Keeping in line with the ever-converging cultural and media industries, the Ontario Film Development Corporation has relaunched as the Ontario Media Development Corporation, a new provincial agency dedicated to bolstering the film, new media, sound recording and book/magazine publishing sectors.

"Each individual industry is facing the challenge of global competition, keeping pace with new technology, obtaining financing, and competing in a smaller domestic market. Clearly you can meet these challenges better with teaming up."It strengthens our position for job creation, economic growth, a competitive edge and attracting foreign investment," says Helen Johns, minister of citizenship, culture and recreation.

Along with the creation of the new agency, which is said to support a $5 billion industry, the provincial government is committing $30 million over the next five years to the omdc.

Finance Minister Ernie Eves says the money will go to expanding the interactive media tax credits, enhancing the Ontario book publishing tax credit and adding new incentives to the film and television production industry. However, the omdc, which retains its ofdc management team and board, has yet to determine exactly how the money will be allotted.

"We love the calling card [programs], but we’re trying to be open about how much of the money will go where," says Marcelle Lean, chair of the omdc board of directors.

Nonetheless, in honor of the late Al Waxman’s contribution to the ofdc, the agency’s popular calling card programs have been renamed the Al Waxman Calling Card Program.

"We have no desire to create a sodec-like bureaucracy," says Adam Ostry, ceo of the omdc. "Putting all the tax credits under one roof provides a greater bang for the taxpayers’ buck."

Within the next few weeks, the omdc will consult with industry representatives on a review of its existing programs and to identify future challenges and opportunities for the cultural media sector.

Plans are also underway for a cultural media symposium to provide a forum for exploring new partnerships. *

-www.ofdc.on.ca