VFF25 Spring Launch Sets the Stage for an Unforgettable Festival Season
- VFF
- May 14
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
On May 13, 2025, the Vaughan International Film Festival (VFF) officially kicked off its 2025 season with an unforgettable evening at Niagara University in Ontario’s Vaughan campus. The annual Spring Launch set the tone for what’s already shaping up to be VFF’s biggest year yet, bringing together filmmakers, partners, media, and special guests for the exciting unveiling of this year’s official lineup and festival programming.
Proudly sponsored by Chop Steakhouse & Bar, the Spring Launch was more than just an announcement—it was a celebration. A longstanding supporter of VFF, Chop has continually demonstrated their belief in our mission to uplift emerging talent and bring community together through the power of film. Their generous support helped make this milestone evening one to remember.
The evening was hosted by Andrea Trentadue, beloved CHIN TV personality and VFF International Judge, who brought her signature warmth and energy to the stage. With her deep roots in the arts and culture community, Andrea guided guests through exclusive reveals, inspiring recognitions, and plenty of reasons to be excited for what’s ahead.
“We weren’t familiar with the Vaughan International Film Festival, but he (Antonio) really pulled us over with his energy and his vision for the festival and what it could be, it was very inspiring, and we immediately saw we needed to be part of it.” – Evan Clarke (Senior Associate Dean, Niagara University in Ontario)
That vision, shared by VFF Co-Founder Antonio Ienco, continues to unite new partners and creators from across the industry—further strengthening the festival's reputation as a cultural force in Vaughan and beyond.
A Look Ahead at VFF25
With the crowd buzzing in anticipation, VFF proudly unveiled its 2025 official nominees, featured guests, and honourees across a number of highly anticipated categories:
2025 Official Nominees
Best Cinematography
Daryl Hefti for Edge of Space
Gregor Božič for The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
Kate Cornish for Dusty
Best Performance
Ane Gabaráin for TITO
Forough Qajabegli for 3.400KG
Goran Bogdan for The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
Travis Jeffery for Dusty
Best Director
Javier Celay for TITO
Jeremy Lindsay Taylor for Dusty
Nebojša Slijepčević for The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
Best Canadian Film
Goodridge: The Price of Glory
Inkwo for When The Starving Return
Maybe Elephants
Best Film
Bottle George (Japan)
Dusty (Australia)
The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent (Croatia)
2025 Sandra Piccolo Trailblazer:
Tonya Williams
2025 Indie Leader:
Sergio Di Zio
2025 Headline Performer:
Tonino Chiodo
2025 Hosts:
Award Show Host: Nicole Servinis
Student Screening Host: Michaelangelo Masangkay
International Screenings Host: Lee-Anne Galloway
Red Carpet Host: Raquel Zanardo
What’s Next: Festival Week at VFF25
The Spring Launch reaffirmed VFF’s mission to spotlight impactful stories and elevate emerging filmmakers through the power of short film. This year’s festival, presented by QuadReal Property Group, kicks off June 16 with the Student Screening, followed by two action-packed days of international screenings, networking mixers, and after-parties. The celebration will culminate in the prestigious VFF Awards Night on Thursday, June 19.
A Special Thanks to Chop Steakhouse & Bar and Niagara University in Ontario
VFF was proud to host this year’s Spring Launch sponsored by Chop Steakhouse & Bar at Niagara University’s Vaughan campus. Chop Steakhouse & Bar has been a long time supporter of VFF and they are a champion of building the community in Vaughan and giving back to local organizations. Thank you Niagara University for being a vital contributor to the cultural and academic landscape of Vaughan—perfectly aligning with VFF’s vision to inspire the next generation of creators.
As we look ahead to Festival Week in June, the excitement is building—and the Spring Launch was the perfect way to ignite that spark. Whether you’re a filmmaker, film lover, student, or industry leader, VFF25 promises four days of unforgettable stories, creative connection, and celebration of the arts.
See you at Festival Week—tickets are on sale now here.
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