The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Premier Gary Doer and Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson have confirmed the 2004 Manitoba Film and Video Production Tax Credit enhancements to encourage film production. The announcement was made at a special event held at Prairie Production Centre on the set of Big White, a movie currently being shot in Winnipeg. "Our province can offer motion picture studios everything they need to make movies," said Doer. "We have the right combination of people, expertise, facilities, sites and now the financial incentives to attract and encourage even more film production." The 2004 provincial budget provides three changes to the Manitoba Film and Video Tax Credit Program. As well, the province has extended the program for three years until March 31, 2008. The three changes are: a frequent filming bonus, which provides an additional five per cent on top of the existing 35 per cent labour credit on the third project a company shoots in a two-year period; a five per cent rural and northern bonus for companies that shoot at least 50 per cent of their project 40 kilometres outside the City of Winnipeg; and removal of the tax credit restriction on companies that are affiliated with corporations that hold CRTC broadcast licences. The frequent filming bonus is the first of its kind in Canada. It is anticipated this bonus alone will have dramatic impact on the further growth of Manitoba's film industry. The start date for earning qualifying film credits towards the frequent film bonus was April 2003. This will place a number of local and off-shore producers in a bonus position on shooting their first project in 2004. "We now have remarkable financial incentives in place to match the outstanding talent that Manitoba has to offer both in acting and in the technical expertise to support productions for the big screen and television," said Robinson. During the 2002-03 fiscal year, made-in-Manitoba films accounted for $86 million in production activity. In 2003-04, approximately 35 movies were produced with total production activity levels of just under $110 million. "Our star is rising on the movie scene," said Doer. "Manitoba is home to talented writers, actors and musicians, top animators and artists, and skilled technicians with proven success in all stages of production for film and television. The world is watching and we're ready on set."
