Corporation, Empire Theatres Bring Local Features to Big Screen
N.S. FILM DEVELOPMENT CORP.--Corporation, Empire Theatres Bring Local Features to Big Screen
Local film producers will soon see their movies on the big screen at Empire's Oxford Theatre in Halifax. Empire Theatres Ltd. has joined forces with the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation to increase the number of screening nights the corporation organizes for local films.
The Film Development Corporation screens television shows by local producers on the last Tuesday of every second month at Hell's Kitchen. A recent showcase there, which attracted a crowd of about 100, featured a compilation of Ocean Entertainment's food shows: Chef at Large, The Food Hunter and Red Hot and Ready.
The partnership with Empire gives longer films a venue. Now, audiences will be able to watch local feature-length productions in a full-sized theatre.
"Empire has found a very real way to support the local filmmaking industry," said Economic Development Minister Cecil Clarke. "The big screen will add value for viewers and producers alike."
Ann MacKenzie, CEO of the corporation, agrees.
"These screenings give local filmmakers an opportunity to show their works to a home audience that may not have had the opportunity to see the work before," said Ms. MacKenzie. "Screenings allow people to experience some of the high-quality programs made possible by our corporation's support."
Four times a year, Empire will open up the Oxford to local films not destined for broad theatrical release. Also, short video trailers of Nova Scotia's emerging filmmakers will play before each film, giving two filmmakers exposure on the same night.
"We are very excited to partner with the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation on such a dynamic and important project to bring local productions to the big screen, where all great works are meant to be seen," said Dean Leland, director of marketing, Empire Theatres. "With the Oxford Theatre -- which is always a favourite of film-goers -- as a venue, we know this project will be a huge success."
The tentative lineup includes a summer screening of Chronicle Pictures' recent low-budget feature film Touch and Go, which was shot in Halifax in late 2001. Cape Breton playwright Michael Melski wrote the script, and the film was directed by Scott Simpson.
Other films will include imX communications' Seats 3a & 3c series of digital feature films: Dragon Wheel, written and directed by New Waterford's Trisha Fish; Wild Dogs, written and directed by Thom Fitzgerald; and Past Perfect, written and directed by Cape Breton playwright Daniel MacIvor.
The Nova Scotia Film Development Corp. is a provincial Crown corporation reporting to the Minister of Economic Development. The corporation's mandate is to grow the film and video industry in Nova Scotia by stimulating investment and employment and by promoting Nova Scotia's locations, skill, and creativity in global markets.
Empire Theatres Limited operates in 20 locations, representing 128 screens in the four Atlantic provinces, and employing more than 800. Empire Theatres Ltd. is Canada's largest cinema chain that is 100 per cent Canadian-owned.