Vancouver: Although the government is predictably vague, the b.c. chapter of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association is convinced funding for b.c.Film is in jeopardy.

While both b.c. Film president Rob Egan and Ian Waddell, b.c.’s cabinet minister responsible for film are downplaying the possibility, local producers have mobilized quickly as the cash-strapped provincial government moves toward another budget.

Fears were outlined in a Jan. 13 letter to members and friends of the cftpa: ‘Apparently, the [b.c.] government is considering cost-cutting efforts [and] not renewing B.C. Film’s funding. This would be a serious blow for our domestic industry.’

In an interview, Julia Keatley, chair of the local cftpa chapter says, ‘We’re talking about the elimination of B.C. Film. We’re hearing it will have to run on reserves.’

For his part, Egan says there is no indication that funding will be cut

Waddell says ‘It’s not true. Whether there would be any cutback is yet to be seen. We have to decide whether we will run on a balanced or deficit budget. This may be a time when government might invest in industry. B.C. Film has promoted and enhanced the b.c. film industry, which government sees as one of the bright lights in the economy.’

History, however, has shown that B.C. Film has been a favored hunting ground for money for the government, with its operating grant cut to $3.26 million two years ago. It may appear particularly ripe for budgetary picking now because of the introduction of the provincial tax incentives for domestic and foreign producers in the current fiscal year.

An 11-year-old agency, B.C. Film provides funding for training, development and production. The growth of the indigenous industry – in primetime drama, especially – created a demand that, for the first time, overwhelmed B.C. Film’s grant-oriented Market Incentive Program, prompting early closure late last year.

The potential loss of B.C. Film would be most keenly felt in the areas of development and training. Presently, b.c. companies lack the necessary corporate base to invest in either development or training and no other government ministry offers a similar assistance.

‘B.C. Film forms the basis for any growth [in the local industry],’ says Keatley, a producer of the ctv series Cold Squad. .

In 1998, B.C. Film contributed grants to five features: West of Sarajevo and Shegalla (Ranfilm Productions), Tail Lights Fade (Cadence), Zacharia Farted (Windowshot Productions) and Better than Chocolate (Rave Film).

Also, 10 television series, 31 documentaries and six broadcast singles were given money last year.

‘People have no idea – at the government level as well – what B.C. Film does with the little money it has,’ says Keatley.