Question 1

Who is Futureproof Festival for?

Accepted Answer

Vancouver's AI community and the curious public: builders, artists, researchers, founders, health and policy people, and anyone trying to get a real read on what this technology is doing to their work and their city. You don't need to work in AI to belong here. 2026 is deliberately small, which means you'll actually meet people, more than once. More: https://www.futureproof.website/about https://www.futureproof.website/festival

Question 2

What will I walk away with?

Accepted Answer

Honest ground truth about how AI is actually changing work, culture, creativity, and public life. No vendor keynotes, no hype reel. The program favours people showing real work over people selling a roadmap, and the three-day festival is small enough that the conversations keep going in the hallway. If you leave with a sharper read on what's real and a handful of people you didn't know before, it worked. More: https://www.futureproof.website/festival https://www.futureproof.website/festival

Question 3

Will Futureproof Festival return after 2026?

Accepted Answer

Future edition details will be shared after they are confirmed. For now, the public campaign is focused on October 28-30, 2026 in Vancouver. More: https://www.futureproof.website/festival

Question 4

Why this focused shape?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 festival brings opening night and two program days together at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. The format gives people repeated chances to meet, compare notes, and carry questions beyond the festival. More: https://www.futureproof.website/festival

Question 5

What does the Festival Pass include?

Accepted Answer

One pass, all three days: opening night on October 28, the full program on October 29 and 30, the 2nd Annual BC + AI Film Festival, and the AI Film Festival closing party. There is no separate film ticket and no separate closing ticket, and there are no single-day passes. If it is on the festival program, your pass opens it. More: https://www.futureproof.website/festival

Question 6

Why is this so expensive?

Accepted Answer

The public Festival Pass is CA$650 Early Bird through August 15, 2026 and CA$950 standard after, and covers all three days: opening night, both program days, and the AI Film Festival closing party. During the Early Bird window it shows up on Luma as the 🪱 Earlyworm Festival Pass; same ticket, same price. The number carries the venue, the production crew, and the film and performance programming that a lot of events sell back to you as an add-on. Active BC + AI members receive 25% off all public ticket types. Student Festival Pass is CA$250. More: https://www.futureproof.website/tickets

Question 7

Do I need to attend all three days?

Accepted Answer

The Festival Pass covers opening night Oct 28 and program days Oct 29–30. There are no single-day passes. More: https://www.futureproof.website/festival https://www.futureproof.website/tickets

Question 8

When does Early Bird pricing end?

Accepted Answer

Early Bird pricing runs through August 15, 2026. On Luma it is listed as the 🪱 Earlyworm Festival Pass at CA$650; same ticket, same three days. Once the window closes the Festival Pass is CA$950 and stays there. The Student Festival Pass (CA$250) and the Supporter Pass (CA$1,650) are the same price the whole way through. Tickets are available at luma.com/futureproof-festival. More: https://www.futureproof.website/tickets

Question 9

How is the Supporter Pass different from the Festival Pass?

Accepted Answer

It opens exactly the same festival: opening night, both program days, the 2nd Annual BC + AI Film Festival, and the AI Film Festival closing party. On top of that it carries a Futureproof merch bundle, and the difference in price is additional support that helps widen access. There is no separate lounge and no separate line. You sit where everyone else sits; you just covered more than your own seat. It is CA$1,650, and it follows the same refund and transfer rules as every other public pass. More: https://www.futureproof.website/tickets

Question 10

Who qualifies for the Student Festival Pass?

Accepted Answer

Full-time students, at CA$250 for all three days. Bring a valid student ID to registration; that is the whole check. It is the same festival everyone else is at, not a stripped-down version: opening night, both program days, the 2nd Annual BC + AI Film Festival, and the AI Film Festival closing party. More: https://www.futureproof.website/tickets

Question 11

How does the BC + AI member discount work?

Accepted Answer

Active BC + AI members receive 25% off all public ticket types, applied at checkout rather than through a code posted here. Membership itself is handled by BC + AI at bc-ai.ca. If you are already a member and the discount is not showing up, email futureproof@bc-ai.ca before you buy rather than paying full price and asking us to fix it after. More: https://www.futureproof.website/tickets

Question 12

Can I refund or transfer a ticket?

