PODCAST · arts
VIFF Podcast
by Vancouver International Film Festival
Bringing you exclusive in-depth conversations with industry-leading filmmakers, creators and cultural luminaries, recorded live at the Vancouver International Film Festival and year round at VIFF Centre. ~ About VIFF ~ Beyond film exhibitions, VIFF strives to engage and empower communities, encourage dialogue and champion local artists. With decades of experience and an unwavering commitment to creating exceptional programs, VIFF has transformed into a highly esteemed annual festival and a premier arthouse cinema. Founded in 1982, the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society is a not-for-profit cultural society and federally registered charitable organization that operates the internationally acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the year-round programming at VIFF Centre. All year, VIFF produces screenings, talks, conferences and events that act as a catalyst for the community to discover the creativity and craft
Episodes
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John Hollands' "Le Tour de Canada" embraces all the Canadian cliches
In John Hollands' "Le Tour de Canada," two rival cyclists face off in a gruelling cross-Canada cycling race. Combining live action, 2D, and 3D animation, this multifaceted short takes a broad swing at what it means to embrace the Canadian identity. A tongue-in-cheek take on our provinces and...
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Julia Hebner on the conflicting roles women are expected to play
In Julia Hebner's "Jeff," Marsha is a phone sex operator who takes a call from a man who confesses that he is a pedophile. Throughout the duration of the phone call, Marsha loses touch with what's real, as she gets wrapped up in Jeff's disturbing confessions. Exploring the experience of…
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Monica Cheema wants you to look, and then look again, at your perception of labour and land
In the making of "To Look, and To Look Again," Director Monica Cheema captures the story of farm workers on a blueberry farm in Surrey, BC. While many recognize that farms across the province are supported by the labour of foreign workers, Cheema looks deeper, challenging existing narratives in…
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Bianca Rose Cheung on how memories can impact our lives forever
In Bianca Rose Cheung's "My Dad is an Astronaut," lead character, Cami, lives in rural Northern BC alongside her Mother. Set in a picturesque yet gritty winter, Cami must grapple with her mother's deteriorating health, while reconciling with the absence of her Father. In this short from Cheung,...
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Karina Ripper Embraces the Gray Area When it Comes to the Catholic Church
Karina Ripper's "There's a Devil Inside Me," begins with lead character Teresa, living out her rebellious teens with a bumbling boy in the car, smoking weed, fooling around, and pushing the envelope of her parents' expectations. Ending up at confirmation class, Teresa's curiosity leads her to…
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Jereme Watt reaches new documentary heights in "Everest Dark"
Many know the visual splendour of Mount Everest, but only through pictures, stories, or tales of these treks that tempt the most ambitious of climbers. But, as the profile of Mount Everest has risen, what's lesser known is the stories of the Sherpas that guide these climbs while risking their…
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In 100 SUNSET, Kunsang Kyirong is inspired by 'complicated women'
Kunsang Kyirong's "100 Sunset" follows two young women residing in Parkdale, Toronto. Located in a unique apartment complex, housing a vibrant community of Tibetan immigrants, Kyirong's lens lets us into closeness of communal living, and the pangs of loneliness that perhaps make us observe each...
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Igor Bezinović on why his anti-war film arrived at just the right time
The success of Igor Bezinović's third feature, "Fiume o Morte!," is something to marvel at. "Fiume o Morte!," is about the Croatian city of Rijeka, following its occupation by Italy. Blending absurdist re-enactments and documented record, portrayed almost entirely by first-time actors, it has…
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'Not just another sad story from Africa' Timeea Ahmed wants you to know Khartoum, Sudan
In Timeea Ahmed's "Khartoum," five exiles of Sudan’s capital give voice to their experiences through reenactment, animation, and recollection. A collaborative documentary, headed by five co-directors, each bringing their unique perspectives and real-life experiences to a documentary that is one…
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Sara Wylie on why capitalism is the worst
Sara Wylie got her filmmaking start in her late twenties, dipping her toe into documentary through her work as a political organizer after making anti-Stephen Harper comedy videos. Soon, her passion for storytelling developed into a heightened curiosity about how she processes her own life and...
