Premier Meets the Producers

Nova Scotia has its sites set on attracting even more filmmakers to the area.

Premier John Hamm and Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation CEO Ann MacKenzie met with five producers today, June 30, to highlight the competitive advantage of a Nova Scotia location.

"In each of the last four years, up to $60 million in film production has been spent in our province -- mostly out of the Los Angeles area," said Premier Hamm. "Our skilled workforce, exchange rate, infrastructure, tax credit and spectacular locations all add up to one strong business case."

The meeting is part of a four-day trade mission, led by Premier Hamm, targeting the film, television, music, visual arts, cultural and life-sciences sectors.

Today's meeting included several producers with Nova Scotia experience. Dan Blatt of Daniel H. Blatt Productions has shot two television movies in the province -- A Town Without Christmas and Finding John Christmas. Craig Anderson of Craig Anderson Productions has shot three television movies in Nova Scotia -- Songs in Ordinary Time, Passion and Prejudice and The Christmas Shoes. Andrea Baynes has filmed one television movie in Nova Scotia, titled Sex and the Single Mom.

Also attending were Joe Medjuck -- whose credits include Ghostbusters, Eurotrip and Old School -- and Pen Densham of the Trilogy Entertainment Group whose credits include Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Backdraft and TV's The Outer Limits.

"With a Nova Scotia location, U.S. producers can undertake productions that may not otherwise have been financially viable," said Ms. MacKenzie. "Our objective during this mission is to further advance our position as a location of choice for the industry."

Atlantic Film Festival organizers also used the L.A. mission to highlight what is fast becoming one of Canada's premiere film events. This year's festival will be held from Sept. 17 to Sept. 25 in Halifax.

At a reception hosted in honour of the festival, Premier Hamm encouraged people to attend. "The festival pulls together tremendously creative filmmakers from across Canada and abroad. We're proud of the event, and prouder still of those who make it happen."

For more information on the Atlantic Film Festival, and the L.A. trade mission, visit the website at www.gov.ns.ca and click on the Hollywood icon.