Vancouver is an awesome place to find cultural events. Currently, the 33rd annual VIFF is running from September 25 to October 10.

This year was the first year that VIFF teamed up with Myriam Laroche and Eco-Fashion Week to bring the audience Style in Film. Style in Film is comprised of fashion films from all over the world. I was lucky enough to attend the North American premier of the French documentary, “Handmade With Love In France” with fellow blogger, Laura Collins.

This documentary showcased 4 French artisans. These artisans all worked with their hands doing either pleating, hat making or making flower details for haute couture lines such as Chanel and Dior. These French ateliers are in threat of disappearing due to the lack of want to go into these fields. Because of this, Chanel has started buying these ateliers under the name Paraffection, in order to keep them around.

After the film there was a panel discussion led by Myriam Laroche. The speakers included director, Julie Georgia Bernard, local clothing designer Jason Matlo and local hat maker and creative mind behind Hive Mind Millinery, Dominique Hanke. These visionaries discussed the importance of hand made goods and how to stay eco friendly while consuming fashion.

This documentary brings you on a rollercoaster of emotions from laughter to heartache. It is being screened again October 10, at 5:30pm at the Vancity Theatre. There will also be screenings when VIFF ends. If you are not able to catch it in theatres, there will be a dvd release.

As VIFF is still running for a few more days, I recommend that you find something to go watch. Whether it be from the Style in Film series, or not, these films are not to be passed up.