New Film Strategy Launches for Next Five Years with Producer Incentive Pilot

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Blog Entries

Yellowknife — June 1, 2021

Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), today announced Rolling, Action! The Next 5 Years: NWT Film and Media Sector Strategy and Action Plan (2021-2026) with a new Producers Incentive Pilot Program (PIPP) to continue developing and investing in the Northwest Territories’ (NWT) Film and Media sector.

From February to July 2020, the Department of ITI and the NWT Film Commission (NWTFC) held engagements with Film and Media sector members to identify any gaps in programs and services within the sector. The 2020 NWT Film and Media Sector Stakeholder Engagement Report outlines member input on the Take One: NWT Film Strategy and Action Plan (2015-2020), and the hopes for the sector.

The report details a vision to grow and develop film and media into a nationally competitive and sustainable economic sector for the NWT. When asked what success would look like for the NWT film and media sector in five years, the majority of NWT film and media professionals spoke of feature films being produced in the NWT by NWT residents; further developing a roster of skilled resident professionals; and more full-time jobs and mentorships in the territory’s film industry.

The new Producer Incentive Pilot Program (PIPP) invests in NWT producers by providing support at the development stage to incentivize and empower NWT production companies to develop professional quality, commercial-ready projects to be produced in the territory.

PIPP  begins delivery on June 1, 2021, as a standalone one-year pilot program with a program budget of $100,000. The program will provide qualified NWT producers with funding support to develop projects for presentation to broadcasters, co-productions and other financiers. 

Rolling, Action! outlines 15 actions and investments in three focus areas:  managing and improving our programming; showcasing and promoting our film and media sector; and developing skills and collaborating. These focus areas and actions are designed to achieve identified short- and medium-term outcomes on the way to establishing the NWT’s film and media sector as a distinct contributor to diversifying the NWT economy.

In 2018, the business of audio-visual and interactive media (including film, video and broadcasting) contributed $9.27 million to the NWT’s GDP, $15.5 million to the NWT’s economic output, and 58 jobs.

The NWT film and media Sector are a part of ITI’s mandate to increase economic diversification by supporting growth in non-extractive sectors and setting regional diversification targets. 

Quote

"Thanks to a committed group of professionals with an unwavering belief in a vibrant NWT film and media sector, we have experienced tremendous success and year-over-year growth in the sector. With these stakeholders and partners at the helm, and industry best practices guiding the way, this strategy identifies actions and investments that will enable the NWT’s film and media sector to contribute to  the recovery, diversification and growth of the NWT economy. The new Producer Incentive Pilot Program is a great step towards achieving these outcomes.”

- Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment

Quick facts

  • The three themes that emerged out of the engagements as critical to the growth and development of the film and media sector in the NWT are professional development funding, governance, and story and intellectual property.
  • As of 2018, the film and media sector contributed $9.27 million to the NWT’s GDP, $15.5 million to the NWT’s economic output, and 58 jobs.
  • New programs will help sustain and provide development and investment for sector stakeholders over the coming five years. 

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Media Requests, please contact:

Jacqueline McKinnon

Strategic Advisor, Communications

Industry, Tourism and Investment

Government of the Northwest Territories

Jacqueline_mckinnon@gov.nt.ca

767-9202 ext 63039