Announcements / General updates and news announcements about programs, funding decisions, and initiatives

Rob Egan, President and CEO of BC Film + Media, announced today the Society's production commitments for 2000/2001. The province's film development agency has committed a total of $2.5 million in equity financing to the production of 35 BC Film + Media and television projects through its Television and Film Financing Program.

"We were overwhelmed with requests for funding again this year," reported Rob Egan, President and CEO of BC Film + Media. "We are excited and impressed by the quality of projects we are supporting as true evidence of a growing and vital domestic film and television industry in the province."

In 2000/2001, nine television series are to receive production support including the first season of the new comedy series Big Sound (executive producers Michele White, David Steinberg and Frank van Keenen, produced by Patti Allen), the third season of the dramatic series Da Vinci's Inquest (executive producers Chris Haddock, Lazslo Barna; producers Lynn Barr and Arvi Liimatainen), and the fourth season of Cold Squad (executive producers Julia Keatley, Matt McLeod, and Peter Mitchell, produced by Gary Harvey). Children's series include the third season Scoop and Doozie (produced by Romney Grant) and the second seasons of teen drama Edgemont(executive producers Michael Chechik and Ian Weir) and The Magician's House (executive producers Mickey Rogers, Stephen Garrett). Documentary series include newcomers Kink (produced by David Paperny and Charles Bishop), The Corporation (produced by Mark Achbar and Cari Green), and the fifth season of Champions of the Wild (produced by Michael Chechik and Christian Bruyère).

A total of 22 broadcast singles / documentaries have financing commitments including Alpha Yaya Diallo (produced by Koa Padolsky), Captured Rain (produced by Bette Thompson and Terence McKeown) Ice Beyond Cool (produced by Tony Papa), K-9 Corrections (executive producers Arvi Liimatainen and Jayme Pfahl; produced by Erin Mussolum and Michelle Welygan), Made in China (produced by Shan Tam), The Orkney Lad (produced by Lael McCall and Penny Wheelwright), The Right to Jam(produced by Jill Sharpe and Lynn Booth), A Stranger in Our Home (produced by Melanie Wood), and The Spirit Wrestlers (produced by Jim Hamm).

In addition, BC Film + Media is committed to support the production of three feature films for theatrical release including American Roulette (produced by Kim Hogan), Mile Zero (produced by Blake Corbet and Trent Carlson) and Show and Tell (produced by Gavin Wilding).

Two projects will receive support through completion funding including the feature film Protection (produced by Erik Paulsson and Bruce Spangler) and the documentary special Lilith Fair (produced by Dean English and Jessica Parker).

BC Film + Media is a privately-administered, non-profit society established in 1987 by the provincial government with a mandate to expand and diversify the cultural industries of film and video in British Columbia. The Society gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture.


TELEVISION AND FILM FINANCING COMMITMENTS 2000/2001