An Evening with Michael Abels at VIFF Talks

The 2022 Vancouver International Film Festival (“VIFF”) presents the VIFF Talks series October 2-7, which provides a platform for industry professionals to share their expertise, going beyond the screen. One of these presentations is An Evening with Michael Abels, a special one-night only event with two-time Emmy-nominated composer Michael Abels (Get Out, Nope) featuring the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

An Evening with Michael Abels at VIFF Talks

• When: Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 7:00pm
• Where: Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
• Tickets: Available online now

Michael Abels is known for his genre-defying scores for the Jordan Peele films Get Out and Us, for which Abels won a World Soundtrack Award and the Jerry Goldsmith Award, among others. The hip-hop influenced score for Us was shortlisted for the Oscar. Abels’ creative output also includes the concert work At War With Ourselves for the Kronos Quartet and the opera Omar, co-composed with Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Rhiannon Giddens.

Abels is co-founder of the Composers Diversity Collective, an advocacy group to increase visibility of composers of colour in film, gaming, and streaming media.

Just announced is the addition of two black soloists who will be joining the VSO, including Vancouver’s own violinist John “Adidam” Littlejohn and LA Opera’s soprano Tiffany Townsend.

Enter to Win

I have a pair of tickets to give away for this evening of insight, creativity, and performances of Abels’ music. Here’s how you can enter to win:

Additional VIFF Talks events include:

• Brother: In Conversation with Clement Virgo, Director
• Sunday, October 2 – 6:00pm at The Annex
• Acclaimed director-writer Clement Virgo is one of Canada’s foremost film directors. His numerous TV credits include Empire, The Wire, The L Word, and CBC’s record-breaking The Book of Negroes, which he directed and co-wrote. Join us for a unique conversation and get new insights into his acclaimed film, Brother, a VIFF 2022 Showcase selection. The talk is moderated by his fellow Canadian Film Centre graduate, Vancouver-based director Mina Shum.

• In Conversation with Costume Designer, Deborah L. Scott
• Monday, October 3 – 7:00pm at The Annex
• Best known for her work in James Cameron’s record-breaking blockbuster Titanic, which won her the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Deborah Lynn Scott has earned more than 50 credits for her work, which include the iconic films Back to the Future, Minority Report, and Transformers. Join us for a fascinating conversation about Scott’s process: designing costumes for action movies versus period pieces, the importance of research, and creative collaboration required to pull off a director’s vision.

• Don’t Worry Darling: Production Design Masterclass with Katie Byron
• Wednesday, October 5 – 7:00pm at The Annex
• Production designer Katie Byron recently reunited with director Olivia Wilde on one of the most anticipated films of 2022, Don’t Worry Darling, where she created a glamorous look for a 1950s experimental, utopian suburban community. Come hear about Byron’s collaborations, working with directors, and designing the perfect look, feel, and shape of a utopian realm.

• Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, In Conversation with Dean Fleischer Camp, Director
• Friday, October 7 – 1:00pm via VIFF Connect
• In 2010, Dean Fleischer Camp, an award-winning filmmaker and New York Times bestselling author, along with Jenny Slate, created a short film about Marcel, an endearingly cheerful talking shell with one eye and little shoes. The little character became a viral hit, leading to a feature adaptation produced by A24. We’re excited to hear Fleischer Camp share his singular process about creating a feature film that combines elements of narrative, documentary, improvisation, and two forms of animation.

The 2022 Vancouver International Film Festival runs September 29th to October 9th.