British Columbia is rolling out the red carpet to celebrate the wide range of screen-based entertainment, which is created throughout the province, by proclaiming Monday, July 27, 2015, as “Screen in BC Day”.

The Thompson-Nicola region has doubled for numerous countries including Afghanistan, Southwest and Central USA, Tibet, South Africa, Ethiopia, Mexico and The Baja to name a few and for major feature films such as Afghan Luke, 2012, Flicka 2, Shooter, The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, and The A-Team.

Regional Film Offices receive operational funding from the Province of B.C., through Creative BC’s Regional Film Funding Program, which helps support the growth of the film and television industry throughout B.C. For the current fiscal year, Creative BC will be contributing $213,000 toward the Regional Film Offices which includes $30,000 to the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission. This funding is used toward promoting and scouting locations, creating a comprehensive digital photo library and contributing to their website.

Known for excellence in physical production, post production, VFX and animation, interactive games as well as original content by B.C.-based production companies for world markets, British Columbia is one of the top centres for screen production excellence in North America. British Columbia’s motion-picture industry supports approximately 20,000 direct and indirect quality jobs that make up a talented, highly experienced and knowledge-driven workforce.

Quotes:

Victoria Weller, film commissioner, Thompson-Nicola Film Commission –

“The Thompson-Nicola region attracts filmmakers worldwide because of its desert, grasslands and mountainous terrain and proximity to Vancouver. Moreover, B.C.’s film and television tax credit programs, in particular the Regional and Distant Location Tax Credits, have made filming in this region affordable for productions from Ireland, Germany and the United States and for Canadian filmmakers from British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Alberta.

Jackie Tegart, MLA, Fraser-Nicola –

“The Fraser-Nicola area benefits every year from the film industry due to its unique looks. Communities such as Ashcroft, Cache Creek and Merritt realize significant financial impacts as do their business community. Productions such as The X-Files, and the Irish production Tomato Red, which recently filmed in the region, hired First Nations and local talent, and contributed to the economic welfare of the province. Locations, B.C.’s Tax Credit programs and our infrastructure, plus a supportive government and film commissions throughout B.C., make British Columbia one of the best places in the world to film.”

Terry Lake, MLA, Kamloops-North Thompson –

“Our government’s focus is to continue this success by developing a strong economy that will attract international investment and job creation helping to keep our creative, home-grown talent working here in B.C. Kamloops, has a vibrant film and television industry that draws on a wealth of professional performers. As artists you inform and entertain British Columbians by bringing stories to life on screen, as well as by providing a first rate talent pool for TV producers and filmmakers from around the world.”

Todd Stone, MLA, Kamloops-South Thompson –

“In Kamloops, we are proud to play a part in the growth of our province’s film and television industry. As a government we will also continue to support the film, TV and digital media industries in the province through generous industry incentives and competitive tax credits.”

Robert Wong, interim CEO and acting film commissioner, Creative BC –

“B.C. has become one of North America’s leading creative hubs for screen-based entertainment with a talented group of B.C. companies who are creating and selling their content to audiences around the world. At the same time, we have grown to become of the world’s largest cluster for visual effects and digital animation which has given us a competitive advantage as a global centre capable of performing the complete spectrum of services required for major productions.”

Quick Facts:

• The Swiss-Canadian co-production Shana: The Wolf’s Music features First Nations cast from Merritt and Lower Nicola Indian Band, and Lower Nicola Valley landscapes, and has been exhibited in more than 10 countries and won many Youth Film awards.
• B.C. production expenditures reached an estimated $2 billion in fiscal year 2014-15 compared to $1.45 billion in fiscal 2013-14.
• Budget 2014 extended the Distant Location Tax Credit to Capital Regional District.
• Budget 2015 also expanded the Digital Animation or Visual Effects (DAVE) tax credit to include post-production activities.
• Tax credits are only one factor that the industry uses to decide where to base its productions.
• Production companies come to B.C. because the province offers a wide range of outstanding locations and full service infrastructure, leading-edge post-production and visual effects facilities and a highly experienced, capable and committed workforce who have earned a reputation for consistently delivering a high quality product on time and on budget.

Links:

To learn more about the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission visit: www.FilmThompsonNicola.com and www.ThompsonNicolaMovieMap.com

To learn more about Creative BC, visit: http://www.creativebc.com/

To learn more about BC Creates, visit: http://bccreates.com/