From the first days of his mandate, the government of François Legault announced an ambitious plan to expand the Quebec audiovisual industry.
This is a wise investment, given the importance of culture in Quebec, the scope of the international influence of this sector and its rapid growth over the past five years.
Today, as economic recovery is upon us, film, television and digital media companies are looking to increase their capacity to remain competitive on the global stage and leverage the additional funds. granted by the government through SODEC (Society for the Development of Cultural Enterprises) to the audiovisual sector to alleviate the effects of the health crisis on the industry.
As our borders are opening again and foreign productions are looking for even more filming locations, Quebec must be ready to face this growth and remain an attractive venue.
Facing competition from our pan-Canadian neighbors, such as the cities of Vancouver and Toronto, we must quickly seize the opportunity before us to meet this growing demand.
Quebec cinema is distinct and recognized around the world. Our success therefore offers us an opportunity to increase the visibility of Quebec cultural production internationally, at a time when broadcasters such as Netflix, Amazon and HBO are developing a multilingual offer, calling on local production to travel.
If Quebec wants to become a destination of choice for quality film production and grow an industry that represents $ 2.4 billion, 63,000 jobs and more than 500 companies, it is time to scale up much . Governments, industry representatives, industry clusters, unions and educational institutions must work together to ensure targeted growth of the infrastructure, equipment and urban ecosystems that support this industry, its artists. and its artisans, not to mention training.
There is a risk that there will be a shortage of professionals to ensure the sustainable growth of the film, television and digital media industry. The government is forecasting a deficit in many employment sectors until 2023, and it needs to be addressed. However, we have the opportunity to fill these positions here, which would represent significant income for Quebec, since nearly 60% of production costs go towards salaries.
Increasing the number of professionals working in the audiovisual industry in a thoughtful and sustainable manner means investing in more diversified and flexible training courses. It means attracting women and people from minority groups to join the industry and bring their views to the screen. It also means thinking differently about the training of emerging filmmakers, with additional basic education, development opportunities and advanced training in film production, visual effects, animation, augmented reality and management of cultural industries. This is what will allow the Quebec audiovisual industry to grow quickly and intelligently and to continue to distinguish itself in the long term.
Quebec universities, schools and vocational training centers are ready to take up this challenge. At the forefront of training and cultural development, these institutions educate the award-winning professionals of tomorrow who will be able to access quality, well-paid jobs.
Quebec-trained screenwriters, filmmakers and producers are recognized around the world. Their films are shown in Cannes, Berlinale, Sundance and dozens of festivals around the world.
Beyond our collective expertise and our many successes, a crucial element is missing to ensure sustainable and long-term growth. We need a national strategy focusing on the development of Quebec talent and know-how for all audiovisual production. We also need the resources to deploy it efficiently and quickly. Only then will we be able to carry out the Legault government’s ambitious plan to strengthen and increase Quebec’s audiovisual industry and prepare the next generation of Quebecers to represent us here and on the international scene.
* Co-signers: Yves belanger, Director of Photography ; Stephen campanelli, director and director of photography; Christian Duguay, director, screenwriter and producer; Roger frappier, producer and director; Suzanne Guèvremont, director of the School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi; Jean Hamel, Director General of the National Institute of Image and Sound; Gaby Hsab, Dean of the Faculty of Communication at the University of Quebec at Montreal; Claude Joli-Coeur, President of the National Film Board of Canada; Christine maestracci, President and CEO of the Quebec Film and Television Bureau; Kim nguyen, director, screenwriter and producer; Marie-José Raymond, producer; André Turpin, director and director of photography
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