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RBC's Emerging Artist Bursary Program recognizes Deepa Mehta
with $25,000 donation to TIFF® Talent LabMehta commemorates donation with T-Shirt design
TORONTO, September 10, 2008 — RBC today announced
a $25,000 donation to the Toronto International Film Festival
Talent Lab in appreciation of Deepa Mehta's contribution to
Canadian filmmaking. In recognition of the donation made through
the new RBC Emerging Artist Bursary program, Ms. Mehta has
designed a commemorative limited edition Talent Lab T-Shirt
that will be available through RBC in-branch contests as well
as to RBC customers at key TIFF sites throughout the Festival.
"RBC's donation will provide resources and programs
that will help the next generation of Canadian filmmakers
succeed. I was excited to create a commemorative Talent-Lab
T-Shirt as it was a departure from my normal responsibilities
as a filmmaker, yet still an opportunity to be creative for
something I strongly believe in. The camera design symbolizes
the unity of TIFF and RBC coming together to create an opportunity
to inspire emerging filmmakers, while the rays represent the
infinite capacity of filmmakers to create and grow,"
said Deepa Mehta, film director and screenwriter.
RBC's $25,000 contribution to the TIFF Talent Lab makes possible
the introduction of the Talent Lab Mentorship Program, and
is in addition to its annual gift of $10,000 for emerging
artists. Selected by a jury of industry experts, one fortunate
filmmaker from the 2008 Talent Lab will have the unique opportunity
to apprentice along side a respected filmmaker who holds the
distinction of being a former Talent Lab Guest or Governor.
Also jury-selected, the Mentorship program will choose a 2008
Talent Lab participant to attend an international market-focused
film festival as an accredited industry member, mentored by
an attending TIFFG employee, a Talent Lab Producer, or internationally
known director or producer working on their current production.
The new RBC Emerging Artist Bursary embodies RBC's continued
legacy for supporting emerging artists in Canada. The new
bursary will be presented annually to help Canadian filmmakers
from across the country participate in Toronto International
Film Festival Group industry programs. "We are proud
to recognize Deepa Mehta as a passionate supporter for Canadian
film and filmmakers," said Jennifer Tory, RBC's regional
president for Greater Toronto. "Deepa's generous gift
of the T-Shirt design brings to life her vision of the Talent
Lab as a source of knowledge and inspiration for aspiring
filmmakers."
This year's Talent Lab hosts 24 emerging filmmakers, as selected
from 160 applicants by a jury of industry experts. The TIFF
Talent Lab is a four-day intensive program offering artistic-development
opportunities to emerging filmmakers. Talent Lab participants
build networks and learn from some of the most esteemed film
artists in the world. This year Talent Lab Governors include:
Canadian director Don McKellar; French director, Olivier Assayas,
London, U.K. producer Stephen Woolley, and New Zealand director
Allison MacLean.
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
Currently under construction in downtown Toronto, Bell Lightbox
is soon to be the world's leading destination for film lovers.
This major new cultural institution on the Canadian and international
landscape will be structured around five state-of-the-art
cinemas celebrating film from around the world. Bell Lightbox
programming will give context to films through innovative
cross-media exhibitions, lectures, and film-related learning
opportunities for all ages. Designed by innovative architecture
firm KPMB, Bell Lightbox's fluid design encourages exploration,
movement and play within its soaring atriums.
The campaign to build Bell Lightbox is generously supported
by founding sponsor Bell. The Government of Canada and the
Government of Ontario each have contributed $25 million to
realize Bell Lightbox. A gift of more than $22 million has
been confirmed from the Reitman family - acclaimed filmmaker
Ivan Reitman and his sisters Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels
- and The Daniels Corporation, who together form the King
and John Festival Corporation. The project is also supported
by RBC as Major Sponsor and Official Bank, Visa†, Copyright
Collective of Canada, NBC Universal Canada, The Allan Slaight
Family, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, CIBC, and
many other individuals and corporations. The Board of Directors,
staff and many generous individuals have also contributed
to the campaign. The total amount raised to date is $147 million,
three quarters of the total campaign of $196 million. For
more information on the Bell Lightbox campaign, visit belllightbox.ca
We are a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization
whose mission is to transform the way people see the world
through film. Our vision is to lead the world in creative
and cultural discovery through the moving image.
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Media contact:
Beja Rodeck,
Director, RBC, Media Relations, 416-974-5506, beja.rodeck@rbc.com
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