courtesy of VIFF Article content The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) has announced its 2026 programming. Article content Running Oct. 1-11, VIFF’s 45th edition will present 162 features, including 12 world premieres and 49 Canadian premieres, and 91 short films and two episodic series from 76 different nations. Article content Article content General ticket sales begin at noon on Aug. 27 at viff.org. Article content The opening film for the festival is the much talked about The Debut from writer/director/actor Jesse Eisenberg (When You Finish Saving the World, A Real Pain). Article content Article content Getting early awards season buzz, the musical comedy tells the story of a shy suburban housewife (Julianne Moore) who transforms into a full-blown method actor after landing a small role in a community theatre production and coming under the tutelage of a domineering director played by Paul Giamatti. Article content Sun Spots Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “This is a comedy, a satire about the theatre world, looking at kind of the self-importance that can happen in that space. It is also showing the opportunity for self-actualization as well,” said VIFF’s director of programming Curtis Woloschuk. “It’s a really warm satire that’s spot-on in what it pokes fun at and yet is also filled with genuine affection for its characters.” Article content Article content Article content Bookending The Debut is the official closing film Wild Nine Horses from British/Irish filmmaker Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing,…