(Halifax) Nova Scotia is investing $8 million to help build a film studio to further boost the province’s film and television production industry, which has grown significantly during the pandemic, the premier said Tuesday. Minister Tim Houston.
Posted at 4:35 p.m.
Mr. Houston also announced an additional $15 million over five years to increase Nova Scotia film and television content.
The Prime Minister said he wanted to maintain “the momentum of the past two years”.
Nova Scotia’s film industry contributed nearly $181 million to the province’s economy in fiscal year 2021-22, compared to approximately $91.6 million in 2020-21 and $78 million in 2019-20 , according to the government.
Laura Mackenzie, chief executive of Screen Nova Scotia, said the new funding program is critical at a time when the national and U.S. film and television industries are seriously considering the province as a production hub.
Mme Mackenzie, head of the nonprofit supporting local production, said the Nova Scotia industry has benefited from the province’s “gentle handling” of the pandemic, which allowed film crews and to continue working with strict security protocols. The pandemic, she added, increased demand for locally produced content because people were stuck at home during lockdowns.
A premier filming studio in the province for major productions would allow Nova Scotian and international crews to work year-round in the province instead of shutting down operations during the unreliable weather months of November through March, he said. she declared.
The facility, to be built in Halifax, is expected to cost $20 million, with the rest of the funding coming from the private sector. Mme Mackenzie said talks are underway with potential investors.
Mike Volpe, chairman of the board of directors of Screen Nova Scotia, said the $15 million in the new content creator fund will be used to support filmmakers, writers and actors while helping to diversify industry participation. .
Mr. Houston said he would travel to Los Angeles with industry representatives from the province from March 12 to 16 to meet with executives from Disney, Netflix, NBC Universal and other studios to promote the province as a destination for productions.