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RBC announces 10-year deal to become official bank of Toronto
International Film Festival
TORONTO, May 22, 2008 — RBC and the Toronto
International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) today announced
a 10-year agreement that will make RBC the Official Bank and
a major sponsor of the Toronto International Film Festival
(TIFF). Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"Toronto is a critical market for RBC and the Toronto
International Film Festival Group contributes significantly
to the region's economy, vitality and national and international
reputation," said Jennifer Tory, RBC Regional President,
Greater Toronto Region. "Our association with TIFFG extends
beyond the two-week festival to support its diverse programming
and cultural contributions throughout the year."
"We are grateful for this strategic partnership with
RBC. Their new commitment reinforces their ongoing support
of our vision and will enhance learning experiences in Bell
Lightbox for years to come." said Piers Handling, Director
& CEO, Toronto International Film Festival Group. "RBC
is a strong believer in community building, by funding emerging
Canadian artists they are expressing their confidence in our
filmmakers and strengthening the fabric of our artistic community."
As the Official Bank of TIFF, RBC will continue its legacy
of supporting education through the arts by contributing to
the RBC Learning Studio at Bell Lightbox, where innovative
education programs will bring the art of cinema and the moving
image to adults and children. In addition, RBC will support
the creation of the RBC Emerging Talent Bursary to be presented
annually to support the participation of Canadian filmmakers
from across the country in TIFFG Industry Programmes. RBC
and TIFF will also collaborate to provide RBC clients with
exclusive experiential opportunities. Now in its 33rd year,
Toronto International Film Festival ranks among the most prestigious
international film festivals in the world. RBC has been a
TIFF financial partner since 2002.
"Our leadership role with TIFF is perfectly aligned
with our approach to supporting the events, causes and activities
that are important to our clients, such as the RBC Canadian
Open, the RBC Blue Water Project, the RBC Canadian Painting
Competition, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, Canada's Olympic
and Paralympics athletes, and Hockey Canada," said Jim
Little, RBC chief brand and communications officer and TIFF
director. In the Toronto area, RBC has a strong presence in
several community based initiatives including the CIMA Toronto
Mayor's XI Youth Cricket Tour, Toronto Harbourfront, The Board
of Trade and WinterCity.
About RBC in the Community
RBC is proud to support the events and passions that resonate
with our clients and all Canadians. In addition to sponsoring
numerous grassroots and community causes and events, RBC is
pleased to play a leadership role in the following initiatives:
The RBC Blue Water Project is aimed at fostering a greater
commitment to water stewardship in Canada and abroad. As the
longest standing partner of the Canadian Olympic Team, RBC
continues its sponsorship through the Vancouver 2010 Olympic
and Paralympic Winter Games. With golf as the top participation
sport in Canada, RBC has become the title sponsor of the RBC
Canadian Open - the country's national golf championship and
the third oldest in the world; and RBC is the Official Bank
of the world's top public film festival - the Toronto International
Film Festival.
Bell Lightbox
Construction of Bell Lightbox, a landmark destination for
the moving image and headquarters for TIFFG, began on February
1, 2007. It is a five-storey podium building located on Reitman
Square in the heart of Toronto's downtown entertainment district.
Bell Lightbox is designed by world renowned Toronto-based
architectural firm KPMB and contains five cinemas, two galleries,
three learning studios, a reference library and archive, and
a retail store.
TIFFG's capital project to build Bell Lightbox is generously
supported by founding sponsor Bell, the Government of Canada
and the Government of Ontario who have each contributed $25
million. The King and John Festival Corporation comprised
of The Daniels Corporation and Ivan Reitman, his sisters Agi
Mandel and Susan Michaels have donated a gift of more than
$22 million. As well, numerous other individuals and corporations
including, but not limited to, CIBC, The Copyright Collective
of Canada, NBC Universal Canada, VISA, Allan Slaight and family,
Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, the TIFFG Board of Directors
and our staff have contributed to the Bell Lightbox campaign.
Total raised to date is $147 million, three quarters of the
total campaign of the $196 million.
The Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) is
a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization whose
mission is to transform the way people see the world. Its
vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery
through the moving image.
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Media contact:
Toronto International Film Festival Group
Marie Nazar,
Manager, Corporate Communications, 416-934-3296,
mnazar@tiffg.ca
RBC
Beja Rodeck,
Director, Media Relations, 416-974-5506, beja.rodeck@rbc.com
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