The Okanagan Commission is receiving $30,000 from the provincial government. This is part of $275,000 in provincial government funding to help regional organizations attract and provide services to film and video producers from around the world.
Why this matters:
· Every year, British Columbia’s regions provide locations for various film projects, including movies, television series, documentaries and commercials.
· Motion picture and television producers spent more than $1 billion in British Columbia during 2010. About 90 per cent of productions use the services of the BC Film Commission, including regional film commissions and offices.
Quotes:
“B.C.’s film industry is the third largest in North America, and provides hundreds of jobs in the region. It’s a vital part of our economy, and funding like this allows it to keep growing – Hollywood North, indeed.”
- Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater
“This investment goes a long way and will help a lot of people. The next two films going into production in the Okanagan mean 190 jobs over the length of the shoots, and a lot of economic benefits to hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.”
-Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart
“We appreciate the continued funding – it really is helpful to attract films in the area. Currently we have Flicka 3 shooting in September and No Tell Motel starting August 3. Both of these are here because we had the money to entice them here. Bardel Animation Studios is also setting up an animation studio in the region that will hire hundreds of young people in the next few years.”
- Okanagan Film Commissioner Jon Summerland
Quick Facts:
· British Columbia is the third largest production centre in North America after Los Angeles and New York.
· B.C.’s film production industry directly and indirectly employs more than 25,000 people.
· British Columbians working in the motion picture industry earned wages of about $450 million in 2010.
· The B.C. provincial government provides between $130 million and $200 million in annual refundable tax credits for the film and television industry, depending on the level of production activity.
· The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development distributed the funding to regional film commissions, as well as specific tourism associations and municipalities that work closely with the BC Film Commission to showcase and promote their regions to film makers and liaise with film production companies.