Welcome to Pacific Cinematheque’s first blog posting! This is the source for all things Cinematheque beyond our regular screenings, so stay tuned for insider information on special events, promotions and news.

What better a topic then our biggest party of the year to kick things off? We have three weeks to go before we roll out the red carpet for SCENE, our second annual fundraiser taking place at Canvas Lounge on Thursday, November 19th. The office is a buzz with event preparation and new this year, we are excited be part of MPPIA’s Motion Picture Week, making SCENE a true celebration for the Vancouver film community. Our MC’s for the evening include our man about town, CBC’s Fred Lee and Canwest film critic, Katherine Monk.

In addition to great hosts, great food (like beef short rib sandwiches on homemade brioche buns!) and fabulous cocktails, guests will have the opportunity to get behind and in front of the camera with a make your own one-minute silent film activity. Green screen and all, guests use props and “act” in front of a variety of black and white clips. Think runaway trains, dark alleyways and film noir-like offices. We certainly had some talented folks last year and I can’t wait to see what 2009 brings.

One of the biggest draws of the event is the silent auction and a number of items have poured in this week including a painting by Vancouver artist Tiko Kerr. No doubt a bidding frenzy will ensue for a Kerr original as well as for the autographed copy of the book “New Moon” from the Twilight Series signed by Robert Pattison and Kristen Stewart. There will be many items to bid on but I currently have my eye on the Vancouver Opera tickets to “Nixon in China.”

Tickets to the fundraiser are $95 each. Proceeds support the Cinematheque and a portion of the ticket is tax receiptable. Please contact me directly if you would like to purchase one. It’s a great party and we would love to have you there!