OMDC SUPPORTS DOMESTIC FILM INDUSTRY

Film Fund Invests $2.5 Million in 16 Projects

TORONTO, Sept. 9 /CNW/ -

NEWS

Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) today announced an investment of $2.5 million to assist in the production and development financing of 16 domestic feature films through support from the OMDC Film Fund.

Production financing was awarded to seven dramatic Ontario feature films and one documentary, and development financing was awarded to eight projects, including three documentaries in late stage development. The process is highly-competitive: 48 applications were received for the Fund which is adjudicated by an industry jury.

Ontario's strong domestic film industry has shown steady growth over the past several years. Some of Ontario's leading and up-and-coming directors who have features in the works for this round are: Deepa Mehta, Sarah Polley, Don Shebib, David Weaver and Aaron Woodley.

QUOTES

"Ontario's growing film industry plays a key role in helping us build a stronger, more competitive economy. By investing in these high-calibre film projects, we're building Ontario's economy now and for the future."

- Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture

"Film is big business in Ontario, contributing almost a billion dollars to the economy annually and employing thousands of highly-skilled people. OMDC's Film Fund has invested more than $17 million in production and development in 134 features in the past five years. Many films - such as Steve Hoban's Splice - have gone on to box office success. This year, we are proud to announce that seven Film Fund-supported features are screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, including the Opening Night Gala Score: A Hockey Musical."

- Kevin Shea, OMDC Chair

QUICK FACTS

• The OMDC Film Fund enables Ontario-based producers to complete their financing with contributions of up to $25,000 for development projects and up to $400,000 for production funding, on a last-in basis.
• In 2009 (the latest year for which figures are available), 28 domestic features (seven of which were supported by OMDC Film Fund) filmed in Ontario contributing $99.2 million to Ontario's economy according to OMDC statistics.
• Ontario's strong domestic film and television sector continued to experience growth in 2009.Total domestic production spending increased by $129.8 million over the previous year, or 23.8%, contributing $674.4 million to Ontario's economy. The number of domestic productions was similar to 2008, but budgets increased by 99.8 per cent.
• Since 2005, more than $17 million has been invested to support 134 domestic feature films providing more than 27,665 weeks of work for Ontario's burgeoning film community.
• Seven features supported by OMDC's Film Fund are screening at this year's Toronto International Film Festival® including: Score: A Hockey Musical (opening Night Gala Presentation); The Bang Bang Club (Gala Presentation); Barney's Version (Gala Presentation); A Beginner's Guide To Endings (Gala Presentation); Force Of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie (Special Presentation); Oliver Sherman (Canada First!) and The Whistleblower (Special Presentation).
• Past Film Fund recipients have included such award-winning films and box office successes as: Adoration; Away From Her; Blindness; Fugitive Pieces; and, more recently, Splice. Adoration, Cairo Time, Inside Hana's Suitcase, One Week, Victoria Day and You Might As Well Live were also nominated this past year for Genie Awards.

LEARN MORE

OMDC established the OMDC Film Fund in 2005 to stimulate both the production and development of indigenous filmmaking in the province of Ontario.

Ontario Media Development Corporation is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

www.omdc.on.ca
Disponible en français

For further information:

Mukunthan Paramalingham
Senior Communications Advisor
Ministry of Tourism and Culture
T [phone] [email protected]

Sarbjit Kaur
Senior Consultant
Argyle Communications
T [phone] [email protected]