“Have you ever dreamt of being part of a community that truly values and supports filmmakers? Look no further than KDocsFF! As a filmmaker and keynote speaker this year, the level of care and hospitality I received was astounding. From the warm welcome by Janice and Greg to the dedicated volunteers, every interaction is meaningful and impactful. You’ll leave feeling inspired and connected to a community of like-minded individuals. And let’s not forget about the films! The lineup of films at KDocsFF is nothing short of powerful and thought-provoking. Each film leaves a lasting impact, sparking important conversations and opening minds to new perspectives. If you’re looking for a space to showcase your work and connect with a community of passionate filmmakers and social justice leaders, look no further than KDocsFF. The support and hospitality here are second to none, making it an experience you’ll never forget.”

“In a world of homogenised festivals with rote Q&A, and no evident sense of purpose, KDocs felt the exact opposite. ”

“The screening of The Monopoly Of Violence at KDocsFF 2023 was a rare moment for me. Originally from France, I’ve lived in Montreal for seven years, with the wish, one day, to come to Vancouver, a city apart in North America. Apart in its openness. Apart in its culture. Apart in its geographical location. The welcome was equal to the task: a concentrated, concerned, and curious public. The KDocsFF is like a moment to breathe and reflect. At a time when the Western world would like to turn in on itself, KDocsFF shows the way: the way of the alternative, and the way of the future. ”

“We are so grateful to the team at KDocsFF for including Alice Street in the 2022 Film Festival. It was such an honor to be part of a collection of powerful documentaries from around the world. The discussion that was curated as part of the festival brought together subjects from Alice Street along with artists and activists in Vancouver. Taking the extra step to coordinate and promote this discussion makes all the difference in a climate of virtual film festivals. We feel a special connection with the community there and hope to return to Vancouver soon!”

“KDocsFF is by far one of the best film festivals we have had the honor of attending. It was online in 2022 due to Covid, but clearly, they love documentary films as much as the filmmaker and made KDocsFF 2022 a fantastic event. We were honoured to have our film Dead Boy featured, and we also loved the ongoing communication between us and festival organizers. KDocsFF works hard at their festival, and it shows. Our hats are off to you, Janice Morris, and team. Truly, a fantastic festival, showcasing real, tough issues and raising awareness. “Seeking truth” and “Waging Change,” for sure. As an independent filmmaker, I am self-funded, and it can be challenging trying to get the attention of the more prominent festivals. Thank you, KDocsFF, for the inclusion of our film. Enormous gratitude and love from northern BC.”

“I attended KDocsFF in February 2020 with my film, Conviction. I’m one of the co-directors of the film, and I’m also producing and facilitating the film’s impact campaign. I was invited as a special guest, a panellist, and an exhibitor. Attending KDocsFF benefitted us greatly, as we were able to connect and network with a variety of stakeholders – individuals and groups who are involved in issues central to the film. We’ve been working with Good Pitch Vancouver on our impact campaign, and participating as a panellist and exhibitor was crucial to networking and building relationships with other impact partners. We were also able to mobilize audience members to support our letter writing campaign and write and send letters in support of two bills that [Canadian] Senator Kim Pate was tabling. As Kim was also in attendance [as keynote speaker and panelist], this was a great opportunity to connect her with audience members who want to participate in making change. Unlike most film festivals, at KDocsFF, direct engagement, dialogue, and community-building are just as important as film screenings. [Also,] their Year-round Program and Community Outreach Programs offer open-access events, workshops, and opportunities for everyone to embrace the world of documentary film and filmmaking. As a filmmaker, these exchanges are vital to the success of our industry. Supporting KDocsFF means supporting not only its social justice-driven mission and vision, but also BC’s film, interactive digital, music, and publishing industries, and the critically important collaborative frameworks and models that ignite true, ongoing partnerships industry-wide.”

