British Columbia's creative on-screen entertainment industry, including filmmakers, TV producers and digital technology companies, will benefit from more than $2.2 million in B.C. government funding for organizations that support the sector.

Funding recipients for 2012-13 are:

• $1 million for BC Film + Media.

• $947,000 for the BC Film Commission.

• $275,000 for British Columbia's regional film commissions.

Provided by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, this funding helps promote British Columbia to filmmakers around the globe and support productions in regions throughout the province.

The B.C. government established BC Film + Media, a not-for-profit organization, to expand and diversify the film, television and digital media industry in British Columbia. The BC Film Commission (BCFC), a branch of the provincial government, has been promoting British Columbia as a motion picture production centre and destination for more than 30 years. BCFC works with regional commissions and offices that provide local motion picture expertise. Regional offices help to attract and facilitate production activity in communities throughout B.C., resulting in significant revenue for local economies.

Quotes:

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

"British Columbia's spectacular landscape, diverse regions and unique communities attract filmmakers and TV producers to our province. Digital media companies based in B.C. enjoy significant international success. This dynamic sector sustains good jobs and attracts substantial investment."

"The Province provides generous tax credits and funds organizations that support the success of B.C.'s on-screen entertainment sector. We will continue to consult and work closely with the industry in British Columbia in order to maximize opportunities going forward into the future."

Susan Croome, BC Film Commissioner -

"British Columbia's film commissions work together to showcase B.C.'s spectacular locations, outstanding cast and crew, top-notch facilities and infrastructure. British Columbia is also home to award-winning digital animation and visual effects professionals.

"Filmmakers and TV producers know that British Columbia delivers on its promise to provide an excellent production experience on time and on budget."

Michael Francis, chair, British Columbia Film + Media -

"I would like to thank the provincial government for its continuing support. These funds are essential to the development of a strong and sustainable film, television and digital media industry in British Columbia."

Learn More:

For a closer look at how the B.C. government helps the film, TV and digital industry in the province, visit:

• BC Film Commission at: http://www.bcfilmcommission.com/

• BC Film + Media at: http://www.bcfm.ca/

Check out the B.C. 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

Two backgrounders follow.

Contacts:

Gillian Rhodes
Communications Manager
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 356-6334

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

BACKGROUNDER 1

Facts about film, TV and digital media production in B.C.:

• British Columbia is the fourth-largest production centre in North America.

• Film and TV production spending in British Columbia during 2011 topped $1.18 billion, up $167 million from 2010 - a 16 per cent increase.

• B.C.'s film and TV production industry employs about 20,000 people directly and supports another 15,000 jobs.

• British Columbia has more than 600 digital media companies, which generate $2.3 billion in annual sales and employ about 16,000 people.

• B.C. film tax incentives provided almost $220 million last year, plus an additional $35 million for interactive digital media.

• Vancouver's robust digital media sector is a major asset that will be increasingly important as film, TV and digital media continue to converge.

• B.C. continues to attract the top global visual effects companies in the world.

• Since 1990, film productions supported by the Okanagan Film Commission have generated a multi-million dollar economic impact.
• In 2012, film crews have been working in the region continuously since the year began - a first in the history of the commission.
• OFC has worked with international animation studios set to open offices in the Okanagan, including Bardel Entertainment / Nickelodeon, Lizard Brain and Disney. These new studios employ young professional people at above-average salaries.

• Since 1996, the Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission has been the go-to agency for film productions doing business on southern Vancouver Island.
• Over the last decade, the commission has supported the regional economy by helping to generate more than $165 million in direct spending in the Capital Regional District.

• Since 1995, the Vancouver Island North Film Commission (INFilm) has serviced film productions generating more than $80 million in economic impact for rural communities on Vancouver Island.
• INfilm champions expansion into a full creative industries service model. In 2012, the region has attracted several projects, including Superman "Man of Steel", Twilight - Breaking Dawn, Foreverland and the World of Adventure Sports.

• Since 1999, the Northern British Columbia Film Region has played host to several Hollywood feature films including: Double Jeopardy, Reindeer Games, Insomnia, Dreamcatcher, Eight Below and most recently The Grey, released in January 2012.

• In the last 10 years, the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission has worked with film projects resulting in $25 million in direct spending in the region, with a total estimated economic impact of more than $88 million in Kamloops and surrounding communities.

• Last year, the Kootenay Columbia Film Region responded to more than 60 inquiries for film, TV and commercials, resulting in 21 days of production in Fernie on the Disney movie "Santa Pups" and one week of production in Nelson on the movie "Christmas Miracle", generating $1.5 million and 70 hires for crew and cast in the region.

Contacts:

Gillian Rhodes
Communications Manager
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 356-6334

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

BACKGROUNDER 2

B.C. supports film, TV and digital entertainment

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development funding recipients for 2012-13:

BC Film + Media, Vancouver - $1,000,000.
604 736-7997
http://www.bcfm.ca/

BC Film Commission, Vancouver - $947,000 for operations and $25,000 for regional initiatives.
604 660-2732
http://bcfilmcommission.com

Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission, $40,000.
250 386-3976
http://filmvictoria.com

Kootenay Columbia Film Region, Nelson - $30,000.
250 505-4263
http://kcfilm.ca

Northern British Columbia Tourism Association, Prince George - $30,000.
250 561-0432
http://northernBCtourism.com

Okanagan Film Commission, Kelowna - $30,000.
250 717-0087
http://okanaganfilm.com

Thompson-Nicola Film Commission, Kamloops - $30,000.
250 377-7058
http://tnrdfilm.com

Vancouver Island North Film Commission, Campbell River - $30,000.
250 287-2772
http://infilm.ca

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Williams Lake - $15,000.
250 392-2226
http://landwithoutlimits.com

Columbia-Shuswap Regional District, Salmon Arm - $15,000.
250 833-5928
http://filmcolumbiashuswap.com

Fraser Valley Regional District, Fraser Valley - $10,000.
604 702-5000
http://www.fvrd.bc.ca/

Town of Gibsons, Sunshine Coast - $10,000.
604 886-2274
http://gibsons.ca

District of Squamish/Resort Municipality of Whistler, Sea to Sky - $10,000 shared equally.
http://whistler.ca
http://squamish.ca
Whistler - 604 935-8417
Squamish - 604 815-5006

Contacts:

Gillian Rhodes
Communications Manager
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 356-6334

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