AMPIA and Partners Group Address Film and TV Emergency Funding Issue

In 2 recent documents: a Key Messages letter to the media and AMPIA members, and an Open Letter to the Government of Alberta, Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association and the Partners Group have responded to the provincial government's decision to NOT support the industry by providing 'emergency funding' requested by the Alberta film and TV industry. A positive decision would have ensured that new productions in Alberta would not have to wait 2 years (the period now required to catch-up) before seeing a financial return, and therefore, be reviewed and approved promptly.

With other Canadian provinces (and American states) receiving governmental support, catch-up funding (in addition to increased financial incentives) would ensure Alberta is not dismissed as a production location and help foster continued growth in what is becoming one of Alberta's key industries.

The key points regarding the issue are:

The Alberta film and television industry has proven to be a wealth generator for the Province.

The provincial film and television investment program is not a subsidy. It’s an investment that delivers a 100% direct return to the Province through provincial taxes paid as a result of production activity in Alberta.

The Alberta film and television rebate is designed so that the return of the Province’s investment is not just guaranteed, but actually occurs prior to the investment being made.

Alberta’s film and television rebate has attracted such prestigious projects as Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain, The Assassination of Jesse James starring Brad Pitt, and Steven Spielberg’s Into the West. These blockbuster films and television programs attract tourism dollars to every region of the province in addition to returning 100% of the province’s investment in the film.

The recent international attention from the likes of Brokeback Mountain and the filming of Jesse James with Brad Pitt puts Alberta in a great position to market. Coming off of many award nominations from Brokeback Mountain and the most Emmy nominations for any program this year. Many going to our local crew.

Alberta’s film and television industry employs over 3,000 highly skilled professionals. We are continuing to lose a substantial amount of these professionals to busier jurisdictions, such as Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver.

The Alberta film and television industry is environmentally friendly and provides revenue for rural areas and small towns as well as urban centers.

Since its inception, Alberta’s film and television rebate has triggered steady annual growth in the industry, creating new jobs, new infrastructure, and new opportunities for related businesses in the province. That is no longer the case.

Alberta’s film and television incentive was an effective trigger for the industry when it began eight years ago, but is now critically under financed.

Alberta is losing a significant amount of film and television production to other provinces, states and countries where more competitive incentives exist. With that loss of production activity there is a loss of tourism and related business infrastructure, and the departure of our highly trained crews, cast and production companies.

2006 is the second consecutive year of contraction in Alberta film and television industry, based on the current oversubscription of the film and television rebate program.

The Alberta film and television industry has lost nearly $50 Million in production activity in the first eight months of 2006 due to inadequate investment by the Province in the rebate program.

Film and television production is highly mobile and ruled by financing. Alberta cannot effectively utilize its breathtaking locations, world-class crews, or established production companies because it can no longer compete in the world marketplace.

The Alberta film and television industry needs an immediate investment in its rebate program in order to pay out current production rebate obligations, for which the Province has already received a 100% financial return.

In addition to an immediate investment to cover the Province’s current obligations, the Alberta film and television industry needs to have its Three Year Strategic Business plan, which was developed in concert with Alberta Economic Development, implemented within the next six months in order to regain its competitive advantage, ensure the stability of the industry and begin to rebuild what has been lost.

Based on the competitive incentive environment developing globally, producers have many location options. Internationally governments are recognizing the economic and spinoff benefits of film, and new programs continue to emerge

We have developed an industry here – there is a complete infrastructure in place for film & television production. The investment from the Province is all that we need to flourish.

You can read the Open Letter by reading the PDF file this link.

While the immediate issue is the emergency funding, the 'bigger picture' is that of solidifying the industry, making sure it continues to thrive while offering production, training, and employment options for local and foreign film and television productions.

I would further urge companies, film and TV professionals, and those looking into careers in film and TV production to write the Government of Alberta through Alberta Connects and/or contact your MLA to voice your concerns.

Film and TV production was once a key industry in Alberta. With your support, it can be again.

Thanks.