Videomatica Film Collection Available to the Public at UBC and SFU

Film buffs mourning the 2011 closure of renowned Vancouver video store Videomatica can now access its collection of over 35,000 titles at UBC and SFU libraries. 

Catalogued and available for borrowing, the unparalleled collection includes feature films from more than 75 countries, documentaries, cult and art films, Canadian works and selections from the Vancouver International Film Festival. UBC received about 28,000 DVDs, 4,000 VHS titles and 900 Blu-rays and SFU received more than 2,500 documentaries.

The acquisition of the $1.7-million collection was made possible through a donation and purchase agreement brokered by Vancouver philanthropist, Yosef Wosk. 

“We are delighted to steward Videomatica’s remarkable documentary collection,” said Brian Owen, SFU’s acting Dean of Library Services and University Librarian. “It’s full of rare and historic titles that are hard to find anywhere else. This is a tremendous resource for the academic community and for the general public. Two thumbs up!”

"The library is a natural home for our curated collection," said Graham Peat, Videomatica co-founder and winner of the 2011 Mayor's Arts Award for contributions to film and new media in the City of Vancouver. Co-founder Brian Bosworth agreed: “We’re excited to re-introduce Videomatica to the community and see how it can be enjoyed for academic research and to bring public and campus groups together.”

The collection is housed at UBC Library’s Koerner branch on the Vancouver campus, and the documentary collection is at SFU’s W.A.C. Bennett Library on its Burnaby campus. The films are available for public borrowing with a valid library card from the relevant university. 

UPDATE February 14 - Please note that Videomatica is still in business as a sales-only operation catering to collectors, located within Zulu Records, a few blocks away from its previous location.

Visit the Videomatica collection’s website videomatica.library.ubc.ca to learn more.