VANCOUVER -- British Columbia is showing some signs of recovery from its 20-month film industry slump, with more than 30 features, telepics and series being shot, up from a high of 20 at the peak of activity last year.
However, execs are concerned that the uptick will ease off again and that work will continue to be lost to Australia and other countries with more attractive tax incentives.
"What happens in the second half of the year will be crucial, when we get back to the normal cycle. Canada has got to make sure it is competitive," said Peter Leitch, director of the BC Motion Picture Production Industry Assn. and Lions Gate Studios general manager.
The BC MPPIA met the federal government in Ottawa three weeks ago to urge it to reinstate the tax shelter program or increase the 11% federal tax credit on labor costs.
The present improvement is attributed mainly to new service work for Hollywood. The uptick in film and TV production -- including five big features, "I Robot," "Paycheck," "Elf," "Scary Movie 3" and "Miracle on Ice" -- has local facilities working at near capacity.
"We're booked solid right through April at Lions Gate Studios," Leitch said. "All of a sudden there's a lot of production on the slate throughout Vancouver ."
Leitch attributes the rise in activity to a new agreement with local production unions in December, including a first-year wage freeze. "Entertainment companies are loosening their purse strings, and a lot of stuff got the greenlight at the same time."
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com