Kootenays, BC – The Kootenay Regional Film Commission is thrilled to announce it has received $46,600 in funding from ETSI-BC in support of the Film Forward: Regional Resiliency Strategy, an initiative designed to help grow a stronger and more resilient film industry in the Kootenays.
Focusing on Central Kootenay and the Kootenay Boundary, the project will expand the region’s film locations library on Creative BC’s Reel-Scout platform, while also training local photographers as location scouts, while continuing to support local producers and film crews.
📸(1, 2, 3) Location Scout Training in the Columbia Valley
Sarah Kapoor, Kootenay Regional Film Commissioner, expresses that she’s “Incredibly grateful for this ETSI–BC funding that will support building a network of people in the Kootenays becoming more film-ready, while also increasing the visibility of the stunning and unique locations we have here.”
By increasing the visibility of the Kootenays’ unique landscapes and investing in local capacity, the Film Forward initiative aims to attract more domestic productions to the region, create local film employment, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the Kootenay film sector.
📸(1, 2, 3) Behind the scenes of ‘Southern Interior’ Sketch Comedy Series
Lynn Trinh, Kootenay Screen-Based Industry (KSBI) Regional Program Manager shares, “With our MOU partner, Kootenay Rockies Tourism, we previously supported Columbia Valley Economic Development Office (CVEDO) in an application to the REDIP Economic Diversification Program to pilot this initiative and create a sub-regional film office in the Columbia Valley. As project partners, we have seen great success from the amazing work Columbia Valley has been doing for the Kootenay film economy, with great support from our film commissioner. We are grateful for Columbia Valley’s support in our application to ETSI-BC and are excited to now extend this same opportunity and development to all areas of our large film region. Those interested in partaking in the training should keep an eye out on @KootenayFilm socials and join our Kootenay Screen-Based Industry Workers Group on Facebook.”
📸(1) KSBI Meetup, (2) Film Commissioner Sarah Kapoor on set, (3) Behind the Scenes of ‘Burger Month’ Series Pilot
This investment supports the continued growth of the regional screen industry while positioning the Kootenays as a competitive and production-ready destination within British Columbia’s film landscape.
Brad Parsell, Chief Executive Officer at Kootenay Rockies Tourism (MOU Partner, Kootenay Regional Film Commission) says, “We are proud to be partners in this initiative to grow the film industry across the region. Encouraging film production helps showcase the Kootenays to new audiences while supporting economic diversification of the region.”
📸(1, 2, 3) Women in Film Mentorship Panel put on by Kootenay Film
Media Contact:
Kootenay Regional Film Commission
Lynn Trinh | Kootenay Screen-Based Industry Regional Program Manager
lynn@kootenayfilm.com
| About Kootenay Film
Kootenay Film is made up of the Kootenay Regional Film Commission (KRFC) and the Kootenay Screen-Based Industry (KSBI) initiative that works with local communities to foster the Kootenay region as a prime location for film production. Kootenay Film was created by NCTS in 2021, which started the KSBI initiative and the Kootenay Regional Film Commission (a joint initiative, co-founded and co-governed by NCTS and the Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association (KRTA), with oversight, support and funding from the Provincial Film Commission at Creative BC). Kootenay Film respectfully acknowledges that it operates on the traditional homelands of the Ktunaxa Nation and within the unceded lands of the Secwepemc (suh-Wep-muhc), Syilx (sighlx) and the Sinixt (sin-eyekst) Nations. Kootenay Film pays respect to those First Nations and is grateful to live, work, travel and recreate on these lands and waters. *** Stay Connected: |
