Capilano University receives a $6 million donation to support its Centre for Film and Animation

(NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.) – Capilano University today announced that it has received the largest private donation in its 42-year history with a $6 million gift from Nat and Flora Bosa. The money will support the University’s new Centre for Film and Animation, scheduled to open in 2011.

This recent contribution will enable Capilano University to fully equip phase one of the centre and begin phase two, which is the dedicated animation wing.

“We are extremely grateful to Nat and Flora Bosa for their generous donation that will benefit our students and instructors in the learning and teaching process,” said Capilano University president and vice-chancellor, Dr. Greg Lee. “Our vision through the centre is to create a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial filmmakers who will become part of the foundation of a broader, more sustainable base of domestic and international film production.”

The gift, along with the university’s recently announced new degree in Motion Picture Arts, ensures that students will have continued access to quality instruction by film and animation industry professionals. It will also allow them to graduate with the full-spectrum of requisite skills in the creative and technical areas, along with business and entrepreneurial abilities.

“This funding will support the creation of a facility that provides students with every tool needed for creating excellence in their productions, both live-action and animated,” said Bill Thumm, director of the centre. “Some of these tools include High Definition and 3-D filmmaking equipment, a 200-seat high definition/3D theatre, industry-standard sound mixing and recording studios, an 8,000 square foot sound stage, picture editing labs, sound editing labs, digital and commercial animation labs, a teaching studio for cinematography, costuming studios, and two Visual Effects labs.”

Nat Bosa has an international reputation as a development industry leader, built through a commitment to forward thinking, integrity and quality. He and his wife, Flora, are also well-known for their philanthropy and generous assistance of organizations – from a downtown San Diego school serving the homeless and at risk children to their generous and ongoing support of the arts.

“I am very committed to supporting education,” said Bosa, who immigrated to Vancouver from Italy at age 13. “It is my belief that we have all the talent in the world here, and that if we nurture that talent with the proper training and technology, students will flourish.”

Capilano’s first chancellor, Peter Ufford, emphasized the important roles that both government and members of the private sector play in enabling the future success of students.

“I want to commend Nat and Flora Bosa, as well as the governments of B.C. and Canada, for their most generous support of this new Centre for Film and Animation,” he said. “As Capilano continues its transition from a 40-year-old college to that of a new teaching-focused university, we are greatly encouraged by this demonstration of confidence in our institution. It serves as a leading example for those who are considering contributing to the new centre and other deserving expansion projects at all three of the university’s campuses.”

Capilano University has been a major player for many years in providing the education and real-world training necessary to build British Columbia’s thriving film and animation industries. The new Centre for Film and Animation will be one of the top film and animation teaching facilities in all of North America and a cornerstone for young talented filmmakers to learn and maintain B.C.’s position as a leader in this industry.

“This is an industry that employs 35,000 people and injects up to $2 billion annually into the provincial economy,” said Peter Leitch, president of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of B.C. “Capilano University’s film and animation programs are essential to the industry’s growth. I am very excited about the Bosa family’s commitment to support the education of the next generation of Canadian film professionals.”

Capilano University serves the communities of Metro Vancouver, Howe Sound, and the Sunshine Coast through campuses in North Vancouver, Squamish and Sechelt. Enrolment totals 6,700 students in credit programs each term with an additional 7,000 people taking non-credit courses annually. Capilano offers a complete range of preparatory courses, university transfer courses, business and management studies, creative and applied arts programs, health and human services programs, plus a range of services in support of student learning and success. Credentials awarded include bachelor degrees, associate degrees, post-baccalaureate diplomas, advanced diplomas, diplomas, certificates and statements of completion. It was established in 1968 as Capilano College and was redesignated a university by the provincial government in 2008.