Curtain rises on Vancity Theatre

Vancity sponsors another Vancouver International Film Festival

Vancouver, September 7, 2005 – Vancity is proud to sponsor the Vancouver International Film Festival for a third year, particularly as the curtain rises on the long-awaited Vancity Theatre just opened in the new film centre at 1181 Seymour Street in Vancouver.

"This partnership is a natural fit as both our organizations embrace storytelling, diversity and culture and the economic boon the festival gives the city," says Elain Duvall, Chair of Vancity’s Board of Directors. "We're also thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Vancity Theatre, which will give VIFF, film buffs and the city an exciting new venue in downtown Vancouver."

As a leader in environmental sustainability, Vancity is once again sponsoring environmental films at the festival. The credit union will also be hitting the big screen itself with a series of amusing trailers that spoof the connection between film genres and banking.

Vancity is already a well-regarded player in the film industry. Vancity and its subsidiary, Vancity Capital, provide financing for many of Vancouver’s most innovative and successful independent film companies. It sees its support of VIFF and the film centre as an important extension of a long-standing commitment to the art and business of film.

Vancity has a history of supporting the arts through sponsorships and grants, including the $1-million Vancity Award, which two years ago went to the Vancouver East Cultural Centre for the revitalization of its theatre; ‘Out On Screen’ - the queer film festival; and Bard on the Beach.

For more information on VIFF, visit www.viff.org.

Vancity is Canada’s largest credit union, with $10.5 billion in assets, more than 312,000 members, and 42 branches throughout Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Victoria. Vancity was chosen as the best place to work in Canada for 2005 by Maclean’s Magazine as part of its annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers issue. Vancity owns Citizens Bank of Canada, serving members across the country by telephone, ATM, and the Internet. Both Vancity and Citizens Bank are guided by a commitment to corporate social responsibility, and to helping members and communities thrive and prosper.