In 1955 the Vancouver Festival Society was formed by interested citizens to continue and increase the opportunities in Greater Vancouver and elsewhere in British Columbia for the appreciation and enjoyment of the arts, music, drama, literature and healthful recreation. After the initial organization, plans were under way to hold a festival of the arts in Vancouver, under the name Vancouver International Festival. The first festival was held in 1958, and included symphony concerts, dance and mime, drama, opera, films, chamber music, recitals and soloists and jazz. Financial difficulties in later years made yearly operations more difficult. In 1963, the Festival underwent several changes in order to attract more people, but financial difficulties plagued it until 1968, and the society was unable to carry on holding festivals.