Vancouver Foreign, Documentary and Independent Cinema Group

Cats cats cats Videofest - VOKRA fundraiser $28

Sat, Aug 22 · 2:00 PM PDT

The Rio Theatre, 1660 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC, CA

Let's watch a purr-fectly cute selection of cat shorts & support VOKRA, a local cat shelter. Trailer: https://youtu.be/wbzRCI1AgZ8?si=TWkiO_lOnUkhvx3T

Catvideofest is a compilation of the latest, best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions & animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses.

This screening is a fundraiser in support of volunteer-driven VOKRA, that rescues, rehabilitates, & rehomes 1,400+ cats and kittens each year in the Lower Mainland. Proceeds support VOKRA’s core operations as they enter kitten season, its busiest & most resource-intensive time of year.

The Rio Theatre is a charming independent theatre located a 4 min walk from the skytrain.

2 pm Cat Video Fest 2026 (Eng, 80 mins) Info/buy your tix($28) here:
https://riotheatretickets.ca/events/44185-catvideofest-2026

Pls don't sign up until you've bought your tkt. I suspect this will be a busy show with a long line to get in.

If you'd like to sit with the group, arrive by 2 pmish. We'll meet/sit on the 2nd floor balcony level, 2 or 3 rows back from the front. As it's easy to find each other up there.

After, we'll go to nearby St. Augustine's Pub for a snack to discuss the show & share cat stories. If you might like to join for this, msg me or put a note in Comments by Aug 20, as I'll try to make a rezo at the big table in the middle.

Karenmeter: 99lives%. "pawsitively the meowst catvitating show you'll see all year".

Bring some loonies & toonies if you'd like to drop them in my "litter" box of donations. Then I'll make an extra donation on our club's behalf, as my employer doubles donations(yay).

Wear your cat ears and cat-tails if you have some! I'll wear cat ears & a black tshirt with a silver MEOW on the front.

More fun things:
*On Fri, Oct 2, there is a new 'Our Ocean Film Fest', with a Canadian focus & is Cdn-produced. https://www.ouroceanfilmfest.ca/tickets Msg me for our members code to get a free tkt! Yes, FREE. Note I'm not sure yet if I can go due to VIFF being on at the same time.
If you haven't paid your 2026 member dues of $5 & would like to, msg me for etransfer info.
*The big Vancouver Film Fest runs Oct 1 to 11. Mark your calendars!

Ocean Film Fest World Tour 2026 - Short Docs

Thu, Sep 17 · 6:30 PM PDT

Centennial Theatre, 2300 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver, BC, CA

Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFw1zWRRzaI The Ocean Film Festival World Tour 2026 is coming up!

"A breathtaking series of short films that take us through the world's most spectacular marine environments, capturing the raw beauty, untamed power, and majesty of our oceans."

We've gone the past 2 yrs & really liked it, so we're going again.

More info/BUY tix($28.05 or less): https://events.humanitix.com/ocean-film-festival-world-tour-2026-vancouver-thurs-17-sept-7pm. They are general admission seats.

Note I was able to get a discount for our members. Msg me directly to get the discount code. If you haven't paid your 2026 member dues($5) yet & would like to, msg me for etransfer info.

We'll plan to meet by 620 pm-ish in front of the KFC located across the street, then we'll cross the road to lineup to get in the thtr. There usually are some interesting display tables in the lobby to look at. We'll aim to get seats in Row K &/or L on the West (left) side or middle of the thtre by 645ish.

If you arrive later & want to sit with the group, look for us in Rows K & L and read the Comments for an update re location.

***This event sold out last time & was very crowded***

Afterwards, if there's interest we'll walk down to a nearby casual cafe for a quick drink & chat if time allows(they close at 11)

This event will be a combo of speakers & films, not just films.

If you're driving, note that there is construction & the parking is limited near the thtr. I recommend parking on the West side of Lonsdale on W. 22nd, 21st or 20th St if you can.

More fun things:
*On Fri, Oct 2, there is ANOTHER (new) different Ocean Film Fest, believe it or not. It's called Our Ocean Fest & has a Canadian focus & is Canadian-produced. https://www.ouroceanfilmfest.ca/tickets Msg me for our members code to get a free tkt! Yes, FREE. Note I'm not sure yet if I can go due to VIFF being on at the same time.
*The big Vancouver Film Fest runs Oct 1 to 11. Mark your calendars!

See Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde at the Orpheum ($26+)

Mon, Oct 26 · 6:45 PM PDT

The Orpheum, 601 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC, CA

Let’s see a 1920 classic psychological thriller to get in the mood for Halloween & learn about the silent film era! At the stunning Orpheum theatre on a huge screen with a rare Wurlitzer organ playing along.

Set in late Victorian London, the film portrays the tragic consequences of a doctor's experiments in separating the dual personalities he thinks define all humans: one good, the other evil.[

The 1920 film stars John Barrymore as the dr whose experiment releases his cruel alter ego Mr. Hyde, an increasingly difficult to control persona.

An entertaining watch & chance to see this classic as it was meant to be seen.

Trailer: https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesSilentFilmFestival/videos/1010943470018198/ (note the accompanist reference & screen date aren't accurate)

This black & white film will be followed by Vancouver Film School hosting a short lively talk about the movie and silent film history.

Please RSVP to this event AFTER you have bought a ticket & have a seat #.

730 pm Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde film (80 mins plus seminar after) More info/buy tix: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/silent-movie-mondays-dr-jekyll-and-vancouver-british-columbia-10-26-2026/event/110064F0A03D65BD

To join our group:

1. #1. Buy your own tkt ($25.85 or more). I’m in LORCH Row 24, Seat #33 and there are seats available nearby. (If on your cell, switch to 'Map' view, click/unclick on the dots to see row #s) I suggest looking for seats in Row 24 or Row 25(seats 30 to 36) Look at the photo below, aim for seats near the black dot area.
2. #2. RSVP to this event & write your Row & Seat # in the sign-up questions.
3. #3. Get to the theatre 645 pmish if you'd like to meet the group/chat. Find us in the Westcoast Energy Hall Lounge, towards the window side(up the stairs from the gift shop). I'll post what I'm wearing that day so you can find me. Some people like to dress up.

*It's a Mon & a worknight, so if you can't stick around for the seminar after the film that's totally ok. :) *

The evening will also feature a live Jazz Band in the lobby 1 hour before the show and popcorn & drinks specials.

This is an immersive experience with dramatic music played live on the last historic organ in Canada still performing in its original home. Last season's Silent Film nights were great, so we're doing it again.

Keith Blackmore of Vancouver Film School will host the discussion about the film afterwards.

I hope you can come to this special night out! :)

Some interesting film facts:
*Based on an 1886 gothic horror novella https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strange_Case_of_Dr_Jekyll_and_Mr_Hyde
The novella was turned into a stage play, then a screenplay
*"Jekyll begins to live a double life: by day a compassionate and gentlemanly doctor, and by night a lustful, hunchbacked creature who ventures out to opium dens, bars, and music halls to satisfy his "dark indulgences".
*An especially remarkable feature of the silent film is Barrymore’s first transformation into Hyde, performed largely by contorting his face and body rather than relying on makeup or camera effects.

**A friendly reminder this meetup group has membership dues of $5 a yr to cover the subscription fee charged by meetup. If you enjoy receiving these film notices, here's how to pay your $5 dues for 2026: 1. You can give your organizer $5 cash at your next meetup. They will put a note in the meetup Comments re your payment. 2. You can etransfer me (Karen K) directly. Msg me for details**