“My last two feature-length documentaries, All Governments Lie (2016) and The Corporate Coup D’État (2019) have taken me to film festivals all over the world, and one of the very best was the KDocs Film Festival. [KDocs] did an amazing job of organizing the screening of The Corporate Coup D’État and arranging a keynote address and panel discussion with John Ralston Saul, one of Canada’s leading public intellectuals and a major character in my film. The spirited interchange with Saul continued long afterward in the lobby, with a rich diversity of community leaders and filmmakers taking part. It was a warm, fertile environment for an exchange of ideas on ethics, philosophy, history and politics – and why Saul wrote in 1995, “It could be argued that we are now in the midst of a coup d’état in slow motion.” It was an honour to be included at a film festival in my hometown at which social justice is paramount.  An informed critical analysis of social injustice is what I most appreciate in documentary films, and what I strive for in my own. KDocs delivers multiple films and discussions every year that help to make our our city, our province, and our world better places to live. ”

“As the year-round programmer at VIFF’s Vancity Theatre, I have had an ideal vantage point to see how the KDocs Film Festival has developed over the years. We are the host venue and promotional partner for KDocsFF, and it is an association we are proud to maintain, based on our shared values, particularly regarding cinema as a tool for social justice, and on the sustained quality of the festival team’s delivery in terms of curatorial excellence, audience experience, and the interaction between documentary filmmakers, documentary subjects, and engaged audiences. KDocsFF’s emphasis on “Keynote” speakers makes it much more than just a showcase for good films, but a forum for debate, communication, and connection. I have seen first-hand how KDocsFF ensures the festival is accessible to all and, by fostering partnership and collaboration, serves the community at large, including BC’s film, digital, music, and publishing industries. At VIFF, we look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration with KDocsFF.”

“KDocsFF has become Metro Vancouver’s premier social justice film festival—providing a unique opportunity whereby filmmakers, industry professionals, community members, activists, advocates, and the general public come together to celebrate the power of documentary film and documentary activism. KDocsFF’s Film Festival, Year-round Program, Community Outreach Program, and YouTube Channel create diverse and inclusive spaces where networking opportunities can happen, such as community engagement and advocacy, project collaborations, research initiatives, and much more. Unlike most film festivals, at KDocsFF, direct engagement, dialogue, and community-building are just as important as film screenings. [...] Their Year-round Program and Community Outreach Programs offer open-access events, workshops, and opportunities for everyone to embrace the world of documentary film and filmmaking. As a filmmaker, I know how vital these exchanges are to the success of our industry.”

“For a young film festival, KDocsFF punches well above its weight - marrying powerful films on important social justice issues with insightful commentary and discussion. It was a real honour for me to be invited to introduce Killing Patient Zero to a sold-out Vancouver audience at KDocsFF 2020. Also, the festival’s goal of fostering meaningful conversation was achieved in an unexpectedly serendipitous way by connecting me to a new participant for my current research! Thank you, Janice, and the rest of the KDocsFF team, for recognizing the value of these types of exchanges and for creating a forum that allows them to take flight.”

“KDocsFF builds community through documentary. The festival allowed me to engage in meaningful conversations with audience members and impacted communities. The experience of taking my film to the KDocsFF audience was unforgettable. Migrant workers in BC are not always seen, and this film festival brought the workers, their lives, and their fight for justice to the forefront.”

“KDocsFF is a film festival like no other. It succeeds in doing what many film festivals fail to do. Through its powerful use of expert panels, keynote speeches, and Q&As, KDocsFF creates a setting where film audiences, instead of simply walking out after a film, are encouraged to reflect more deeply on what they have seen, and become empowered with the tools and knowledge to become more engaged in the issues presented by the film. KDocsFF organizers have done an outstanding job creating a welcoming, inclusive festival, one that can bring about real change in the world.”

“I will always cherish the sincere outpouring of encouragement and the interest shown in the film Peace Officer that was featured and screened at KDocsFF 2016. I was honored to be the subject of the film and even more deeply honored to have been able to travel a thousand miles to Canada to participate in the Kwantlen Documentary Film Festival to share it. Much success to you and yours.”

“KDocsFF does something very well that few film festivals attempt - to facilitate a meaningful connection between filmmakers, leading scholars and the public to discuss some of the most pressing issues of the day, that extends far beyond the festival itself. It’s a vital and essential cultural event, and I can’t wait to return!”