While numerous film festivals have been facing provincial arts-funding cuts, Richmond Arts Centre coordinator Camyar Chaichian told the Straight that the city sees cultural events like the third annual New Asia Film Festival (May 27 to 30) as integral to civic development. In fact, he stated that the City of Richmond doesn’t plan on cutting back but rather “increasing our support of this particular festival”.

Although several Asian-themed festivals exist in Vancouver, he emphasized that the New Asia Film Festival, which includes films from Asian and Asian Canadian filmmakers, is one that Richmond can call its own.

“One of the reasons that Richmond is partnering with Cinevolution Media Arts Society to produce this festival is we don’t ever want it to move from Richmond. We want it to grow here,” he said by phone. “There’s a big push in Richmond right now to really increase the level of the arts, so much so that on the city hall level, arts and culture was taken out of parks and recreation and put into community development. And there’s a serious interest from Richmond council and the mayor to change Richmond from a gateway city to a location city that’s recognized worldwide, and they’re very sensitive and respectful of how important a role the arts play in creating that environment.”