Vancouver: Proving that fact-based production is still the mainstay of the domestic industry on the West Coast, 21 documentary singles and two long-form documentaries received investment from funding agency British Columbia Film, which has announced its choices for television support for 2001/02.

While they represent almost 60% of the titles gaining support, the documentary specials will share contributions of only $570,000 or 25% of nearly $2.3 million BC Film has earmarked for TV through the Television and Film Financing Program.

Among the documentary singles making the cut are: Little Sisters vs. Big Brother (Homeboy Productions Ltd.), which chronicles Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium’s censorship battle with Canada Customs; Safe! A Story of Drugs and Resistance (Canada Wild), which explores ‘harm reduction’ strategies designed to deal with Vancouver’s drug problem; Say I Do (Red Storm Productions), which investigates the Filipino mail-order bride industry; and, Modern Adonis: The Material Men (Make Believe Media), which follows the careers of three Canadian male models.

Tribute (Artisan Tribute Productions), a backstage look at celebrity impersonators, is one of two long-form documentaries getting money.

Overall, 36 applications for television funding were successful, up 20% over the year. New funding for feature films, part of a recent $5-million investment by the outgoing NDP government, freed up another $400,000 in BC Film’s budget to spark the growth in television support.

BC Film will fund four documentary series, including newcomer Ravens & Eagles: Haida Art (Ravens & Eagles) to the tune of $305,000 or 14% of the total.

Seven television series will take up the bulk of the funding contributions. Returning series such as Da Vinci’s Inquest and Cold Squad join new programs such as the snowboarder series Free Riders (The Word Farm) in sharing $1.05 million, or 46% of the total.

Meanwhile, TV specials such as crime reporter MOW Jinnah: On Crime – Pizza 911 (Force Four Productions) and the TV adaptation of the play The Overcoat (Principia Productions) will share contributions of 350,000 or 15% of the total.

The 36 successful productions were culled from more than 50 applications seeking about $4.5 million. Most productions received only a portion of the funding they requested.

BC Film says the final contributions will change if some television productions don’t proceed. Feature film funding, meanwhile, will be announced soon. *