Reitman Family And The Daniels Corporation Gift To Toronto International Film Festival Group For Bell Lightbox Exceeds $22 Million

Thursday, 13 September 2007

Piers Handling today confirmed a gift of more than $22 million from the Reitman family and The Daniels Corporation, who together form the King and John Festival Corporation (KJFC). KJFC is comprised of acclaimed filmmaker Ivan Reitman, his sisters Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels, with The Daniels Corporation. KJFC has been co-developing the project for the Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) since 2002.

The gift relates to the value of the land and management fees to develop and construct the building. Design drawings for the building have now been completed allowing TIFFG and Daniels, who is managing the construction process, to determine the value of the gift. The full value of the gift will be assessed upon completion of the building. The amount of $22 million is reflected in our existing total funds raised to date of $137 million.

“Quite simply, we would not have a new home on the horizon were it not for the generosity of these people,” stated Piers Handling, Director and CEO, Toronto International Film Festival Group. “We went to the marketplace five years ago with very stringent criteria for success for Bell Lightbox: great location, accessibility to public transportation, street presence, and an affinity for the charitable message and vision of TIFFG. Only one presentation came forward with all this and a significant gift as well and that was Ivan, his family and The Daniels Corporation”.

“Our father had a vision for this piece of land many years ago,” said Ivan Reitman. “My sisters and I are honouring our parents Leslie and Clara Reitman with our association with TIFFG on this historic site in the heart of one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. And with Bell Lightbox, it’s only going to get better”.

“As our Chair John Daniels was one of the first philanthropic donors to the Festival in 1976, it is fitting that The Daniels Corporation is playing a key role in the development of the Group’s new home,” explained Daniels’ President, Mitchell Cohen. “We believe in this organization and their educational mission and are thrilled to be a part of something so vital and important for the city of Toronto.”

TIFFG’s capital project to build Bell Lightbox is generously supported by founding sponsor Bell, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario who have each contributed $25 million, and a number of other individuals and corporations including but not limited to CIBC, The Copyright Collective of Canada, NBC Universal Canada, VISA, Allan Slaight and family, Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, the TIFFG Board of Directors and our staff. Total raised to date is $137 million, two thirds of the total campaign of the $196 million, which includes capital funds for the building, an endowment fund, and ongoing operating funds.

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Polls

I choose to shoot in Canada because of ...

	Geography
	Qualified Crews & Talent
	Tax Credits
	Exchange Rate
	Regional Film Incentives

Advertiser links Media NewsWire
Press Releases, Corporate News and Announcements are presented to the wide audience of the film, TV and new media professionals, editors, journalists and reporters that write about the subject of your press release.

Encyclopedia PRO
A broad range of reference materials and data on Film, Video and Audio Technologies, Motion Picture Production and Distribution, Entertainment Industry, Business & Financing, Media Law, World Cinema and more. The sections are hierarchically arranged by subject – from broad to specific.