July 19, 2011 - The NWT film industry has become one of the territory’s most promising sectors and is in a great position to grow, thanks to recent changes by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Recognizing the promise of this vibrant industry, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) has restructured the Film Commission staff and added a dedicated Associate Film Commissioner to provide support to the NWT film industry to better serve aspiring northern filmmakers.

“We heard industry concerns that the Film Commission needed more capacity,” said ITI Minister Bob McLeod. “This newly tailored support will allow ITI to maximize the effectiveness of its support for the industry by working directly with industry partners.”

The Associate Film Commissioner will work directly with the film industry to provide assistance tailored to each specific project.

In addition to the restructuring of Film Commission staff, $100,000 in new dedicated annual funding has been made available for NWT film industry projects. The money will be distributed through ITI’s Support to Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) Policy starting this fall.

“For many aspiring filmmakers in the NWT, finding financial support has always been an issue” said Minister McLeod. “With this support, we hope to see even more films produced in the NWT that use our rugged landscape and vibrant cultural essence as a backdrop.”

The Department of ITI’s increased support for the NWT film industry is an example of its commitment to creating a diverse, sustainable economy as envisioned in the 16th Legislative Assembly’s Northerners Working Together plan.

For more information, contact:

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