The head of Canada’s interactive media association is downplaying the departure of CFTPA, and says the loss of film and TV producers from the CIAIC, though regrettable, will have little effect on its larger work in the more lucrative video game industry.

‘Film and TV, and especially the TV, is a fairly significant component,’ of the work done by some members of the Canadian Interactive Alliance, says president Ian Kelso. ‘But if you look at the service-based industry, the game side, the revenues there are fantastic, in the billions of dollars.’

CFTPA backed out of the umbrella group earlier this week, complaining that it has accomplished little since it took shape five years ago — failing to reach consensus on key issues or to present a strong voice in Ottawa.

Kelso blames the split on a difference of priorities between the new media crowd and old-school film and TV producers. Attending CRTC hearings, for example, matters more to the CFTPA than it does to companies caught up in the young and turbulent interactive business, he says.

‘We’ve got companies growing up out of nothing, as well as companies in transition,’ he tells Playback Daily. ‘I think the CFTPA has a very strong focus on things at the CRTC and more core interest than we do.’

CIAIC has said it is still open to working with CFTPA in the future, and notes that many of its members continue to operate with the producers association on a regional, and less formal level.