The DRIFF 2022 Fall Festival was made possible with support from the Government of Canada through the Tourism Relief Fund.
for immediate release:
Government of Canada supports the Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) through the Tourism Relief Fund
DRIFF receives over $62,000 from Central Counties Tourism through FedDev Ontario to attract visitors and support future growth
DECEMBER 6, 2022 - Whitby, ON - The tourism sector is vital to the economy and jobs in the Durham Region. The Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) offers cultural experiences that not only draw tourists to the Region for its festival, but also into Durham’s cities and towns. DRIFF organizers know that Durham Region residents often see themselves as tourists of the region by recognizing both cultural activities and hospitality opportunities where they live.
Today, DRIFF received a non-repayable contribution of $62,740 from Central Counties Tourism (RTO6) to significantly increase programming and marketing opportunities. This is part of the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Central Counties Tourism received $8.65 million from FedDev Ontario to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.
This investment will help the Durham Region International Film Festival adapt and recover to attract new visitors and drive economic growth in the Durham Region.
Quotes
“Our government is happy to invest $78 million through the Tourism Relief Fund to help communities across southern Ontario rejuvenate local tourist attractions. With this funding, southern Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organizations and Indigenous Tourism Ontario are providing hundreds of local businesses and organizations with the support they need to create jobs, attract more visitors and grow local economies, now and into the future.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“We are grateful to FedDev Ontario for funds that have enhanced DRIFF’s reach into the communities of Durham. Our ability to increase cultural engagement in the area through our signature three-day festival, an afternoon program of short films, and improved marketing opportunities, has been made possible through this program.”
- Greg Murphy, DRIFF Chair
“The visitor economy creates thriving, vibrant communities across Ontario. Visitors bring new money into a community and for many businesses in York, Durham and Headwaters, these additional revenues can mean the difference between staying solvent and having to shutter their doors forever. Central Counties Tourism applauds the Government of Canada for recognizing the importance of growing our collective capacity to welcome and entertain visitors. Its investment in tourism is helping municipalities and individual businesses build compelling destinations that will attract visitors and residents alike. The economic impact from the Tourism Relief Fund will be felt for years.”
- Chuck Thibeault, Executive Director, Central Counties Tourism
Quick facts
DRIFF is dedicated to promoting arts, culture and community across the Durham Region. The festival showcases great films, but puts an emphasis on community involvement.
Program offerings have included an annual film festival, monthly DRIFF in a Jiff shorts programs, and outdoor drive-in film screenings.
DRIFF also collaborates with local secondary schools to bring an exclusive program of films catered to the high school student population so they can take part in the cinematic experience. These screenings are open to schools in the Durham District School Board (DDSB).
Central Counties Tourism not-for-profit regional tourism organization is funded by the Ontario Government and responsible for supporting more than 2,000 tourism-related business in the York, Durham and Headwaters regions through the promotion and development of unique and competitive tourism products that attract high-yield visitors from outside the Central Counties region.
The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario.
Associated Links
Contacts
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
Laurie Turner
Communications Lead
Durham Region International Film Festival
laurie@driff.ca
www.driff.ca | @catchthedriff
Chuck Thibeault
Executive Director
Central Counties Tourism
cthibeault@centralcounties.ca
About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the Durham Region International Film Festival
DRIFF is a not-for-profit film festival rooted in the communities of Durham. DRIFF will engage a diverse network of audiences, filmmakers, and collaborators to promote film as a form of creative expression and a catalyst for community building. Find out more at driff.ca.
About Central Counties Tourism
Central Counties Tourism was established as a regional tourism organization in 2010 under a framework developed by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, following the completion of the Ontario Tourism Competitiveness Study. Our mandate is to identify sustainable best product and practices that will build a stronger and more competitive tourism industry within the region. We are funded by the Ontario Government and managed as a not-for-profit organization by a voluntary tourism industry board. Learn more at centralcounties.ca.
