Whistler Film Festival 2026: dates, passes, and the first films, Dec. 2–6
The 26th Whistler Film Festival runs Dec. 2 to 6. The full lineup lands Nov. 3, but the cheapest passes stop being cheap on Oct. 15. Here's what's announced, what it costs, and how the ticket timing works.
The Whistler Film Festival is the corridor’s December fixture: five days of screenings, premieres and industry sessions in Whistler Village. The 26th edition runs Dec. 2 to 6, 2026, according to the festival. The full program isn’t out yet. The pricing clock, though, has already started.
The dates that matter
- Oct. 15: advance pricing ends on the Whistler Film Pass and industry passes.
- Nov. 2: early-bird pricing ends.
- Nov. 3, 10 a.m. PT: the complete lineup and schedule are announced. Ticket-pack holders get 24 hours of priority access to pick their screenings.
- Nov. 4, 10 a.m. PT: individual film tickets go on sale to everyone.
- Dec. 2 to 6: the festival.
All of the above comes from the festival’s tickets and passes page.
What it costs
Prices below are as published by the festival and are before GST and fees.
- Ticket packs: three films for $60, six for $110, or 10 for $175. Tickets in a pack are transferable but don’t cover the Opening Night film, Content Summit sessions, Signature Series or other events.
- Borsos Canadian 6-Pack: $36 for six screenings, valid only for films in the Borsos Competition for Canadian features.
- Whistler Film Pass: $185 advance until Oct. 15, $215 early bird until Nov. 2, then $255. It covers film screenings Dec. 2 to 6 and the Opening Night film. The festival calls it “the ultimate local’s pass.” It’s non-transferable, and capacity limits apply.
- Industry Pass: $450 advance until Oct. 15, rising to $525, $635 and $750 on-site. It adds the Content Summit, parties and pre-registration for one-on-one meetings.
- Premium Industry, Ambassador and Insider passes run from $525 to $2,500 for priority seating and extra events.
The festival also says a WFF viewing membership is included with every ticket and pass purchase, and that tickets should only be bought through its official box office.
The quick math: if you plan to see more than a handful of films, the Whistler Film Pass bought before Oct. 15 is the cheapest way in. If you’re coming for one weekend and three films, the 3-pack is $60. If you want Canadian film specifically, the $36 Borsos pack is the best value on the page, at $6 a screening.
The first films
The festival announced its first selections on Sept. 23 at its Almost WFF kickoff, all with B.C. connections:
- Queens for a Day (Special Presentation, B.C. premiere): an independent feature from Chris Carter, creator of The X-Files, written by Dori Carter and made with a largely B.C. crew and an entirely B.C. cast. Carter will also do an on-stage Signature Series masterclass.
- The Lightkeeper (Special Presentation, Canadian premiere): an Ireland–B.C. co-production directed by Vic Sarin, starring Dominic Cooper, Sarah Bolger, Sarah Gadon, Emily Beecham and Aidan Quinn. It’s eligible for the Borsos Competition.
- Ceremony (World Documentary, Whistler premiere): directed and produced by Banchi Hanuse, about the Nuxalk community’s search for the vanished ooligan.
- Three B.C. shorts: Petra’s Lasso from Gigi Saul Guerrero, shot entirely on an iPhone; Split Ends from Kay Metchie; and The Last Caller from Mariel Calvo.
The rest of the program, including the Mountain Culture films the festival lists among its regular programs on its festival page, arrives Nov. 3. See the WFF26 films page for the first selections.
Getting there and getting around
The festival says its events are centrally located in Whistler Village, within a short walk of each other, and its travel page lists airport shuttles, an express bus from downtown Vancouver, and local taxis for anyone not driving. If you are driving, remember that December on the 99 is winter driving: winter tires are required on the Sea to Sky Highway from Oct. 1 to March 31 under the province’s designated route rules. Check DriveBC before you leave, and see our winter explainer.
Want in for free?
The festival recruits volunteers for venue, village operations and red-carpet photography roles. Its FAQ says applications are reviewed from September and that volunteers will be contacted with details in early to mid-November. Volunteers get film tickets and festival swag, per the festival.
The bottom line
Buy the pass before Oct. 15 if you’re sure you’re going. If you’re not, wait for the Nov. 3 lineup and buy single tickets on Nov. 4. Either way, book the drive like it’s December, because it will be.
Sources
- Whistler Film Festival: 26th festival Dec. 2–6, 2026; ticketed event; official box office only; volunteer timeline
- Whistler Film Festival: Ticket pack, Borsos pack, film pass and industry pass prices and deadlines; Nov. 3 lineup and Nov. 4 single-ticket sale; viewing membership included
- Whistler Film Festival: First films announced Sept. 23 at Almost WFF; Chris Carter masterclass; film details
- Whistler Film Festival: First WFF26 selections
- Whistler Film Festival: Festival programs including Mountain Culture
- Whistler Film Festival: Events centrally located in Whistler Village; shuttle, bus and taxi options
- Province of British Columbia: Highway 99 winter tire period Oct. 1 to March 31
