XINEMA [zin-em-a] is an artist-run experimental film series founded and based on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam and the Tsleil-Waututh Nations (Vancouver, BC). They began operation in VIFF Centre's 41 seat Studio Theatre, with a focus on BC-based and connected media artists, stringing emerging and established artists together into monthly thematic programs.

With a home-ground of VIFF Centre, they now operate between spaces and regions, facilitating screenings, workshops and related events, with a focus on local wherever that may be.​

Their main priorities are to remain low-barrier, accepting free ongoing and unlimited submissions of any year or premiere status; prioritize underrepresented artists and media forms; and connect filmmakers and film-lovers of various backgrounds, disciplines and career levels.

Past programs:
2022
Program 1
Program 2
Program 3
Program 4
XINEMA x The Polygon Gallery

2023
Program 5
Program 6
Program 7
Program 8
XINEMA x EPFC North Workshop Series
Program 9
Program 10
Program 11

2024
Farther Than the Eye Can See
notes on the colour blue
N Dimensional Space

EXPERIMENTAL FILM AND MEDIA WORK

As usual, we are accepting experimental film and media submissions from local (British Columbia, Canada) and international artists.

Films of any length, format, year, screening history or premiere status will be considered.

Artists are welcome and encouraged to submit workshop proposals that coincide with their film's subject matter or material practice. Artists may also propose curated programs that feature or are based around their own work.

Submit your work

WORKSHOPS

Workshops will be presented primarily, but not explicitly, in conversation with our thematic programs and have the possibility of being presented in Vancouver BC, the artist's place of residence, and/or online, depending on funding and venue opportunities.

Artists are welcome and encouraged to submit curatorial proposals that coincide with their proposed workshops.

If an artist has submitted a film, they are also encouraged to submit a workshop proposal that relates to their film's subject matter or material practice.

No previous teaching experience is required to teach a workshop.

Submit a workshop proposal

GUEST PROGRAMS

Artists are welcome and encouraged to submit workshop proposals that coincide with their curatorial proposal. This could be a workshop taught by the program curator that relates to the proposed program's theme, or a workshop led by an artist whose work is featured in the proposed program.

Artists may propose curated programs that include or are based around their own work; solo screenings or retrospectives that feature only one artist's work will not be considered.

No previous curatorial experience is required.

Proposals of workshop and guest programs at various stages of development will be considered, and in some instances XINEMA may work with the artist/curator to refine working concepts.

Submit a curatorial proposal