Chilliwack Independent Film Festival

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Chilliwack Independent Film Festival

The Chilliwack Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting the community to the

08/24/2026

TICKETS ON SALE | TRACTORGREASE FILM 🎶🎬🎟️

The 10th edition of the Chilliwack Independent Film Festival is thrilled to screen the world premiere of feature documentary “ONE MORE SONG”, in a celebration of music + togetherness in our community.

⏱️ Thursday October 22nd
📍 Chilliwack Cultural Centre

For over 20 years, Tractorgrease became a destination for some of Canada’s finest musicians, many of whom recorded and performed there. Through archival footage, new interviews, and live performances the film documents over 20 years of musical adventures and the struggle to keep it all together.

A story about the passion of music and bringing community together for “One More Song.”

Get your tickets today via the link in the bio or at CIFF.ca + come on out to celebrate this Chilliwack institution.

🗣️ FILMMAKER Q & A
Following the screening will be a Q & A with filmmakers Jeff Bonner + Chris Fassbender.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC - TRACTORGREASE REVIVAL 2
The core musicians behind Tractorgrease reunite to perform the songs that defined its history — a live show that picks up where the story leaves off.

______

Order of Events:

6pm - Doors Open

6.30pm - Feature Documentary (with Q & A)

8.30pm - Intermission

9pm - Tractorgrease Revival 2 (Live Music)

Sponsored by Tourism Ch’illiwack + Chilliwack Cultural Centre | Community Venue

08/10/2026

10 YEARS OF CIFF | OCTOBER 21-25TH ❤️

Help us celebrate our milestone 10th edition this October 21-25th!

The Chilliwack Independent Film Festival returns this October with over 100 films, industry events + more. Whether you’re a filmmaker (submissions close August 30th!) or just love independent film, get your First Access Festival Passes NEXT WEEK for a limited time only.

Some things to look out for during our 10th edition:

📣 PITCH SESSIONS
Our annual pitch competition + cohort returns. 10 first time filmmakers will pitch their projects for a chance at $250,000 in funding.

🎉 NEW WAVE COLLECTIVE
Our inaugural micro feature grant + mentorship initiative will announce the first two films to be developed through the movement.

🎬 INDUSTRY EVENTS
Don’t miss our world class industry events with some special guests appearing. From talks, panel + workshops, we’ve got you covered.

🎥 100+ INDEPENDENT FILMS
And of course we’ll be screening over 100 incredible films from across the world!

First Access Passes go on sale next week Friday 21st of August!

📸 Emily Doyle

08/09/2026

SUBMIT BY AUG 30 | NEW WAVE COLLECTIVE

Only 3 weeks to go until submissions close for the “New Wave Collective”. A filmmaker grant + mentorship initiative for the creation of true micro budget feature films.

Filmmakers will get cash, in-kind support and mentorship during each stage of the process. Completed films screen at our 11th edition next year.

There are two streams to apply for:

🎬 General Filmmaker Stream
(Open to all Canadian filmmakers).

🎥 Fraser Valley Stream
Sponsored by Chilliwack Economic Partners + Chilliwack Arts Council
(For filmmakers in the Fraser Valley or shooting in Chilliwack).

What Selected Filmmakers Get:

💵 $10,000 Cash

🎥 $10,000 In-Kind Camera Gear
(Courtesy of Sunbelt Rentals + Keslow Camera)

🎬 Mentorship from indie film legends like Mark Duplass + Patrick Brice

🎞️ Distributor mentorship with Elevation Pictures

👀 First Look Deal with GameTheoryFilms

Submit by August 30th. Link in the bio or on FilmFreeway

06/09/2026

SUBMIT TODAY | NEW WAVE COLLECTIVE 👀

Looking to create a true micro budget feature film in the next year? Don’t miss the “New Wave Collective”, with our regular deadline closing June 28th.

A new filmmaker grant and mentorship program, the New Wave Collective provides Canadian filmmakers:

💵 $10,000 cash

🎥 $10,000 in-kind gear

🎬 Mentorship from Industry professionals like +

🎞️ Distributor meetings with +

Submit today via the link in the bio. The winners will be announced at our 10th edition this fall.

05/19/2026

SUPPORT INDIE FILM | CIFF COMMUNITY ❤️

In one word, what does film mean to you?