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Durian and Decision-making with Solara Thanh Bình Đặng
Solara Thanh Bình Đặng's ripe follows lead character Lệ, on the cusp of a life-altering decision. At this crossroads, she must consider an arranged marriage that is sure to support her family, but yields a profound uncertainty. Representative of a crossroads many women face, ripe represents the...
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Nicole Bazuin on the Modern Whore
Nicole Bazuin first encountered Andrea Werhun on the set of a music video she was directing, in search of Go Go Dancers who'd be willing to participate. At first meet, the two developed what Bazuin calls "a creative crush," compelled to work together on several projects since. What resulted from...
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Alison Reid wants you to put down your phone—and go on an adventure
The urge to escape the mundanities of everyday life is hard to ignore. And yet, so many of us remain tethered to our routines, our homes, our comforts. In 1957, Robert Bateman and Bristol Foster resisted that pull. Instead, they packed their belongings into a Land Rover and set off on a...
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Brian Daniel Johnson and Dide Su Bilgin on community and Vancouver's avoidance culture
In a city plagued by social isolation, Brian Daniel Johnson and Dide Su Bilgin found a story to tell. In their film, A Welcome Distraction, lead character, Ernest, looks for answers amidst grief and heartbreak in this unapologetic portrayal of how disconnected Vancouver can be. Soon, he becomes...
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How film can reconnect you with your roots with Kent Donguines
Kent Donguines' journey creating Treasure of the Rice Terraces began in 2019. From idea to development, Donguines' slow and steady process was grounded with one intention: to be in community with his subjects. Treasure of the Rice Terraces follows Donguines' travels back to the Philippines to...
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Why documentaries are the door to understanding with Elöise King (The Shadow Scholars)
From travel bans to the risk of criminalization for her film's subjects, Elöise King had to persevere through many hurdles to get her documentary, The Shadow Scholars, to screen. In The Shadow Scholars, cameras follow Patricia Kingori, the youngest Black woman professor in Oxford’s 925-year...
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How painting provides a portal with Jenn Strom (The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes)
In the 20th Century, painter E.J. Hughes quietly helped reshape the artistic landscape of British Columbia. Each canvas was a place of worship for the artist who was famously too shy to attend his own art exhibitions. Hughes' legacy has left us with many opportunities to bask in the beauty of…
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Brishkay Ahmed on embracing identity, and what we can learn from Afghan women
Growing up, Ahmed felt at odds with her Afghan identity. She describes herself as a rebellious child, not understanding the need for a head scarf, often finding herself "irked" by assumptions about her, before she even knew herself. Perceptions about Afghanistan perpetuated by "breaking news"…
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'The Track' Director Ryan Sidhoo on the stories that haven't been told, and getting those movies made
This isn't Ryan Sidhoo's first time exploring the relationship between sports and space. Also having directed Truth North (2017) and produced Handle with Care (2021), two titles that rounded the festival circuit time and time again, Sidhoo's next feature introduces us to three friends growing up…
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'Foreigner' Director Ava Maria Safai talks the horrors of growing up, and what filmmaking teaches you about yourself
Ava Maria Safai describes Foreigner as “bubblegum horror”—a genre that layers a glossy, fun aesthetic over a dark underbelly of pain. Following an Iranian teenager who moves to Canada, dyes her hair blonde, and becomes a demon, Foreigner explores the ache of wanting to belong and how far you're...
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Mayumi Yoshida on her debut feature, 'Akashi,' and the power that comes from existing in the in between
Mayumi Yoshida is THE multi-hyphenate filmmaker you need to watch. As writer, director, producer, and actor for her debut feature, Akashi, Yoshida's world premiere at VIFF 2025 was met with sold out audiences, celebrating her story tackling themes of identity, class struggle, and artistic...
