Prince George, B.C. – The provincial government says expenditures on motion picture production in B.C. hit an all-time high in fiscal 2016-17 and increased by 35% over the year before.

Creative BC, the independent agency responsible for promoting development of creative industries in the province, says it approved 338 tax credit certifications for productions with total budgeted expenditures of $2.6 billion last year.  That compares to 297 certifications and budgeted expenditures of $1.9 billion in 2015-16.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lisa Beare, says the 35% increase in the film and TV industry “means greater opportunities for more British Columbians.”  She says Creative BC “plays an essential role in strengthening B.C.’s motion picture, interactive and digital media, music and publishing sectors.”

Liz Shorten, senior vice-president of the Canadian Media Producers Association, says “it is a time of unprecedented change as well as opportunity for B.C. producers and content creators in the screen-based industries.  The success of our province’s motion picture industry positions us well to increase our presence at home, nationally and around the globe.”