The Honourable Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament (Vancouver Centre), announced significant investments in the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society for enhancements to the Vancouver International Film Centre as well as support for the 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival. She made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.
The society will receive $1,361,157 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for renovations to its 2,400 sq. ft. atrium. Upgrades include the addition of a micro-theatre to present films and events to smaller audiences, a virtual reality and augmented reality film lounge and a production room. The project will also result in a reconfigured atrium that will be used as a multi-use presentation space, primarily for smaller scale film presentations and events. These improvements will allow for a larger variety of activities inside the Vancouver International Film Centre and will enhance the experience for patrons.
Built in 2005, the centre also includes the VanCity Theatre, an important community space in downtown Vancouver. The redevelopment of the centre will allow the society to expand its programming and its partnerships with not-for-profit film, arts and culture organizations.
The society will also receive $102,500 from the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program for this year's Vancouver International Film Festival, one of the largest Canadian cinema showcases in the world. Festival activities include film screenings, question and answer sessions with local filmmakers, and post-screening events. This additional support was made possible in part by the government's reinvestment of $50 million in support of festivals, arts presenters, and community celebrations, as outlined in Budget 2019.
Quotes
"Canada's film sector is second to none and our government is proud to support the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society as it to showcases Canadian cinema year after year. The film centre serves as a cultural landmark in Greater Vancouver, and is a place to bring together British Columbia's thriving arts and culture sector. Congratulations to the festival on another great edition, and for moving forward with this important project. I also congratulate outgoing Executive Director Jacqueline Dupuis, whose leadership has helped cement the festival as one of Canada's signature cultural events each year."
-The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
"Now in its 38th year, the Vancouver International Film Festival is one of our city's signature cultural events and a beacon for film aficionados of all stripes, drawing audiences from across Vancouver and around the world. The infrastructure improvements that this funding supports will create opportunities for networking and collaboration throughout the creative sector in British Columbia and beyond."
-The Honourable Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament (Vancouver Centre)
