The Cinematheque

History and Founding

The Cinematheque (legal name: Pacific Cinémathèque Pacifique) was incorporated as a non-profit society in the Province of British Columbia in August 1972. Its founding emerged from the vibrant avant-garde and alternative arts scene of late 1960s Vancouver, centered on the Intermedia Society. Kirk Tougas, a Vancouver filmmaker and film programmer, organized regular screenings at the Vancouver Art Gallery from 1971 with support from the National Film Board of Canada. Tougas served as the first director until 1980. In 1986, the organization moved to its current location at 1131 Howe Street in downtown Vancouver. In 2012, the organization adopted the name The Cinematheque (previously Pacific Cinematheque). Kate Ladyshewsky has served as Executive Director since March 2022, and Shaun Inouye as Artistic Director.

Collections and Holdings

The Cinematheque maintains a Film Reference Library housing thousands of film-related books and periodicals accessible to the public for consultation. Its West Coast Film Archive holds approximately 2,000 motion pictures in 16mm and 35mm prints, including a historically significant core collection of several hundred British Columbian works from 1968 to 1978—the period of the first major wave of independent and avant-garde filmmaking in Vancouver. Artists represented include David Rimmer, Al Razutis, Sandy Wilson, Sturla Gunnarsson, and Kirk Tougas.

Notable Materials Related to Journalism and Media

The Film Reference Library and West Coast Film Archive contain materials documenting the history of Canadian cinema, film criticism, and media culture. The archive preserves films by West Coast documentary and experimental filmmakers of historical significance.

Access and Usage

The Cinematheque presents over 500 curated film screenings annually in its 153-seat cinema, featuring retrospectives of major directors, international touring exhibitions, new Canadian films, and restorations of world cinema classics. The Film Reference Library is accessible for public consultation. Membership is available but not required for screenings. The Cinematheque also hosts major Vancouver film festivals including VIFF and DOXA.