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Ari's Theme" documentary filmmaker, Jeff Petry, on how to capture a legacy
Ari Kinarthy’s existence is marked by worry and vigilance around his health, as he struggles with spinal muscular atrophy. Yet he was born with the soul of an artist, becoming a celebrated composer eager to share his story through the power of music. Making him the subject of Jeff Petry and…
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VIFF Shorts team Casey Wei and Jaewoo Kang talk programming for your audience
In this special edition of the VIFF Podcast, get a glimpse of what goes on behind-the-scenes when it comes to VIFF programming, and how certain shorts make it to screen at our annual festival. VIFF Shorts Forum programmer Casey Wei and her coordinator, Jaewoo Kang discuss how to find the balance...
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'I Saw Three Black Lights' filmmaker Santiago Lozano on ritual as resistance in Colombia
In Santiago Lozano's 'I Saw Three Black Lights,' a wise old shaman embarks on a final journey into the Colombian jungle to settle a spiritual debt and reconnect with his late son. We sit down with the filmmaker to discuss how an immersive, lush setting can almost act as a character itself, the...
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Filmmaker Sanja Zivkovic on motherhood, the broken system of adoption, and seeing a story from all points of view in 'Cat's Cry'
'Cat's Cry' filmmaker Sanja Zivkovic sits down with VIFF Festival Programmer & Program Lead, Sonja Baksa, to talk about her global career spanning all the way from SFU's Burnaby campus to Serbia. 'Cat's Cry' first fell into Zivkovic's lap when the son of famous Serbian filmmaker Goran…
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'Save My Soul' filmmaker Kam Fai Leung on loneliness and our primal desire to be loved
When a mute young man seeks to escape into the wilderness, he quickly realizes he's not suited to survive on his own. To adapt, the young man begins to embody a feline, finding solace in a blind man's home, someone also seeking connection and comfort. Together, the pair forge an unconventional…
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Director Devin Shears on his first feature, and the fascination with fatness in "Cherub"
Harvey is a lonely, overweight man who discovers new self-esteem when he submits a photo to Cherub, a gay magazine “For big men and their admirers.” Director Devin Shears talks from his move from shorts to features in this gentle, ambient character study, revealing the healing power of being...
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Kerr Holden wrestles with athleticism, performance, and metal in 'Judas Icarus Twists His Wrist'
In 'Judas Icarus Twists His Wrist,' Director Kerr Holden (she/her) follows BC-based wrestler, Judas Icarus, following his arduous road to recovery after an injury. On the choreography of wrestling, the power of score, and how to emphasize athleticism and physicality on screen, Holden joins VIFF...
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'Balomania' filmmaker Sissel Morell Dargis on the beauty behind Brazil's baloeiros, and getting your start in documentary filmmaking
Hot air ballooning has been illegal in São Paulo, Brazil since the 1990's. Intrigued by this underworld of guerilla artists, who risk their lives, and freedom in order to craft and release huge, lavishly decorated paper balloons up to 70 metres in height, Director Sissel Morell Dargis began...
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'78 Days' filmmaker Emilija Gašić on docufiction and telling personal history through found footage
Filmmaker Emilija Gašić joins VIFF’s Vanguard series programmer Sonja Baksa to discuss 78 Days, a found-footage film that won the Vanguard Award at VIFF 2024. Shot on hi-8 tapes in her native Serbia, the film follows three sisters documenting their lives during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in...
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Vancouver filmmaker Ann Marie Fleming explores mortality and imagines a future without waste with 'Can I Get a Witness?'
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, program manager and senior programmer PoChu AuYeung sits down with acclaimed Canadian animator and filmmaker Ann Marie Fleming to discuss her latest film, Can I Get a Witness?, which screened at VIFF 2024. Set in a near future where citizens are required to…
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Veteran Documentarian Connie Field Exposes Democracy’s Fragility in 'Democracy Noir'
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, programmer Alan Franey interviews American filmmaker Connie Field about her documentary feature Democracy Noir, which explores the rise of Viktor Orbán in Hungary and its global implications. The film follows three women—a journalist, a nurse, and a...
