Taxpayers are being asked to pump more money into the film industry.
The Okanagan Film Commission has requested the Regional District of North Okanagan increase its 2014 funding from $24,000 to $30,000 to cover the cost of scouting locations.
“We ran short last year,” said Jon Summerland, film commissioner.
According to the OFC, the agency received a total of $180,000 in government funding from all sources in 2013 and the return on investment was $14.4 million.
In the case of Tomorrowland, it spent $3 million a week while in Grindrod, Enderby, and Armstrong last fall.
“There were car rentals, tons of water was being used and lumber was being bought,” said Summerland, adding that local accommodations also benefitted.
Most recently, a Hallmark movie-of-the-week was shot at Sparkling Hill Resort.
“The north has been shining a lot,” said Summerland.
Summerland insists that scouting is critical so producers know what kind of scenery is available to them in the Okanagan.
“We are working for the money,” he said.
“We go after the films. We’re not just sitting around waiting.”
RDNO will consider the film commission request as part of its 2014 budget process.