Accepted Answer

Full refund until August 15, 2026. 50% refund August 16 through August 31, 2026. Transfers only from September 1, 2026 onward. An approved transfer may need updated attendee information before the festival. Checkout runs on Luma, so Luma's own payment and account terms apply alongside ours, and the full text is on the terms page. More: https://www.futureproof.website/terms

Question 13

I'm traveling from out of town. What happens if my plans change?

Accepted Answer

Full refund until August 15, 2026. 50% refund August 16 through August 31, 2026. Transfers only from September 1, 2026 onward. That last part is the one that matters if you are flying in: a booked trip is never a stranded ticket, because a pass stays transferable to another person right up to the festival. Book the parts of the trip you can change, and hand the pass to a colleague if the month turns on you. Flights, places to stay, and getting from YVR to Vanier Park are on the travel page. More: https://www.futureproof.website/travel https://www.futureproof.website/terms

Question 14

How do I pitch a talk?

Accepted Answer

Through the call for talks: five minutes, no formal abstract required. Talks, workshops, demos, performances, panels, and formats that don't have a name yet are all fair game. Pitches close August 15, 2026; we're reading now, and every pitch gets an answer by the end of August. Weird and specific beats polished and vague. More: https://www.futureproof.website/call-for-talks

Question 15

Can I volunteer instead of buying a ticket?

Accepted Answer

Yes. About 30 volunteer roles keep the festival running: greeters, stage managers, runners, tech support, film ushers, floor managers. Volunteers get a comped Festival Pass plus swag, the post-festival dinner, and priority for 2027. Apply on the /volunteer page; we reply within two weeks. More: https://www.futureproof.website/volunteer

Question 16

Is there a creative AI performance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The opening-night creative AI live set features artists performing with AI as their instrument, from generative visuals to live-coded sound. The AI Film Festival closing party carries that energy into Friday night. Both are included with every Festival Pass. More: https://www.futureproof.website/festival

Question 17

Is the film festival included in my ticket?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The 2nd Annual BC + AI Film Festival and the AI Film Festival closing party are included with Festival Pass, Student Festival Pass, and Supporter Pass; there is no separate film ticket to buy.

Question 18

What about the hackathon?

Accepted Answer

Round 5 of the Data Storytelling Hackathon runs inside the festival, kicking off Wednesday Oct 28. Entry is included with a festival pass and teams run up to four people. Partner, dataset, and prize details publish as they're confirmed. More: https://www.futureproof.website/hackathon

Question 19

Does co-founder matchmaking guarantee a match?

Accepted Answer

No. The Startup Exhibitor Package includes access for its named passholders to opt in through the private follow-up intake, and other registered attendees may opt in as capacity allows. Futureproof facilitates human introductions; it does not guarantee a seat until confirmed, compatibility, investment, employment, company formation, or any other outcome. Contact details are shared only after both people request an introduction and permit sharing.

Question 20

Is food included?

Accepted Answer

Catering is still being confirmed, so plan your day as if meals are on your own until the published event notes say otherwise. The venue sits in Vanier Park with Kitsilano's cafes and restaurants close by, and the attendee guide will carry food updates as they land. More: https://www.futureproof.website/attendee-guide

Question 21

How do I get to the venue?

Accepted Answer

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut St in Vanier Park. The #2 and #32 buses stop nearby, False Creek Ferries dock right at Vanier Park, and it's an easy walk or ride over from Granville Island. From the airport, budget about 35 to 45 minutes by Canada Line plus a short connection, or a direct rideshare. More: https://www.futureproof.website/travel https://www.futureproof.website/venues

Question 22

Where should I stay?

Accepted Answer

We're holding a festival room block at the Sylvia Hotel, a Vancouver classic on English Bay about 10 minutes from Vanier Park, with group rates from $259/night plus tax — call 604.681.9321, mention "Futureproof Festival," and book by Sept 28. Kitsilano / Granville Island, Downtown / Coal Harbour, and Mount Pleasant are the most useful neighbourhoods, and the /travel page breaks them down: Granville Island Hotel is the closest characterful option, Pan Pacific anchors downtown, and Sandman Signature Olympic Village is a solid value pick. More: https://www.futureproof.website/travel

Question 23

What should I do the day before or after the festival?

