File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

TNRD FILM COMMISSION

TNRD Film Commission looks to rebound from strike slowdown with help of provincial grant

Oct 16, 2023 | 4:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — Last week, the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Board of Directors approved a provincial grant application for $336,000 to fund initiatives to help attract the film industry in the rural communities of the regional district.

If the grant is received, the film commission would begin a two year project in the spring of 2024 to train and hire photographers in the TNRD’s ten electoral areas to become scout photographers who would then identify potential film friendly properties.

“Then we will have forces out in each and every corner of the TNRD,” said Film Commissioner Terri Hadwin. “When we are looking to get certain productions into the area, we have boots on the ground. The people with the local awareness and the ability to go out and capture that new imagery that we are wanting to present to productions. That is one of the main reasons why we are pursuing this opportunity.”

Currently, scouts are sent out from the Kamloops area to view locations around the region. Hadwin noted that the film business is a multi-million dollar industry for the TNRD every year.

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“Last year, we brought what we estimate to be around $18 million worth of filming production into the region. This year probably won’t be as high just because of the strike that we have had to go through. But, I feel when things pick back up, they will pick back up in gale force winds and we will be moving full steam ahead,” added Hadwin.