VIDF*INFO

About

The Vancouver International Dance Festival was founded in 2000 by Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi who programmed the festival with a commitment to inclusivity and a nod to their own eclectic interests. VIDF leadership transitioned to Deanna Peters and Victor Tran in 2024. They bring a grassroots DIY ethos that continues Barbara and Jay's legacy of celebrating diverse forms of dance.

The VIDF is a highly anticipated event that has no aesthetic boundaries. It showcases work that's raw, kinetic and experimental — performances that engage and challenge audiences. Increasing public appreciation for dance is a core goal.

Equity and approachability are central principles of VIDF, which strives to make dance accessible to all sectors of the Vancouver population, including those who are economically disadvantaged. If dance is universal, VIDF welcomes everyone to be a part of it.

VIDF is an incorporated non-profit organization with charitable status since 2006. Charitable Business Number: 89285 8614 RR0001

The Vancouver International Dance Festival is grateful to exist on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh and səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ Nations.

Connect with us

photo Boris Khramtsov

Deanna Peters

Festival Co-Director

deanna@vidf.ca

photo Boris Khramtsov

Victor Tran

Festival Co-Director

victor@vidf.ca

photo Boris Khramtsov

Zoe Zhang

Marketing Manager

zoe@vidf.ca

Mailing address

236 — 111 Hastings St. W.
Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4
Canada

Collaborators

Barbara Bourget Festival Co-Founder

Jay Hirabayashi Festival Co-Founder

Jo Hirabayashi Outgoing Executive Director

Michelle Olson Guest Artist, Selection Committee

Ash Shotton Technical Director

Aaron Smith Art Director

Dan Loan Videographer, Content Creator

Luciana Freire D’Anunciação Photographer

Vanessa Goodman Artist Consultant

Aleksandra Panić Policy Consultant

Supporters

Lara Abadir * Mary-Louise Albert * Ilze Bebris * Kevin Bergsma * René Brar * Cristina Bucci * Heidi Bunting * Florence Chazal * Ileanna Cheladyn * Yvonne Chew * Sammy Chien * Leah Cropper * Karen Chrysler * Jimena Diaz Jirash * Peter Dickinson * Marijn Eterman * Anusha Fernando * Alexis Fletcher * Kate Franklin * Claire French * Judith Garay * Vanessa Goodman * Nathan Griffiths * Robert Hamilton * Victoria Henderson * Joseph Hirabayashi * Houman Kamali * Yurie Kaneko * Ahmed Khalil * Boris Khramtsov * Shawn Kim * Jeanette Kotowich * Kyoung Mann Cho * David Lach * Rebecca Margolick * Mayumi Lashbrook * Julie Lebel * Keith Lim * Cathy Lin * Tuan Luu * Caroline MacCaull * Rachel Maddock * Salome Nieto * Michelle Olson * Jean Orr * Deanna Peters * Deirdre Porreca * Golnaz Rasouli * Avideh Saadatpajouh * Philip Seth * Olivia Shaffer * Shannon Schoenit * Cara Siu * Christopher Son * Leslie Stark * Naomi Steinberg * Matthew Stott * Liisa Tella * Daisy Thompson * Alvin Tolentino * Victor Tran * Sujit Vaidya * Suzanne Vetterli * Vision Impure * Christopher Walsh * Bradley Waters * Matthew Wong * Jason Wrobleski * Donna Yamamoto * Zoe Zhang * Suzann Zimmering *

We thank these VIDF Supporters whose bolstering goes beyond $$$. All who donate $25+up become a VIDF Society Member and are an important part of our work, making it more relevant, healthy and inclusive.

Ambassadors

André Bessett

Eliane Bowden

Kaili Che

Alyssa Favero

Emmalena Fredriksson

Max Hanic

Ahmed Khalil

Cazimi Loro

danielle Mackenzie Long

Natalia Martineau

Vania Mello

Emiko Morita

sharai mustatia

Silene Razo

Krystal Tsai

Much gratitude to these fine members of the community for representing VIDF at festival events. They're the friendly folks with the VIDF badges, ready to assist you.

Responders

Ileanna Cheladyn

Sevrin Emnacen

Rachel Maddock

Mark McGregor

Charlotte Newman

Ghinwa Yassine

We've invited local artists to respond to VIDF 2025 shows as part of the Living Room, a series of dialogues VIDF's publishing in-house.

VIDF is part of Rua I Te, a three-year collaboration to support the innovative work of Charles Koroneho [Aotearoa/New Zealand], including Ko Te Ākau at VIDF 2025.