B.C. FILM AND TELEVISION SECTOR STAYS STRONG IN 2010

March 11 2011

VICTORIA ? Film and television production spending in British Columbia in 2010 totalled $1.01 billion.

According to BC Film Commission data released today, a total of 246 productions were shot in B.C. in 2010:

94 foreign productions: 36 feature films, 14 television series, 19 television projects and 25 animated series or projects.

152 domestic productions: 33 feature films, 29 television series, 78 television projects and 12 animated series or projects.

The total number of projects increased to 246 in 2010 compared to 239 in 2009. The majority of activity was in television series production, which totalled $512 million in 2010, an increase of $74 million over 2009. Domestic production spending in B.C. increased to $244 million in 2010 from $218 million in 2009.

Some examples of film, television and animation productions shot in British Columbia in 2010 include: The Big Year, Caesar: Rise of the Apes, Diary of A Wimpy Kid 2, Daydream Nation, The Tall Man, Endgame, Hiccups, Mr. Young, Human Target, Eureka, Fringe, Hellcats, 1001 Nights, and Thomas and Friends.

To support the continued growth of this industry, Budget 2010 included the following enhancements to film, television and digital media tax incentives:

Production Services Tax Credit on labour costs for foreign productions increased to 33 per cent from 25 per cent. Digital Animation or Visual Effects tax credit bonus increased to 17.5 per cent from 15 per cent.

Qualified B.C. labour expenditures cap increased to 60 per cent from 48 per cent of production costs for domestic productions. New BC Interactive Digital Media tax credit for interactive game development of 17.5 per cent of qualifying B.C. labour costs.

British Columbia is the third-largest film and television service production centre in North America, contributing more than $1 billion annually to B.C.‘s economy and providing an estimated 20,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs.

For a Factsheet on Film and TV Production in British Columbia, 2008 ? 2010, visit:

http://www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca/DisplayEventDetails.aspx?eventId=519

Contact: Susan Croome BC Film Commissioner

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

susanc@bcfilmcommission.com

604 660-2732