What you need to know about the VIFF Venues
Hola yet again everyone,So you're booking your tickets for VIFF and planning the heck out of what to see. Now how about WHERE to see the films? Here be profiled the 10 screens at this year's VIFF with location and general info. I'll be updating this some more soon:
Granville 7 Cinemas: (Screen 7, now the VISA Screening Room, pictured at right)
Opened 1987 under Cineplex Odeon and as of 2005 run by Empire Theatres. Cinema is well known for being partly in the shell of an old hotel, a totally new centre piece and the old Coronet cinema which now houses two incredibly small auditoriums. One of the first THX certified cinemas in British Columbia and still retains certification on screens 2 and 7.
AKA: Ground Zero (Why? Ground Zero is the primo location for getting tickets, meeting friends, creating new conversations in line
Where: 855 Granville Street in the heart of the Granville Mall. Probably the easiest theatre to find in the city.
Seat Count and formats:
Screen 1: 294 seats - runs 35mm only
Screen 2: 340 - runs 35mm and various digital formats
Screen 3: 329 - runs 35mm only
Screen 4: 324 - runs 35mm only
Screen 5: 224 - runs various digital formats only (formerly the Coronet's orchestra seating)
Screen 6: 229 - runs 35mm only (formerly the Coronet's balcony seating)
Screen 7: 664 - runs 35mm and various digital formats
Tips: Try to plan as much of your filmgoing at this cinema as possible. Most of the screenings at VIFF this year have at least one show scheduled at Ground Zero. Also, there is a large mezzanine with a Starbucks kiosk and tables set up for inbetween-screening hangouts and to stay out of the rain.
Pacific Cinematheque - More Photos
1131 Howe St.
Seat Count: 210 seats
Formats: 35mm, 16mm and various digital formats. Also one of the media screening locations.
Distance from Ground Zero: 5-8 minute walk south on Granville a few blocks, then walk west to Howe St. Across the street from the Holiday Inn Downtown.
Tip: Plan carefully if you plan to see movies here and Granville on the same day.
Vancity Theatre & The Vancouver International Film Centre
1181 Seymour
Opened in 2005 prior to that year's VIFF.
Seat Count: 175 seats (120 orchestra, 55 balcony)
Stadium seating, large double arm-rest seats imported from France. "Most comfy seats in town", remarks the website and program guides, and they're right!
Formats: 35mm, 16mm and all digital formats; venue is also one of the media screening locations.
Distance from Ground Zero: Roughly 8-10 minute walk on foot. Walk south on Granville to roughly Davie street, then walk east to the film centre.
Tip: If you can plan to see a movie here, go for the seats.
Ridge Theatre
16th and Arbutus
Opened in 1950; under new management in December 2005; new high-back seats installed.
Seat Count: 474 seats (formerly 830 seats)
Formats: 35mm only until 2005; possible addition of a digital projector for VIFF 2006.
Distance from Ground Zero: a lengthy walk. Best bet is to catch the 16 Arbutus bus from Howe St. which will take you directly to the cinema, or catch the 17 UBC and walk a few blocks from Arbutus and Broadway.
Tips: If you're planning a full day of screenings, try to avoid screening movies here unless you plan to do both matinee or evening shows and stay in the cinema. The buses are infrequent and driving back downtown can be a drag, especially if you're going to go to a second matinee or evening show.
Jason
efilmcritic.com
posted by Jason Whyte @ 5:05 PM
2 Comments:
Great rundown on the venues! Do you know if any of them offer wifi? Or if there are places close by that provide (preferably free) wireless internet?
And another suggestion: how about a post that details eating options within a short hop of the various venues? Really enjoying your blog in the lead up to the festival. I look forward to seeing more!
Hi Bryan,
Sorry for my late response. VIFF has been eating up all of my late time. I plan to up some blog posts in the next day or so.
WIFI-wise, apparently last year a few people got a signal from the Commodore across the street, although I couldn't hit up a signal. If you can get your laptop up and running in Ground Zero's mezzanine, you might be able to pick up something.
If you're up for a coffee, try one of the Blenz's on Granville or Seattle's Best Coffee. I'm pretty sure they have a open network there. Starbucks is HotSpot, so forget about free when you're buying your $4 coffee.
Food-wise, it really depends on what you're looking to spend. As a starving, 26 year old aspiring filmmaker, I recommend the dollar-to-a-buck-fifty pizza stores all along Granville. Try the one across from the Skybar on Smithe which offers slices for $1. I also dig Numbero Uno a few blocks from Ground zero.
Burger King across the street from Ground Zero has pretty good eats (daily meal deals) and fast service, the Taco Bell Cantina is AMAZING if you want to have a pause between screenings, a Falafel house on Granville and Smithe that I have been told is good (never tried it myself) and there's also the food court at the Pacific Centre Mall (which I recommend going through the Sears and the mall rather than deal with construction on Granville).
There are also plenty of restaurants and sit-down gigs if you're up for spending a few dollars more. For drinks, stop on by Kingston's near the corner of Richards and W. Georgia which is the official VIFF Group watering hole.
Failing all of that, 7-11 on the corner of Gran and Robson has cheap and quick munchies, and i only recommend their chili-and-cheese hot dogs when you're drunk.
Hope to see you at the fest!
Jason
jasonwhyte@efilmcritic.com
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