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'Uncommon Ground' filmmaker Faith Sparrow-Crawford on ancestral connections and Musqueam Storytelling
Musqueam filmmaker Faith Sparrow-Crawford joins VIFF short programmer Casey Wei to talk about Uncommon Ground, her haunting sci-fi short set in 2171. They dig into themes of ancestral connection, mental health, and the deep bond between main character Tawny and her aunt. Faith shares how...
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'Curl Power' director Josephine Anderson on girlhood and the long-game of filmmaking
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Curtis Woloschuk sits down with Canadian filmmaker Josephine Anderson to talk about her latest documentary Curl Power. Having premiered at VIFF 2024, Curl Power follows five teenage girls chasing curling glory while navigating the emotional terrain of...
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'The Universe in a Grain of Sand' filmmaker Mark Levinson on art, physics, and AI as an extension of human creativity
On this episode of the VIFF podcast, programmer Alan Franey sits down with Mark Levinson to talk about his film, The Universe in a Grain of Sand. Levinson, who is a former theoretical particle physicist as well as a producer on films such as Mystic Pizza and Teen Wolf, details why he transitioned...
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'Inedia' director Liz Cairns on intuitive writing and filmmaking
On this episode of the VIFF podcast, director Liz Cairns joins VIFF programmer Curtis Woloschuck to talk about her feature film debut, Inedia. The film, which premiered at VIFF 2024, follows a young woman with mysterious food allergies who joins a remote island community practicing alternative...
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Legendary Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan on artistic evolution and representations of trauma in 'Seven Veils'
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Year Round Programmer Tom Charity sits down with iconic Canadian filmmaker and (sometimes) opera director Atom Egoyan to discuss his latest film, Seven Veils, starring Amanda Seyfried. The film premiered during VIFF 2023 and was inspired by his remount of the...
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'Preface to a History' director Devan Scott on experimental filmmaking and mental health
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Vancouver filmmaker Devan Scott speaks with VIFF Year-Round Programmer Tom Charity about his experimental feature Preface to a History, co-directed with Willa Ross. The film explores mental health struggles through the characters Vlad and Sophie—Vlad immerses...
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'Village Keeper' director Karen Chapman on telling "lived-in" stories through cinema
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Director of Programming Curtis Woloschuk speaks with filmmaker Karen Chapman about her narrative feature Village Keeper, which explores themes of trauma, grief, and economic disparity through the story of a Toronto single mother. Chapman shares her desire to...
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'7 Beats Per Minute' Director Yuqi Kang on the arts of Free Diving and Filmmaking
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Director of Programming Curtis Woloschuk interviews filmmaker Yuqi Kang about her documentary 7 Beats Per Minute, which explores the world of free diving and the connection between humanity and nature. Kang shares how a YouTube clip sparked her own free diving...
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Jerome Yoo explores grief and belonging in his debut feature 'Mongrels'
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, feature film coordinator Natalie Murao interviews filmmaker Jerome Yoo about his debut feature film Mongrels, which follows a Korean immigrant family in rural Canada dealing with grief amid trying to belong in their new home country. Yoo shares about how he...
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Deborah Devyn Chaung explores dreams and desire with short film “Strawberry Shortcake”
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Short Forum programmer Casey Wei interviews filmmaker Deborah Devyn Chaung about her short film Strawberry Shortcake, a genre-defying Freudian fantasy that explores a teenage girl’s relationship with her mother. Chuang shares the deeply personal inspirations...
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"Inay" director Thea Loo talks migration, mental health, and the power of community
On this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Laura Arboleda sits down with filmmaker Thea Loo, director of the documentary Inay (Mama). Thea shares the creative process behind the film, which explores the mental health impact of migration from the Philippines to Canada on the children of caregivers. Hear...
