Next year's Whistler Film Festival is already guaranteed to be even better. Why? The festival announced on December 8 that Whistler's Rainbow Theatre, one of several venues used by the festival, will undergo a digital cinema system upgrade to be completed by March 2014.

Funding for the installation will be provided by the Resort Municipality of Whistler ($500,000) while Tourism Whistler will provide $40,000 to renovate the auditorium.

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, with additional support will be provided by Christie Digital Systems and Zoom Audio Visual Networks, will provide $160,000 to help the WFF purchase an advanced digital cinema system.

Renovations will begin in mid-December and will include work on acoustic panels, ceiling tiles, lighting, staging, carpets, seats, and audio-visual equipment.

The upgrades will provide a longterm venue for the WFF as well as provide improved screenings year-round. The WFF Society has signed an agreement with Tourism Whistler that will allow it to use the theatre for the next decade, with an option for another 10 years after that, and to install and retain ownership of the digital cinema system.

The Movie Theatre Association of Canada will also make use of the upgrades when it holds its annual ShowCanada convention in Whistler from June 3 to 5, 2014.

The 2013 edition of the festival wrapped up its five-day run on December 8.