Vancouver Sun
Lionsgate founder and noted philanthropist Frank Giustra will be honoured with a special award during this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival.
Giustra will be given the first VIFF Screen Industry Builder Award, sponsored by BC Creates, during a presentation hosted by the Vancouver Board of Trade on Oct. 1.
The award is meant to “recognize individuals who have greatly contributed to the success of British Columbia’s creative industries, have elevated the international profile of British Columbia as a destination for excellence, and support the development and advancement of the local economy,” a press release said.
“As a creator, visionary and savvy businessman with interests in film, philanthropy and British Columbia as a destination for innovation, Frank Giustra is the ideal inaugural honouree for VIFF’s Screen Industry Builder Awards,” VIFF executive director Jacqueline Dupuis said in the press release.
“We are thrilled to be working in collaboration with BC Creates on an initiative that will build a foundation upon which to profile BC’s global leadership in the screen-based media sector.”
Beyond founding Lionsgate Entertainment, Giustra is also a majority shareholder of Thunderbird Films. He founded Fiore Music and Westsonic Music Inc. in 2014, through which he composes lyrics for music of all genres. His philanthropic ventures include the International Crisis Group and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership, co-founded in 2007 with former president Bill Clinton.
“Film and television have always been great passions of mine,” Giustra said in the release, “and to receive this inaugural VIFF Screen Industry Builder Award in my hometown is a special honour that I will share with the people who have worked with me throughout the years to achieve great things in the industry.”
Tickets for the award presentation go on sale Friday, Aug. 14 via viff.org.
The 34th edition of the Vancouver International Film Festival takes place Sept. 24 to Oct. 9.