The Whistler Film Festival is commonly known for featuring independent films, and providing networking and career development opportunities during the five days of the festival. But this year, they’ve added a new event to their schedule to commemorate the life and achievements of the 44-year-old Canadian film producer, William Vince, who lost his fight with cancer in June.
Throughout his career, Vancouver-born Vince produced over 35 feature films, including the 2006 Oscar-nominated Capote, and contributed immensely to the B.C. film industry through his dedicated mentorship of emerging talent.
“Bill loved his work and had an endless passion for it. His vision touched so many of us in this industry,” Rob Merilees of Infinity Features said in a recent press release. “All of us at Infinity are delighted to be a part of this wonderful tribute to Bill at the Whistler Film Festival this year. I feel it will be a great night remembering and paying tribute to an amazing producer and friend.”
The Whistler Film Festival will host a special memorial tribute, Celebrating William Vince, on Friday, Dec. 5 from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the Telus Conference Centre. The evening will include clips of classic Vince moments, and on-stage recollections from friends and colleagues.
Canadian-born director, producer, and Oscar-winning screenwriter Roger Avary (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, The Rules of Attraction, Bewoulf), American writer and film director, Roger Kumble (Cruel Intentions, Just Friends, College Road Trip) and Canadian-born actor and producer, Barry Pepper, (The Snow Walker, Saving Private Ryan, Enemy of the State, The Green Mile) will be in attendance at the memorial, which is followed by a special screening of Stone of Destiny at Village 8 Cinemas.
“The Whistler Film Festival is honoured to be the host of this special tribute to William Vince, whose work in so many ways remains an inspiration to us all,” festival director Shauna Mishaw Hardy said in a recent press release.
Tickets to the memorial can be purchased online at www.whistlerfilmfestival.com , with 50 per cent of proceeds donated to the British Columbia Film Foundation, with matching funds from B.C. Film going towards the development of the William Vince Scholarship Fund.
The history of Hollyburn
While Whistler is a fantastic place to ski, shred, snowshoe, bike, and explore, it certainly isn’t the only outdoor hotspot in B.C., and there’s a new book coming out to remind people about one of the province’s richest recreational resources — Hollyburn.
This forested mountainous area perched above West Vancouver is rich in history and culture, starting with the First Nations people who tapped into the natural resources up until the 1870s, when loggers came onto the scene, and followed by the skiers and outdoor enthusiasts of the earth 20 th century.
Francis Mansbridge, a scholar and archivist from North Vancouver, has captured the spirit and history of the area in Hollyburn: The Mountain and The City, published by Ronsdale Press.
The book will be launched at the West Vancouver Memorial Library on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
Funny facts and figures
A popular CBC radio personality will visit Whistler’s new public library on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. to introduce his new book, Old Father William’s Well-Ordered Universe.
The collection contains some impressive and little-known facts and figures that are specially designed to captivate the bathroom-bound reader.
For example: “Did you know… that Keith Richards and George Bernard Shaw were both damaged when they fell from trees, that Prince Phillip and John Holmes, the star of over 2,000 pornographic movies, were both born on the kitchen table and that Mr. Harley and Mr. Davidson invented their motorcycles in a tool shed…”
Richardson has authored more than a dozen books, has received the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, and currently hosts the Saturday Afternoon at the Opera and Sunday Afternoon in Concert programs on CBC Radio Two.
Readying for WinterPRIDE 2009
Canada’s biggest and best gay ski week may not be for another few months, but people can snag their tickets online, now.
Prices range from $50 for the Women’s party and snowball bundle, to $389 for a seven-day WinterPRIDE pass.
Early bird pricing is available until Nov. 15. Visit
www.gaywhistler.com
for more information.
Don’t miss out on…
Whistler’s official art party, ARTrageous, takes place tonight, Thursday, Nov. 6, at Dusty’s from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m., and the theme is the Evolution of Art (pop art, abstract, expressionism — anything goes!).
Raise your glasses, and a paintbrush, to celebrate our local art scene alongside fellow artists and art lovers alike. Feel free to channel your favourite artist, as well — come dressed as Dali, Renoir, Warhol or any other creative soul under the sun!
Tickets are $15 for members of the Whistler Arts Council, or $30 for non-members, or groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $20 apiece at the Arts Council’s office.
