Sep 3: Vancity Debuts as VIFF Sponsor

Vancouver, September 3, 2003 - Vancity is pleased to be making its big debut as a sponsor of this year's Vancouver International Film Festival.

"This partnership is an ideal fit for both of us," said Bruce Ralston, Chair of Vancity's Board of Directors. "We are both strong local organizations with a long-standing relationship and a shared commitment to cultural diversity and the exchange of new ideas and fresh perspectives."

"This sponsorship gives us an opportunity to support a pre-eminent film festival and take a starring role in our community," says Kari Grist, Vancity's Vice-President of Marketing.

Vancity will also hit the big screen at this year's festival with an intriguing trailer that cleverly meshes the worlds of art and commerce.

To celebrate its sponsorship, Vancity is giving away two festival gold passes (total value $1,000) through the online contest form. In additon, Vancity is also offering its members a 50 per cent discount on a one-year VIFF membership.

Next fall, Vancity will play an even meatier role in the festival when the Vancity Theatre opens in the state-of-the-art Vancouver International Film Festival Centre at 1181 Seymour Street.

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 small, independent film companies. It sees its support of VIFF and the Film Centre as an important extension of its commitment to the art and business of film.

In addition, Vancity has a history of supporting the arts through sponsorships and grants, including the $1-million Vancity Award, which last year went to the Vancouver East Cultural Centre for the revitalization of its theatre; 'Out on Screen' - the gay and lesbian film festival; the Bard on the Beach Shakespearean Festival; and the Vancouver Folk Festival.

Vancity is Canada’s largest credit union, with $9.3 billion in assets, 305,000 members, and 41 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 improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work.