Whistler Film Festival charity funds will go towards the poorest youth communities in Haiti.
The 12th annual festival, on now (November 28 – December 2, 2012) in Whistler Village, is hosting a series of benefits called Film Lovers Unite, the proceeds of which will go towards a group called Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ), which supports struggling communities in Haiti.
Founded by award-winning Canadian screenwriter and filmmaker Paul Haggis to encourage peace and social justice and address issues of poverty around the world, the immediate goal of APJ is to raise funds to serve the poorest communities in Haiti with programs in health, education and dignity, and specifically those for children. Festivalgoers will see messages from Paul Haggis and APJ Board member Olivia Wilde at screenings and the benefit events.
“As the world’s attention has largely shifted from Haiti to other places in need, we at Artists for Peace and Justice are constantly reminding people that solutions to poverty require sustained commitment. Nothing is fixed overnight,” says Artists for Peace and Justice CEO David Belle. “We couldn’t be more proud and grateful of Whistler Film Festival’s support for APJ and the children of Haiti, who deserve an equal chance at success.”
Artists for Peace and Justice Board member, George Stroumboulopoulos is attending the Whistler Film Festival as the host of two of the benefit events, the VIP Cocktail Party and Benefit Dinner. Proceeds will support Artists for Peace and Justice’s free high- school and college serving Haiti’s underprivileged youth.
For info: www.whistlerfilmfestival.com
Photo courtesy of Tourism Whistler.
SnowOnline editor: Lori Knowles
