UPS in Starring Role at Vancouver International Film Festival

Mississagua, September 30, 2009

UPS named official courier of VIFF for third consecutive year

If anyone knows how critical it is that the show must go on, it's UPS. For the third consecutive year, UPS has been named the official courier of the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF). UPS's key responsibility will be to ensure that the 377 films, from more than 70 countries, will arrive and depart the festival on time.

"It's no small feat managing the delivery of such precious cargo for the Vancouver International Film Festival, and we're honoured to offer our services for the task," said Mike Tierney, president, UPS Canada. "We're proud to be involved with such an important part of Canada's arts and entertainment scene, and we're committed to getting the job done right – and on time."

En route via UPS, the films for VIFF will travel around the world by boat, plane and ground in order to make it to the festival on time. UPS will deliver films like Japan's Toad's Oil, an Awards Gala screening that wraps up the festival's big Dragons & Tigers: The Cinemas of East Asia program. Toad's Oil, a film by the renowned actor-turned-director Yakusho Koji, began its trip to the festival by air from Tokyo, stopping at Narita, Japan; Anchorage, Alaska; Louisville, Kentucky; and Seattle, Washington; before being trucked across the border to Vancouver in time for its screening.

VIFF organizers use several UPS services to arrange the shipping of the films to the festival, as well as those departing for other festivals following VIFF. Specifically, UPS Quantum View®, which VIFF uses to manage shipments online. With UPS Quantum View, VIFF is able to monitor which films are coming in, the estimated time of delivery and any duty or taxes. With its ability to help multiple users manage shipping to and from various locations, while billing to one central location, UPS CampusShip® lets VIFF stay on top of films that need to be shipped to other locations once the festival has wrapped up.

In addition to ensuring prompt, safe delivery of the films for VIFF, UPS is also supporting the festival's 700-person volunteer crew, which is the lifeblood of the festival, leading many of the event's activities.

"The Vancouver International Film Festival would not be possible without the timely arrival of the films and the assistance of our volunteers," said Betty Verkuil, director of development and communications for VIFF. "We want to thank UPS and all of the dedicated volunteers who consistently help to make this event such a success."