Accepted Answer

We're designing optional workshops and paid experiences around the festival dates, some before and some after, and they'll be announced as they're confirmed. Beyond that, if you have an extra day: the Seawall through Stanley Park is one of the great urban park experiences on the continent, Granville Island Public Market is a 10-minute ferry from downtown, Squamish or Whistler is a 90-minute drive north if you want mountains, and the UBC Museum of Anthropology is essential if you're interested in Indigenous culture. More: https://www.futureproof.website/travel https://www.futureproof.website/retreat

Question 24

Are all venues wheelchair accessible?

Accepted Answer

The festival is anchored at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, and the venue's public information lists accessible entry and accessible washrooms. Final seating, room routing, and mobility notes publish after the production review. Email futureproof@bc-ai.ca with specific needs before the festival so routing, seating, and support can be planned around you. More: https://www.futureproof.website/attendee-guide

Question 25

Will sessions be captioned?

Accepted Answer

Live captioning is planned for the main-stage sessions, with final scope confirmed in the production pass. If you have specific accessibility needs, email futureproof@bc-ai.ca before the event. More: https://www.futureproof.website/attendee-guide

Question 26

Does the festival have a Code of Conduct?

Accepted Answer

Yes. See /code-of-conduct. It covers all festival spaces, evening events, and online spaces. It applies equally to everyone in the room: ticket holders, speakers, sponsors, and organizers. More: https://www.futureproof.website/code-of-conduct

Question 27

What about the Vancouver AI Meetup?

Accepted Answer

The regular Vancouver AI Meetup at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre runs on its own monthly schedule. The May 27, 2026 meetup opened the Early Bird push; the October festival still runs as its own Oct 28-30 program.

Question 28

Is there a group or corporate discount?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Group pricing is available for teams of five or more on the same booking; it's handled directly rather than through a public code. Email futureproof@bc-ai.ca with how many passes you need and who they are for, and we'll sort you out. One piece of advice from running these before: teams get more out of it when they split up during the day and compare notes at night, rather than moving through the festival as a block.

Question 29

Do I need a visa to attend as a US citizen?

Accepted Answer

No visa required. US citizens need only a valid passport to enter Canada. Other nationalities: check the IRCC website for your country's eTA or visa requirements. Most Western countries enter visa-free or with a quick online eTA ($7 CAD). More: https://www.futureproof.website/travel

Question 30

What's the weather like in Vancouver in late October?

Accepted Answer

Cool and overcast, occasionally rainy. Typical Pacific Northwest fall. Expect 8–14°C (46–57°F) during the day. Bring layers and a waterproof jacket. It's rarely cold enough for a heavy coat, but an umbrella or rain shell is essential.

Question 31

How far is Vancouver from major cities?

Accepted Answer

Seattle: ~3-hour drive or 45 min to Bellingham + shuttle. San Francisco: ~2.5-hour direct flight. Toronto: ~5-hour direct flight. New York: ~6-hour direct flight. London: ~9.5-hour direct flight. YVR is well-connected and easy to get in and out of. More: https://www.futureproof.website/travel

Question 32

Where do I find press assets?

Accepted Answer

The /press page carries the press kit: boilerplate, dates, venue facts, and selected images. For interviews or anything the kit doesn't cover, email press@bc-ai.ca with your outlet and angle. More: https://www.futureproof.website/press

Question 33

How do I become a sponsor?

Accepted Answer

Email the partnerships crew at partners@bc-ai.ca or use the sponsor form on /sponsors. Presenting, Founding, and Supporting Partner packages are open for the 2026 festival, with custom activations scoped after the main package fit is clear. More: https://www.futureproof.website/sponsors

Question 34

What is included in the Startup Exhibitor Package?

Accepted Answer

The CA$2,000 package includes two full Festival Passes, a demo table and two chairs on Thursday and Friday, standard power and event Wi-Fi, an approved linked profile, a generative promotion kit, and co-founder matchmaking access. Inquiries are open at /startup-exhibitors; purchases are final and non-refundable. More: https://www.futureproof.website/startup-exhibitors

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