One of the leading figures in the development of Vancouver's film exhibition industry is devoting himself to addressing climate change.

The Pembina Institute, a local clean-energy organization, announced today (January 23) that Leonard Schein is joining their board of directors.

Schein founded the Vancouver International Film Festival in 1982 as well as Festival Cinemas, which operated the Ridge, the Park Theatre, and Fifth Avenue Cinemas (before they were sold to Cineplex Entertainment).

Schein has served on numerous boards of organizations, such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Vancouver Economic Development Commission, Cambie Village Business Association, Vancouver Fringe Festival, Ecojustice, and Coast Mental Health Foundation.

He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, B.C. Community Achievement Award, Canadian Cancer Society National Citation of Merit, Mayor’s Arts Award for Philanthropy, Vancouver Film Critics Circle achievement award, and a Canadian Pictures Pioneer Ancillary Award. He was also inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2014.

As a philanthropist, he has donated to organizations such as Tides Canada and to various charities through his family's Schein Foundation.

The non-profit Pembina Institute advocates for Canadian policies to support clean energy.