Record Year for Film and Television Industry

N.S. FILM DEVELOPMENT CORP.--Record Year for Film and Television Industry

Film and television production in Nova Scotia broke all records in 2001.

The industry created about 1,900 jobs and spent $137 million directly in the province's economy -- $37 million more than the previous year. Both local and guest productions saw increases from the previous year. Of the $137 million, $89 million was created and produced by Nova Scotia filmmakers, and guest productions accounted for $48 million.

"Nova Scotia's film and television industry is an integral part of our economy, and the industry features prominently in the province's future growth," said Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser. "Much credit goes to the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation for the programs it operates in this thriving sector."

Local filmmakers had a busy year on both the feature film and television fronts.

Feature films completed include two of imX communications inc's digital film series: Wild Dogs, produced by Ann Bernier and directed by Thom Fitzgerald, and Past Perfect, produced by Camelia Frieberg and directed by Daniel MacIvor. Also completed are the German-Polish-Canadian co-production Julie Walking Home and Chronicle Pictures' Touch and Go, written by Cape Breton playwright Michael Melski and directed by Scott Simpson. Marion Bridge, written by Cape Breton writer Daniel MacIvor, is currently in production.

Big Motion Pictures Inc. produced the epic Trudeau television miniseries starring Colm Feore as Trudeau and directed by Jerry Ciccoritti. Television series included the animated Ollie's Under the Bed Adventures, the Liocracy series starring Leslie Nielsen, the outrageous docudrama Trailer Park Boys, Tall Ship Chronicles, Made in Canada, Black Fly, By the Book, LEXX, Chef at Large, Red Hot and Ready, Rideau Hall and the long-running This Hour has 22 Minutes. Many television specials were completed, including the animated special Evil Schmeevil, Words of my Perfect Teacher and Quartette Christmas.

Nova Scotia boasts many talented filmmakers and the strong support provided by the provincial government, through the Film Industry Tax Credit and Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation programs, help these filmmakers achieve success and recognition.

"Nova Scotia's film and television industry is the envy of the country," said Ann MacKenzie, CEO of the corporation. "Our filmmakers consistently create award-winning films that receive national and international success and recognition."

Guest productions included The Shipping News, starring Kevin Spacey, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and Julianne Moore, and K19: The Widowmaker, starring Harrison Ford, which carried over two fiscal years.

Other guest productions shot in Nova Scotia include CBS' A Town Without Christmas, starring Peter Falk and Patricia Heaton; Knightscove's Virginia's Run, starring Gabriel Byrne and Joanne Whalley; Leading Pictures' Wise Girls, starring Mira Sorvino and Mariah Carey; Equinox Entertainment's Phase IV, starring Dean Cain; Lions Gate's The Pilot's Wife, starring Christine Lahti; and the UK-produced My Little Eye.

Guest productions shoot in Nova Scotia for the province's spectacular locations, experienced crews, broad infrastructure of sound stages, production and post-production houses and equipment supply companies. Add to these competitive advantages the value of the Canadian dollar, the Film Industry Tax Credit and the film development corporation's programs, and Nova Scotia offers a very attractive package.

The Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation is a provincial Crown corporation reporting to Nova Scotia Economic Development. The corporation provides a wide range of innovative programs and services to stimulate the growth of the province's film, television and new media industries.