Jumping the Broom Holds Cast and Crew Screening

A locally produced feature film that has grossed more than $35 million and received positive reviews is being showcased today, June 30, in Halifax.

Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Percy Paris is hosting a cast and crew screening of film Jumping the Broom.

Produced by Michael Mahoney of Halifax-based Magic Rock, it was directed by Salim Akil (The Game) and stars Angela Bassett (What's Love Got to Do with It?), Paula Patton (Precious), Loretta Devine (Crash) and Laz Alonso (Fast and Furious). The film was shot in Blue Rocks, Lunenburg Co. during the summer of 2010. The $6.5-million production employed almost 350 Nova Scotians during the shoot.

"It is great to showcase the first rate work being produced in Nova Scotia with the professionals who get the job done," said Mr. Paris. "The high value jobs created by film shoots of this nature are vital to the growth of our economy."

Also attending the screening is the American producer of the film Glendon Palmer of Our Stories Films. The screening allows Mr. Palmer to share the completed work with the crew for the first time.

"I am honoured to share this film with the people who made it possible," said Mr. Palmer. "The contribution of the professional crews and local cast in Nova Scotia were vital to the success of this film."

Nova Scotia's audiovisual industry employs almost 3,000 people and contributes about $100-million to the economy annually. Nova Scotia is among the largest production centres in Canada.

Film Nova Scotia is a provincial Crown corporation reporting to the Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. The corporation provides programs and services to support the province's audiovisual industry.