THE ONGOING INVESTMENT OF FILM

For Ontario and for Brantford, the film industry represents an ongoing investment in the economy. Ontario Creates reported 363 projects filmed in the province representing a combined $2.7 billion value put into the province and contributing to more than 35,000 equivalent full time jobs. Surprisingly this is larger than some other industrial subsectors.

While the largest share of these investments and jobs are in major centres like Toronto, Hamilton, and Ottawa, film also represents short-term investment in our community. Film is really a part of economic development and follows a similar approach, albeit on much more mirco timelines, of investment attraction and retention/expansion efforts.

The Toronto International Film Festival this weekend symbolized the extent of the industry in Ontario. From the TIFF Marketplace to the gathering of film offices to the various networking opportunities to the Celebrate Ontario event, it was easy to see how film is a growing, evolving industry domestically and internationally.

This year our team brought forth an updated film policy that was approved by Council. It recognizes the many benefits of film and the correlated disruptions of filming. Film contributes to short term investment, additional municipal revenues, future business, global reputations, civic pride, interest in the arts, and niche tourism. It is also a disruptive activity with impacts like extensive time commitment, fluid demands, local access and space displacement, and unusual interruptions. The policy balances ongoing exceptional support for film with the need to mitigate risk for the City, residents, and businesses.

We are working with our partners in the community and across the province to support film by finding the best ways to simplify processes while addressing the needs of residents and businesses. In a changing industry, the values of outstanding service, ongoing support, and continued collaboration will never change. Together we can continue to elevate Brantford and Ontario as centres of film domestically and globally.