Vancouver International Film Centre transformed by $2.8M renovation (PHOTOS)

Screenings for the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) kickoff Thursday at VanCity theatre – except moviegoers might not recognize the centre they’ve grown accustomed to over the past 15 years.

"Virtually every surface in the atrium is new,” explained Vancouver International Film Centre (VIFC) programmer Tom Charity, about ta $2.8-million renovation the building underwent during a recent closure.

“The flooring has been redone, the walls, the pillars that hold up the building have been stripped and refinished,” elaborated Charity.

“It’s a night and day difference.”

As a programmer, Charity said he’s long been frustrated by having “a single screen” for people to watch films on.

The creation of a second theatre will allow 41 more people to sit inside and watch movies. 

Photo: Visual rendering of the new VIFC Studio Theatre

Funded by $1.4-million from the Canadian Cultural Spaces federal grant, the Studio Theatre was built with utility in mind – as it doubles as a multi-use presentation space when the seats retract and a wall is removed.

“We can use the area for networking events and parties,” added Charity, about the space which was formerly a 2,400-square-foot atrium containing a cafe.

Consequently, the food and drink space was relocated to another area of the atrium. It fosters a new look, with comfortable seating and a revitalized menu.

Photo: Visual rendering of the new VIFC Education Suite

VIFC's upstairs has also gotten a “complete facelift,” said Charity, with the creation of a 500-square-foot Education Suite in place of "an old office."

“We plan to use it to house our Catalyst Mentorship program students and when we invite school groups,” the programmer added.

Photo: Visual rendering of the outside of the new VIFC New Media Lab

Further down the balcony, a New Media Lab lounge will host virtual-reality and augmented-reality programming, allowing the VIFC to present VR and AR content to emerging audiences.

Additionally, a new wood feature was installed, spanning the length of the second-floor balcony. It is visible from outside VIFC.

“I'm really thrilled with where we ended up,” Charity said.

“I’m excited to open it up to the public on Thursday.”

Thursday night, Sept. 24, will see VIFF premiere “Monkey Beach” at Vancouver's VanCity, Rio, and the Cinematheque theatres.