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Filmmaker Mads K. Baekkevold, director of The Chef & the Daruma, on capturing renowned Vancouver chef Hidekazu Tojo’s legacy
On this episode of the VIFF Podcast, Director of Programming Curtis Woloschuck sits down with filmmaker Mads K. Baekkevold, director of The Chef & the Daruma. Mads shares his creative process and talks about the journey of capturing Chef Hidekazu Tojo’s life and legacy. Tune in to hear about…
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Unmasking Trauma: Asher Penn on Physician, Heal Thyself and the Life of Dr. Gabor Maté
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, filmmaker Asher Penn talks about his debut feature documentary, Physician, Heal Thyself, with VIFF Year Round Programmer Tom Charity. The film is a searingly intimate portrait of the celebrated expert on addiction, stress, and trauma, Dr. Gabor Maté. Physician...
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BC film producer Mike Johnston reflects on the resilience of the Vancouver film community, international co-productions, and more
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, BC-based film producer Mike Johnston talks about his his transition from directing to producing with VIFF Director of Programming, Curtis Woloschuck. He highlights the complexities of financing and managing co-productions, with Beehive and Wild Goat Surf as...
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'In Flames' director Zarrar Kahn talks balancing real-world social issues in genre film
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, filmmaker Zarrar Kahn talks about his debut feature film, In Flames, with VIFF Director of Programming Curtis Woloschuk. In Flames, which premiered at Cannes 2023 and screened at VIFF 2023, follows a mother and daughter navigating loss and supernatural forces…
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'Handle With Care: The Legend of the Notic Streetball Crew' filmmakers talk basketball and community
In this episode of the VIFF Podcast, documentary filmmakers Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux and Kirk Thomas along with legendary streetball player Joel Haywood talk with VIFF Director of Programming Curtis Woloschuk. Handle With Care: The Legend of The Notic Streetball Crew chronicles the rise, fall and...
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'With Love and a Major Organ' filmmaker Kim Albright on surrealist stories, with producer Madeleine Davis
In this episode we welcome filmmaker Kim Albright, director of With Love and a Major Organ, and producer Madeleine Davis in conversation with VIFF programmer Tom Charity. Struggling artist by night, virtual insurance broker by day, Anabel has a heart problem: it’s just too big for this world....
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'Richelieu' director Pier-Philippe Chevigny on social justice through film
In this episode we welcome Canadian filmmaker Pier-Philippe Chevigny, director of Richelieu in conversation with VIFF Director of Programming Curtis Woloschuk. Drawing from neo-realist traditions, beautifully photographed and elegantly constructed, Richelieu paints an undeniable portrait of a...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Bringing you exclusive in-depth conversations with industry-leading filmmakers, creators and cultural luminaries, recorded live at the Vancouver International Film Festival and year round at VIFF Centre.
~ About VIFF ~
Beyond film exhibitions, VIFF strives to engage and empower communities, encourage dialogue and champion local artists. With decades of experience and an unwavering commitment to creating exceptional programs, VIFF has transformed into a highly esteemed annual festival and a premier arthouse cinema.
Founded in 1982, the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society is a not-for-profit cultural society and federally registered charitable organization that operates the internationally acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the year-round programming at VIFF Centre. All year, VIFF produces screenings, talks, conferences and events that act as a catalyst for the community to discover the creativity and craft
HOSTED BY
Vancouver International Film Festival
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does VIFF Podcast have?
VIFF Podcast currently has 81 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is VIFF Podcast about?
Bringing you exclusive in-depth conversations with industry-leading filmmakers, creators and cultural luminaries, recorded live at the Vancouver International Film Festival and year round at VIFF Centre. ~ About VIFF ~ Beyond film exhibitions, VIFF strives to engage and empower communities,...
How often does VIFF Podcast release new episodes?
VIFF Podcast has 81 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to VIFF Podcast?
You can listen to VIFF Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts VIFF Podcast?
VIFF Podcast is created and hosted by Vancouver International Film Festival.
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