Project Title:

INFilm 2009 Regional Film Sector Development

Project Organization:

Vancouver Island North Film Commission

Project Investment:

  • Island Coastal Economic Trust: $38,295
  • Total Budget: $124,795

Project Highlight:

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes generated more than $1M in direct revenue to the Ucluelet economy including $360,000 to accommodation providers and 40 set construction jobs.

Vancouver Island North Film Commission (INFilm) has been instrumental in attracting the film industry to the region, further diversifying local economies. To stay current in this highly competitive industry, INFilm uses an online image library to attract international film and television projects to the region and undertakes creative marketing initiatives.

This project included functionality upgrades to the existing website, enabling INFilm to manage larger amounts of data. The project also supported a film location marketing program including the development of a regional image brochure; the pursuit of new digital media opportunities; the development online film tourism materials and tools, as well as the hosting of familiarization tours. A film-induced tourism pilot project was launched, which included the creation of electronic and print tourism maps highlighting filming locations, complete with detailed information on each community.

The project has led to direct economic impact and relationship building with industry stakeholders, helping to position INFilm as a leader in this rapidly changing industry. INFilm has successfully attracted recent Hollywood blockbuster productions such as Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, which generated more than a million in direct revenue to the Ucluelet economy. INFilm’s database, now featuring more than 36,000 location image, attracts a diverse range of productions including television shows such as Boston Legal, reality television series, such as Alone in the Wild, as well as documentaries, commercials and nature based television programs.

Island Coastal Economic Trust funded this project on 2009 through the Capital and Innovation program.