The power of cinema to move + inspire touches all of us. There's nothing quite like it. We've all been moved or changed by a film.

Whether it's a story, character or moment, it stays with us forever. And it's why here at CIFF we're passionate about not only providing a platform for independent filmmakers, but supporting the creation of films through our initiatives such as the New Wave Collective + Pitch Sessions.

We have some more exciting things in the pipeline. Stay tuned for more announcements soon.

Long live independent film. See you all this October. 🙏

📽 Created by the amazing during the 9th edition of the Chilliwack Independent Film Festival last fall.

05/05/2026

TELL HUMAN STORIES | CIFF INDUSTRY

To celebrate the trailer drop for the new Matt Johnson film "TONY", here's a snippet of advice on the importance of ensuring your characters sound + behave human, and why you can't fool audiences with anything that isn't authentic. Great advice for all no matter where you are in your filmmaking journey.

Go check out the full trailer over at .

Taken from the 7th edition of the Chilliwack Independent Film Festival.

Sponsored by +

05/01/2026

FILMMAKER GRANT | NEW WAVE COLLECTIVE

To celebrate the 10th edition of the Chilliwack Independent Film Festival this fall we've launched our very own filmmaker grant + mentorship program. Please join us in welcoming...

The New Wave Collective. 👏

A filmmaker grant and mentorship program designed to support and elevate Canadian voices in feature filmmaking. The New Wave Collective provides selected filmmakers with resources, mentorship, + the platform to develop and produce original feature-length works.

This grant is for the creation of true micro budget features of any genre.

And for our first wave we'll be making TWO of these films...

WHAT SELECTED FILMMAKERS RECEIVE:

💵 $10,000 CASH
Grant recipients will receive $10,000 cash.

📽 $10,000 IN-KIND GEAR
Generously provided by +

📣 MENTORSHIP
From pre-production to post, mentorship and guidance is provided both in-person and virtually.

This year's mentors include:

Patrick Brice
Script advice from the writer and director of Creep.

Mark Duplass
Mentorship from a true independent film legend.

Graham Fortin
Post-production support provided by the co-editor of Longlegs.

🎬 Distributor Meetings
Receive mentorship along the way by the team + a first look guarantee by Canadian distributor

📽 Guaranteed Screenings
Completed films will screen at the 11th edition of the Chilliwack Independent Film Festival in 2027.

THE WHO?

🇨🇦 Canadian Filmmakers
Open to both first-time feature filmmakers and those with feature films already.

There will be two films made for our first wave:

👀 General Filmmaker Grant
This grant is open to all Canadian filmmakers looking to create a micro budget feature film within the next year.

🌽 Fraser Valley Grant
This grant is for filmmakers from or filming in Chilliwack. Sponsored by

For more information + to apply go to FilmFreeway via the link in the bio.

04/21/2026

THANK YOU CHILLIWACK | COMMUNITY ❤️

We're humbled + thrilled to announce that the community has turned up to vote for us in the annual A List awards!

The Chilliwack Independent Film Festival was voted "BEST EVENT OR FESTIVAL" in Chilliwack for 2026!

We were also a runner up for "BEST ARTS ORGANIZATION". All voted by the readers of the Chilliwack Progress.

As a festival where two thirds of our attendees often come from outside of the Fraser Valley, it means the world to feel so much love from our wonderful community here in Chilliwack.

Congratulations to all the winners + nominees. It's an honour to be amongst some great company! Thank you to all those that support and turn up.

We can't wait to celebrate our 10th edition this fall with you all. ❤️

04/16/2026

NEW WAVE | $10,000 FILM GRANT 👀

There's a New Wave on the horizon.

We've spoken about it for a long time + it's almost here.

Stay tuned May 1st for the launch of our feature film grant and mentorship.

Want a sneaky peek? Head on over to the listing on FilmFreeway via the link in the bio.

04/15/2026

FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT | MICRO GRANT ❤️

Congratulations to the winner of our first ever micro film grant! We can't wait to see the film and the Production Design the grant helped cover!

At CIFF we put our filmmakers first. We truly care about this amazing community of filmmakers. As a non-profit our goal is always to raise more funds with the goal being that we can give back to you all.

Looking for funding or more support to get your films made?

Stay tuned May 1st for some exciting news...

Address

Chilliwack, BC

Website

http://ciff.ca/

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