B.C. film and television producers are optimistic that a new Vancouver office of Cineflix Studios, set to open in the fall, will create new opportunities for the scripted drama market, which has dwindled significantly over the past few years.
Cinefix Studios is the scripted division of Montreal-based international production and distribution company Cineflix Media Inc.
The new Vancouver office will be headed up by former CBC TV executive Sally Catto, who oversaw CBC TV series such as Being Erica, Republic of Doyle, Heartland and Intelligence. Catto will start her new position in September.
Liz Shorten, managing vice-president, operations and member services, for the B.C. branch of the Canadian Media Production Association, recently told the new local Cineflix office is a good news story for local producers.
Shorten noted that markets for drama have been hit hard in the past few years and said Cineflix’s new office is poised to inject new life into that market.
“This [the opening of the office] is a good thing because hopefully, not only will we see some scripted drama being commissioned from across Canada, but hopefully because Sally will be based here, we’ll start to see that impact in B.C.,” Shorten said.
See BIV’s next edition for a look at how 2011 is shaping up for B.C.’s film industry.
Jenny Wagler
Twitter: JennyWagler_BIV