By Katarzyna Pipin
For Derek Diorio, establishing a film office isn’t about bringing Hollywood stars to Ottawa. As a local film producer, Diorio supports city council’s approval for funding the creation of an Ottawa-Gatineau film office.
“I think everyone gets really excited about the sexy things,” says Diorio, president of Distinct Features, an independent film studio in Ottawa. “The goal is to help move along indigenous production.”
The city will pledge $150,000 over the next three years. This is in addition to the $50,000 investment from the City of Gatineau and $30,000 from the National Capital Commission. “I think it’s been challenging to get the final commitment, but the support has been unanimously there,” says Ken Stewart of the General Assembly Production Centre, a video production company.
“We need a focal point to develop our own industry.”
Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal already have film offices. Canada has a $4.4 billion film industry and in Ontario it has created more than 39,000 jobs.
Stewart says Ottawa’s film industry has been neglected because it’s close to Toronto and Montreal. He says the film office is needed to provide location and services for local and outside productions for both sides of the Ottawa River.
The Canadian Museum of Civilization will house the office rent-free.
If the industry grows, there will be more activity in terms of production and cultural business growth. “A lot of other cities a lot smaller than Ottawa have film commissions, if we want to create an industry we have to stand up strong with one voice.”
One of the main incentives filmmakers have to look forward to is the potential for tax breaks.
Diorio says filmmakers like himself are hoping to establish a harmonization of tax credits, which would enable labour from either Quebec or Ontario to enjoy the same tax benefits. This could mean potential savings for film producers.
Ottawa hasn’t had a film office since the Ottawa-Hull Film and Television Association closed two years ago.
There has always been a need for resources for locally based production says Kelly Neall of the Ottawa International Animation Festival. She used to run the former film office. “We used to get two or three calls a week to do with shooting,” she says.
“I think it could be a great benefit to the city if they choose to support it.”
If all goes as planned, the office could open as early as next spring.