The Viola Desmond Cinema has been officially unveiled in Toronto, Ontario.
TIFF Bell Lightbox’s largest cinema was renamed to honour the African Nova Scotian civil rights advocate on November 8th, Viola Desmond Day.
In 1946 the Halifax businesswoman was arrested and fined when she refused to move from her seat in the whites-only section of the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow.
Last year TIFF announced a $2 million fundraising campaign to champion Black women creators and dedicated two front row seats in Cinema 1 to commemorate Viola’s revolutionary stand and her sister Wanda’s dedication to sharing her story.
This week, TIFF honoured civil rights advocate Viola Desmond with the official unveiling of the Viola Desmond Cinema, featuring its inaugural screening of Ava DuVernay’s ORIGIN, and the opening of @NiaCentre's public exhibition HERE TO STAY. #ViolaDesmondDay
📸: Jeremy Sandler pic.twitter.com/4uBcHJL8ez
— TIFF Press & Industry (@TIFF_Industry) November 10, 2023
