NATIONAL: Film Independent has partnered with virtual venue Looped to power and produce the first ever virtual Film Independent Spirit Awards on April 22. Virtual attendees will watch the ceremony from a digital re-creation of the event's signature beach tent, which will include a curated cocktail hour and a karaoke-filled after-party. The 36th annual Spirit Awards will be hosted by Saturday Night Live’s Melissa Villaseñor and broadcast live exclusively on IFC and AMC+.
CALGARY: Betty’s Run for ALS will take place as a virtual event on June 13. The 25-year-old event aims to celebrate, promote and channel hope for those affected with ALS; it was created by Calgarian Betty Norman, who passed away two weeks after the inaugural edition in 1997. Since the first run, participants have raised more than $8.1 million.
MONTREAL: The Fantasia International Film Festival will host its 25th edition from Aug. 5-25. Organizers are planning on a virtual format but hope to add some small, in-person events to the lineup. Last summer’s virtual edition drew 85,000 attendees for 104 screenings.
TORONTO: AfroWaveTO will host an inaugural festival with performances from 20 local rap, R&B, reggae, Afrobeats, dancehall and reggaeton artists. The free, virtual event takes place April 24, and is headlined by Juno Award winners Exco Levi and Kirk Diamond.
VANCOUVER: The Vancouver Convention Centre opened as a COVID-19 vaccination site on March 29. Operated by Vancouver Coastal Health, the vaccination clinic is part of a new partnership with the Government of British Columbia that will employ venues and workers from across the province's tourism, hospitality and sports sectors.
BizBash Buzz is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: bizbash.com/bizbashbuzz
Advertise with BizBash: [email protected]
