Reel improvement in film industry heralded at Yellowknife Film Fest

Yellowknife (September 27, 2012) – The Yellowknife Film Festival kicks off tonight, and Minister David Ramsay will be in attendance – in film form – to give his congratulations to Western Arctic Moving Pictures and the NWT Professional Media Association on behalf of the NWT Film Commission. The NWT Film Commission will also be a panel member at the first-ever NWT Filmmaker and Producer Forum, to provide information about the commission and discuss what has been achieved in the past year.

The forum is supported in part by the Departments of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Education, Culture and Employment.

“We have been working closely with the NWT film industry to advance this industry and are pleased with the success we have achieved together in this year alone,” said Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay. “Although we realize there is much more to do, we will continue to work with the NWT film community to ensure this industry grows. This will strengthen and diversify the NWT economy with the work of our talented filmmakers while showcasing the NWT as a filming destination.”

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment works through the NWT Film Commission to provide assistance to production companies filming in the NWT, and also to promote the local film industry through the Film Suppliers Guide and other initiatives. A dedicated fund of $100,000 is available for the film industry through the Support for Entrepreneurs and Development (SEED) Policy, which was oversubscribed in its first year with several NWT filmmakers receiving funding for various film production and promotion activities.

“We have a strong mandate to help support and promote the arts and film communities in the NWT,” said Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty.  “It is imperative that we continue to provide opportunities for support and create open discussions on how best to accomplish our goals for the artists across the territory.  Events like the NWT Filmmaker and Producer Forum help contribute to our rich cultural mosaic, and further assure our efforts to preserve and revitalize our collective heritage in the North.”

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment supports training and careers in the arts and cultural industries, arts education, public access to and participation in the arts, and art creation through the NWT Arts Council and Northern Film and Media Arts Contributions programs.

The NWT was recently profiled in The Location Guide, a comprehensive online guide containing information for production companies looking for information on filming in various international locations.

Supporting programming for the NWT film industry is one way to maximize opportunities and support economic diversification of the NWT, a key goal of the 17^th Legislative Assembly.

For more information, contact:

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-920-8696

Jacqueline McKinnon
Manager, Public Affairs
Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-920-6222

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