The cinema in York’s Accolade East Building boasts a new name: The Price Family Cinema.
After years of volunteer and financial leadership, Tim and Frances Price have lent their names to the state-of-the-art facility, one of the best-equipped in the Greater Toronto Area.
A dinner and reception to celebrate the dedication of the cinema in honour of the family was held on March 19, in the Grant Strate Studio, Accolade East Building. York President & Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden described the importance of the 500-seat cinema to the University. “Almost everything at York is used for many purposes," she said. "This cinema is one of our largest lecture halls, used for many courses — not only film, but equipped as a technology-enhanced teaching room with data 
projectors, computers, touch screen operation and more.”
Right: Faculty of Fine Arts Dean Phillip Silver (left) with Tim and Frances Price and Film Department Chair Brenda Longfellow
Tim Price is the current Chair of York University Foundation Board of Directors, a Campaign Co-Chair of the “York to the Power of 50” fundraising campaign and Vice-Chair of the York University Board of Governors. He also serves on numerous committees. York University Foundation President & CEO Paul Marcus noted that the evening’s event provided a bookend to a day that had begun with Price’s participation in a three-hour York committee meeting. “He’s pretty much everywhere in the York community,” said Marcus.
To laughter, Price began his address modestly by saying, “I’m glad we’ve come to the end of all those kind words.” For Price, however, the modesty stops at Accolade. He described how he had become intrigued as the facility moved from a dream to reality. “I began to realize that this was something that was going to be imperative and great for York,” he said, explaining the family’s decision to lend its name to the cinema.
Left: Tim and Frances Price are presented with a print by celebrated artist and York Professor Emeritus Ron Bloore. Pictured from left are Paul Marcus, Lorna R. Marsden, Phillip Silver, Tim Price and Frances Price.
Faculty of Fine Arts Dean Phillip Silver further outlined the importance of the new cinema, which boasts one of only three high definition digital projectors in the GTA. “York’s Film Department has been the springboard for many talented filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, film writers and educators, many of whom have gone to make their mark on the national and international film scene,” said Silver. “This outstanding new facility will support the development and foster the achievements 
of the next generation of film artists coming up in our program.”
Right: Frances and Tim Price prepare to enjoy a series of film shorts by York students inside the Price Family Cinema
After the dinner, guests had the opportunity to experience the Price Family Cinema firsthand as they were invited to a viewing of York Shorts – the Reel Thing, 10 engaging short films produced by York film students.
This article was submitted to YFile by Bruce Mitchell, marketing & communications specialist, York University Foundation.