*Support for B.C. copros

I am writing to clarify British Columbia Film policy with regard to producer-related credits for non-b.c. residents which was referred to by the producers taking part in the ‘Producers roundtable’ (Special Report on Production in Vancouver, Sept. 22, p. 32).

Although the article suggests B.C. Film does not support projects where non-b.c. residents receive executive producer credits, the Market Incentive Program does support b.c. companies that are involved in international and interprovincial coproductions where control of the production and producer-related credits are shared equally.

For example, one of the producers participating in the roundtable has been deemed eligible for a substantial non-recoupable advance through mip for an interprovincial coproduction. The non-b.c. partner is receiving an executive producer credit equal to that of the b.c. resident.

Created to help capitalize b.c. production companies, in the two years that mip has been up and running, more companies have been supported annually than were under the equity program that it replaced. A growing number of these companies keep the mip advance outside of their production financing and have put it to corporate uses such as purchasing new technology, developing new projects and capitalizing distribution arms. Those companies that invest the advance in their productions are entitled to recoup that amount.

The interest in the mip is very strong and B.C. Film is continuing to make significant commitments to b.c. companies.

Lauren Davis,

Executive director,

British Columbia Film.