The City of Edmonton has given the go-ahead to the formation of the Edmonton Screen Industries Office (ESIO).

The new office will replace the Edmonton Film Commission, which had been vacant for more than a year. Edmonton has been without a film commissioner since Brad Stromberg quit the role last year. The City has also approved the formation of a board of directors to oversee the not-for-profit ESIO. Board members have not yet been announced.

The “primary responsibilities for the ESIO and the new Board will be the stewardship and direction of the organization while maintaining the highest standards of public transparency, consultation, and industry accountability,” read a statement from the Alberta Media Production Industries Association (AMPIA).

The first part of 2016 has seen extensive consultations between City Administration and the Edmonton Arts Council, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation and industry stakeholders, to find a replacement for the Office of the Edmonton Film Commissioner.

No date has been set yet for the formal launch of the ESIO, though AMPIA said in a statement that more updates would follow in the coming weeks.

Among the productions shooting in Edmonton currently is teen romantic comedy #ROXY, which began filming last week.

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