Details of Your Organization’s Grant Request - Nature and Goals

Details of Your Organization’s Grant Request

Nature and goals of the project, program or event:

1. Our purpose is to increase the amount of film and media production in the Capital Regional District, thereby creating jobs and economic development. In 2022, the Film Commission's Production Services Team: serviced 51 productions; delivered 14 script breakdowns to producers and trained more than 100 people on both set etiquette and how to gain entry into the industry. Our team also added 133 new assets to ReelScout, the digital locations library, and updated our service directory to include over 200 local businesses and services. The film industry in British Columbia currently brings over $3.2 billion a year into the economy and employs over 71,000 BC residents. With the help of the community, local and provincial governments, and the addition of a film studio there is no reason why the CRD cannot attract a minimum of 10% of that $3 billion, which would represent $300 million in direct spending to the Region. Generating this level of sustainable economic impact requires an immense effort to sell the locations, services, and expertise of the region to producers, and provide extensive logistical support once a major production arrives. We cannot do this without reasonable sustainable funding.

Summary of direct and indirect benefits to the Town of View Royal:

2. Film dollars support a wide range of services on South Vancouver Island and the CRD, helping to foster a vibrant local economy. The film industry not only provides jobs for our local crew and income for their families but offers training and future opportunities for young people to work on Vancouver Island. Over the last 10 years, the Film Industry has contributed almost $300 million in film dollars in direct spending to the local economy. This represents close to $30 million per year to local salaries and a wide range of services: