Vancouver has earned a reputation for being deeply involved in the film industry. There’s a time of year in Vancouver where you can’t walk to a pub without running into a filming location. Everyone and their dog has been attached to some filming project in the city. Even I got in on it a couple times, including set construction and being part of a lighting crew.  

But it’s not just big films and corporate studios that make Vancouver a hotbed for filming. It’s the amateur stuff that makes it special. Cause those films are not being made to make a profit. Those films are made out of love and passion, or because the filmmaker has a message they believe is worth sharing.  

That’s where the DOXA Documentary Film Festival comes in. 

The city’s renowned film festival is going out with a bang this upcoming weekend to close out their ten-day event.  

The festival has built a reputation for highlighting voices that don’t always get mainstream attention. This includes Indigenous filmmakers, international perspectives, and deeply personal stories that reflect the complexity of not just the city, but also the globe.  

DOXA focus isn’t on production, it’s all about perspective. It’s all about documentary storytelling about real people, real issues, and stories that feel a lot closer to home. The cool thing about DOXA is it is held across multiple venues and theaters, keeping a fresh experience during every screening you head to. 

What separates DOXA from your average movie night is what happens after the film ends. Directors often come out for Q&As. Panels dive deeper into the topics you just watched unfold. And outside the theatre, the film into something more than entertainment. It becomes a conversation. Its an experience that stands out. 

 Which circles us back to this weekend. If you usually check out film festivals and haven’t had the opportunity to check out DOXA yet, now is the time!  

And even if you are new to film festivals, that’s okay. You don’t need to be a film expert or documentary superfan. You just need an open mind. Walk in and pick a film that sounds interesting to you and see where it takes you. You can’t lose anything but time.  

DOXA offers a unique peek behind that filming curtain that includes behind the scenes, culture, and deep personal stories. Not a lot of events can offer such a variety of perspectives as this. It is an event that will give you something to chew on and think about.  

And catching the finale? That’s just the best way to be part of it.