CIBC (TSX:CM) said Wednesday that it will be a presenting sponsor of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards to be held in Toronto in June 2011.

The IIFA Awards, also known as the ‘Academy Awards of Bollywood’, are the annual film awards for India’s global movie industry.

This is the first time this event will be held in North America and it is expected to attract over 40,000 visitors to Toronto as well as a global audience of 350 million viewers.

“The IIFA 2011 program will not only shine a spotlight on the very best of the Indian film industry from around the world, but, as importantly, it will showcase the diversity, pride and passion of Canada’s South Asian communities, and Canadians of all backgrounds,” said Sonia Baxendale, president of CIBC Retail Markets.

“Our sponsorship of IIFA is just another example of how CIBC, together with our employees and clients, embrace Canada’s diversity. At the same time, we are excited to honour the cultural, artistic and business contributions of the global South Asian community,” said Baxendale.

In additional to being a presenting sponsor for the International Indian Film Academy Awards in Toronto in 2011, CIBC has a long history of supporting South Asian community events and organizations in Ontario and British Columbia.

IE