A Celebration of Cinema: Government of Canada Supports the Vancouver International Film Festival

Funding from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program will support this year's Vancouver International Film Festival and the design phase of its Film Centre renovation project

VANCOUVER, Sept. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - The Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society will begin work on the next phase of a capital project to renovate the Vancouver International Film Centre, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. The Honourable Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament (Vancouver Centre), today announced funding of $50,000 for this important infrastructure project. Dr. Fry made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

This funding, provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will allow the Society to complete the architectural design stage of a planned renovation to the Vancouver International Film Centre's atrium lounge and production rooms. The Centre, built in 2005, also includes the VanCity Theatre, an important community amenity space in downtown Vancouver. This redevelopment of the Centre will allow the Society to grow its programming offerings and expand its partnerships with not-for-profit film, arts and culture organizations.

The Society is also receiving $100,200 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program in support of this year's Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF). Festival activities include film screenings, question and answer sessions with local filmmakers, and post-screening events. This year's VIFF will also feature Expanding Frontiers in Storytelling ? a series dedicated to new mediums of virtual reality and augmented reality.

Quotes

"Our government is especially proud to support this year's VIFF as it continues to share thought-provoking, contemporary, enriching and inspiring stories from Canada and beyond. I would like to thank the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society and the many organizers, artists, filmmakers and volunteers who have helped to bring this festival to screens across Vancouver."

?The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"The Vancouver International Film Festival has proven itself a leader in curating innovative and compelling films, and creating remarkable festival experiences. Now in its 36^th year, the festival continues to engage an ever-wider number of citizens and cinephiles through film experiences, helping to take the festival to a new level."

?The Honourable Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament (Vancouver Centre)

"VIFF is grateful for the ongoing support of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This critical contribution enables our organization to remain a vibrant arts and cultural organization and supporter of the development of creative industries in British Columbia. VIFF's diverse program is a reflection of the city in which we work and live, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to engage over 1,000 volunteers and 140,000 attendees?and growing?at our festival each year."

?Jacqueline Dupuis, Executive Director, Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society

Quick Facts

The Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society, founded in 1982, is the not-for-profit organization that operates the internationally acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival. It also offers year-round programming at the Vancouver International Film Centre in downtown Vancouver.

VIFF is among the five largest film festivals in North America and one of Vancouver's vanguard events. It also provides one of the largest showcases of Canadian film in the world.

The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program increases opportunities for local artists, artisans, heritage performers or specialists to be involved in their community through festivals, events and projects. It also allows groups to commemorate their local history and heritage.

The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.

Associated Links

Vancouver International Film Festival
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

SOURCE Canadian Heritage