Film and media students are the beneficiaries of a long-term friendship between Leonard Schein, President, Festival Cinemas, and Susan Lord, Head, Department of Film and Media. Mr. Schein, who is also the father of biology alumna, Alison Schein, has established a fund for the Visiting Artist in Screen Culture in Film and Media Studies.
"This is a generous show of support by Leonard Schein. His gift will allow film and media students direct access to internationally renowned filmmakers and digital media artists," says Dr. Lord.
Mr. Schein's influence on the Vancouver film industry is legendary. He founded the Vancouver International Film Festival and is now founder and president of Festival Cinemas, which operates a number of independent theatres in the city. His strong social conscience is revealed by his work on various social and health agencies, including the Coast Mental Health Foundation, Ecojustice Canada, Inspire Health Society and the Canadian Cancer Society.
"The visiting artist will be a huge boost to the learning
environment in film and media studies."
In the early 1980s, Schein employed Simon Fraser University undergraduate English literature student Susan Lord at his Ridge Theatre in Vancouver. Looking back, Dr. Lord attributes her part-time job at the Ridge Theatre with her move from literature to film.
The Visiting Artist in Screen Culture in Film and Media Studieswill support the costs of bringing Canadian and international filmmakers and digital media artists to Queen's and to the Kingston community, to share their work and experience in media arts, world cinema and cultural history.
"The visiting artist will spend time with students, present their work at public screenings, and be involved community events held at [Kingston independent cinema house] The Screening Room," says Dr. Lord. "The visiting artist will be a huge boost to the learning environment in film and media studies."
She adds that this is a great opportunity to showcase the Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts, where the department now resides. "We can bring international film professionals to this wonderful building and share their work and our students’ work with the community."
