‘Bringing in financing from foreign markets is very appealing to Canadian broadcasters, so thankfully our international partners kept our upstart business moving along when the economy started to slow down.’
Tanya Kelen
CEO of Kelen Content, Toronto

‘2009 was a tremendous year for Newfoundland. Three Newfoundland features (Love and Savagery, Crackie and Grown Up Movie Star) have been making great waves at a variety of grade-A festivals, and television production in the province roared back with Republic of Doyle. Industries our size tend to work cyclically, so the exact scope of 2010 is still a bit to be determined. Like everyone else, the changes to the CMF loom front and center for us, and it remains to be seen how the evolving guidelines for such will shake out and eventually impact our local industry.’
Frank Fagan
Director of international marketing
Film Producers Association of Newfoundland

‘2009 was a rebuilding year for sure. Everyone was still very cautious from the economic crash in the previous year, so decisions were slow but optimism was definitely climbing. I expect that the industry will continue to stabilize but also continue shifting into its new form – which is still yet to be fully defined. It’s the Wild West out there right now.’
Tina Ouellette
Executive producer, Global Mechanic, Vancouver

‘2009 was the year of the ‘Phoenix.’ The industry rose from the ashes of a writers strike, a de facto actors strike, a financial meltdown, and a global recession. Quebec is expecting good things for next year. We already have a big-budget feature and TV series confirmed, and more scripts flooding in. Producers seem to be particularly excited by the range of untapped locations in Quebec, and the depth of our crews, which is a result of our robust local production.’
Hans Fraikin
Film Commissioner, Quebec Film and Television Council

CMF will launch, the CRTC will make decisions on broadcaster licence renewals and we’ll see the impact of the tax-credit enhancements across the country. My hope is that as the game changes, regional production centers like Winnipeg, Halifax, Regina, Calgary and Edmonton will continue to innovate and keep competitive so healthy production communities outside the major centers are sustained.
Tara Walker
Executive director, OnScreen Manitoba