The Reel Vancouver Vol. 4Summer Movie Madness

The next two months are a veritable boon for Vancouver film fans of all genres, offering everything from the best in independent queer flicks to the smoky subterfuge of film noir. Here are Reel Vancouver’s recommendations to get you out of the sun and into the cinema.

Vancouver Queer Film Festival

It’s no stretch to say that this is one of Vancouver’s most important film festivals, offering a platform for GBLTQ features, shorts, and documentaries. The most reliably meaningful experiences, for me anyways, come from the docs which provide vital glimpses of the reality of being gay around the world. The festival runs Aug. 12-22 at various venues, and features parties, galas, and dances in addition to the screenings.

Film Noir at Pacific Cinematheque

This annual extravaganza of film revels in the shadiest, sexiest, and often silliest aspects of the genre known as film noir. No one’s without a cigarette, the crimes are convoluted, and everybody’s engaged in some kind of illicet sexual activity. It’s high-brow soap opera-worthy shenanigans with incredible cinematography and spine-tingling thrills of genuine danger and corruption. Now playing to Sept. 2

Rio Theatre

The Friday midnight double feature at the Rio on Aug. 20 promises to be the BEST THING EVER! On tap — Dead on Film: The Zombie short film competition, paired with Return of the Living Dead.

VIFF sneak peak

The fine folks at Vancouver International Film Festival know how to whet film geeks appetites. Their latest email reveals that the 29th annual fest will feature a slew of Cannes award-winners including:

Palme d'Or: UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES

Best Actress, Juliette Binoche in CERTIFIED COPY

Grand Prix : OF GODS AND MEN

Prix du Jury: SCREAMING MAN

Prix de la Jeunesse: HEARTBEATS

Grand Prix Cannes Critics' Week: ARMADILLO

Critically acclaimed: ANOTHER YEAR, TAMARA DREWE, CARLOS, I WISH I KNEW, INSIDE JOB, AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF NICOLAE CEAUESCU

The festival runs Sept. 30-Oct. 15 at various venues around Vancouver.