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Follow on Google News | Female Entrepreneur with a Passion for Film Grows Highly Successful FestivalWhistler Film Festival promotes Canadian films while contributing $11.25 million annually to local economy
By: Whistler Film Festival Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2010, WFF’s impact has been enormous for Whistler, the British Columbia film industry, and for Canada’s international reputation in this important art form. In the past nine years, the Festival has hosted 62,067 attendees, 3,426 Forum delegates, screened 639 films and facilitated 1,181+ industry meetings and over $76 million in deals. Since 2001, annual Festival attendance has grown 300% to almost 11,000. Whistler Film Festival generates an annual economic impact of over $10 million, employs 5 full-time staff and 30 contractors, and relies on the support of over 100 volunteers. From 2001 to 2009, over $5.1 million has been invested into the Whistler Film Festival and by the time the 2010 festival has wrapped, an additional $1.5 million will be invested bringing the total direct investment over ten years to $6.6+ million. “By 2020, our vision is to establish the Whistler Film Festival as and one of the top film festivals in the world and for Whistler to be the pre-eminent destination that connects the art and business of film,” says Mishaw. “Our goal is for Whistler to house one of Canada’s most digitally advanced theatres, and to become an epicenter for advanced training in screen-based entertainment.” How? Mishaw is spearheading the WFFS’ Future in Focus fundraising campaign to raise $5 million dollars. $2.5 million of the campaign will transform Whistler's first movie house, the now defunct Rainbow Theatre, into a state-of-the- Through passion and long-term vision, WFF will continue to provide filmmakers with unrestricted access to audiences, an intimate environment that fosters appreciation of film as well as a setting conducive for industry to meet and solidify business opportunities for future projects. A mother of two under the age of 5, Shauna Hardy Mishaw and her team are shaping the future of film, business and culture in Canada. About the Whistler Film Festival Taking place December 1 to 5, the 10th anniversary Whistler Film Festival combines an esteemed international film competition, with a concentrated industry conference organized to address the ever-changing landscape of content creation. As well as honouring excellence in international film, Whistler provides an intimate, interactive and inspiring meeting place for the screen based entertainment industry to meet and network, to enable co-production deals and generate new business partnerships, and to explore current issues and future trends. About the Whistler Film Festival Society Established in 2001, the Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) is a charitable cultural organization dedicated to establishing Whistler as the pre-eminent destination that connects the art and business of film. Through its programs WFFS plays a leadership role celebrating, promoting and developing film artists from Canada and around the world, and introducing industry and audiences to their work. WFFS’ annual programs include the annual Whistler Film Festival and Forum held in Whistler each December, the CFC Go West Producers Lab held in Whistler each June in partnership with the Canadian Film Centre, and the Reel Alternatives independent film series that runs from September to April. For more information: - 30- Media interview requests please contact: Colette Gunson | Jive Communications E. colette@jivecommunications.ca | T. 778-228-6779 End
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