MUMBAI: The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), on the eve of its 28th anniversary edition has received good news.
The federal government‘s Marquee Tourism Events program granted VIFF new funding to the tune of $467,250 to promote the festival across Canada and abroad.

Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore made the announcement with an impassioned argument for viewing VIFF and other areas of Canada‘s cultural community as key parts of the economy.

Moore cited statistics that 650,000 Canadians are employed in arts and culture enterprises worth $46 billion to the economy - twice the size of the forest or agricultural industries and three times the size of the insurance industry.
VIFF director Alan Franey said the funding will allow the festival to grow beyond local borders.

"Marketing our festival outside our region to the full Pacific Northwest and the West Coast is something we‘ve always hoped to be able to do," Franey said. "Now, fortunately, it is within our means."