Film and television production spending in British Columbia rose by 16 per cent during 2011, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong announced.

BC Film Commission data shows film and television expenditures in 2011 topped $1.188 billion, an increase of $167 million over 2010. A total of 281 productions were undertaken in B.C. in 2011 (35 more than in 2010):

• 134 foreign productions: 58 feature films, 24 television series, 25 television projects and 27 animated series or projects.
• 147 domestic productions: 19 feature films, 45 television series, 74 television projects and nine animated series or projects.

Television series ($504 million) and feature films ($447 million) provided the most production activity for 2011. Other television projects and animation accounted for the remaining $237 million.

Foreign feature film activity for 2011 increased 55 per cent over the previous year to $430 million. Visual effects produced by B.C. studios contributed much of this growth. Domestic production spending in B.C. decreased to $209 million in 2011 from $244 million in 2010.

Quotes:

Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"British Columbia shines as a hub for film and TV production. The industry provides good jobs for British Columbians and helps promote B.C.'s unique identity as a great place to live, work and invest."

"We will continue to support the success of film and TV through strategic tax credits, as well as funding for organizations that help filmmakers do business in our province."

Peter Leitch, chair, Motion Picture Production Industry Association of British Columbia -

"B.C. has earned its reputation for excellence in film and TV production, having built an enviable infrastructure and an outstanding talent pool behind and in front of the camera. We are now competing in a dramatically shifting global environment, which presents considerable challenges, but even greater potential."

"The industry is committed to working together with government to ensure that B.C. is a world leader in screen-based entertainment production, creating new jobs and investment for future generations."

Quick Facts:

• British Columbia is the fourth-largest overall film and television production centre in North America (behind Los Angeles, New York and Toronto).
• Film and television production contribute over a billion dollars annually to the provincial economy, employing 20,000 people directly while supporting 15,000 jobs indirectly.
• Film, television and animation projects produced in British Columbia in 2011 include:

• Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn
• Superman: Man of Steel
• Elysium
• Foreverland
• The Grey
• Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
• Arctic Air
• Alcatraz
• Sanctuary S.4
• Once Upon a Time
• Real Housewives of Vancouver
• Consumed
• Bob's Burgers
• League of Super Evil S.3
• Thomas and Friends

• The provincial government promotes B.C.'s film industry through a film-favourable tax regime, nearly $200 million in tax credits and funding for the BC Film Commission, BC Film + Media and regional film commissions.
• Vancouver's robust digital media sector represents a major asset that will grow increasingly important as film, TV and digital continue to converge.
• British Columbia has more than 600 digital media companies employing 16,000 people and generating $2.3 billion in annual sales.

Learn More:

For a closer look at how the B.C. government helps film production in the province, visit the BC Film Commission at: http://www.bcfilmcommission.com/

Check out the provincial government's role in supporting artists, arts and cultural organizations through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd

View a backgrounder with financial details for 2011 film and television spending in B.C. at: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/downloads/Film_Backgrounder.pdf

Contacts:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677

Susan Croome
BC Film Commissioner
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
susanc@bcfilmcommission.com
604 660-2732