Although best known for its snowboarding and skiing, Whistler, BC has recently emerged as the architect of a progressive and growing film festival, thanks in part to corporate sponsors like Zip.ca – Canada’s leading online video rental service. Zip.ca is a key supporter of the four-day festival, taking place from December 1st to the 4th, in the popular mountain resort.
As part of their relationship with the Whistler Film Festival, Zip.ca will be making available to Canadian film lovers many of the movies that are currently available on DVD which previously screened during the Festival’s five years.
“Whistler is emerging as a real champion of the Canadian movie industry and Canadians’ growing interest in film and film culture,” said Rick Anderson, President and CEO of Zip.ca.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring a slice of the Whistler Festival to our growing national network of film, documentary and Canadian content lovers.”
Like Zip.ca - a service that offers a catalogue of 40,000+ unique titles and caters to movie, television, Canadian content and documentary lovers from across the country - the Whistler Film Festival views itself as a catalyst for the viability and sustainability of Canadian and world cinema.
“We are thrilled to have a sponsor like Zip.ca on board who truly values and understands the importance of showcasing and supporting emerging filmmakers in our country,” said Whistler Film Festival Director Shauna Hardy Mishaw.
Zip.ca is supporting artistic innovation and bringing the film festival experience and filmmakers to a larger audience through its sponsorship of Canadian film festivals.
In addition to providing backing for the Whistler Film Festival, Zip.ca stepped up to the plate in 2005 to offer festivals across the country access to their national audience of film lovers, including, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Atlantic Film Festival, the Calgary International Film Festival, Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, the NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival, the Victoria Film Festival and the Vancouver International Film Festival.
“These festivals are a great boost for the areas in which they’re hosted, as well for Canada’s film industry in general,” continued Zip.ca’s Rick Anderson.
“We’re pleased to do anything we can to further expose these regional celebrations of Canadian talent to a national audience, and to further Zip.ca’s mission of offering the most comprehensive video entertainment library in Canada.”
About Zip.ca: Zip.ca is Canada’s leading online video service, offering the largest selection, best service and best value in DVD rentals. Zip.ca offers Canada’s most extensive DVD library with over 40,000 titles and growing and the best prices for DVD rentals. Zip.ca provides members with 24/7 online convenience for creating and managing their own personal ZipLists of must-see DVDs, and daily delivers thousands of DVDs right to members’ doors across Canada. For a low monthly membership fee, Zip.ca provides unlimited DVD rentals, with no deadlines, no late fees and free two-way shipping.
DVDs can also be purchased at a discounted member price. Since opening its virtual doors to Canadian movie lovers on February 11, 2004, Zip.ca has shipped over three million rental DVDs to members. Based in Ottawa, Zip.ca is a member of the Momentous.ca family of online enterprises, providing customers with high-quality high-value online services.
About the Whistler Film Festival:
The Whistler Film Festival Society, a non-profit education and cultural organization incorporated under The Society Act of British Columbia, operates the Whistler Film Festival operates the Whistler Film Festival. The Society’s mandate is to encourage the development of arts and culture in Whistler; to support the art of cinema and the film industry and to provide an educational and entertaining environment for film enthusiasts and industry professionals. The festival is presented by American Express Global Establishment Services, division of Amex Canada, Inc.
For more information on Zip.ca, please visit www.zip.ca
Zip.ca Media Contacts:
Shelagh O’Connor
(613) 768-5144
shelagh@zip.ca
