Vancouver has the uncanny ability to play Anytown, U.S.A., in American film and TV shows. Now local industry players want to raise the region’s profile among Asian and European markets.
Representatives from the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) and Creative BC are embarking on trade missions on opposite ends of the globe over the next moth as part of an effort to build B.C.’s brand abroad.
First up is a trade mission to London, where local producers, the CMPA and Creative BC will be meeting with potential British business partners February 23-25.
“The focus for this mission is on factual productions — that’s lifestyle programs, human interest and documentaries,” said Creative BC CEO Prem Gill, whose provincial agency is responsible for promoting the film and TV sectors.
Local producers, including Force Four Entertainment chief creative officer John Ritchie and Screen Sirens Pictures founder Trish Dolman, will also be on the trip.
“Creative BC is really there to help support and foster the relationships but also get an understanding of the opportunities, especially around the co-productions, for B.C. producers,” Gill said.
After that, 20 Canadian companies will depart for the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) March 14-17.
More than a dozen of the companies appearing at the FILMART’s Canadian pavilion will be from B.C., according to Gill.
“We really do have a community of people that move back and forth fairly regularly between Hong Kong, China and British Columbia,” she said.
“An opportunity we hope to grow and build in the coming months and years is those co-production opportunities.”
Gill said Creative BC is also attending FILMART to help B.C. producers meet with delegates for co-production opportunities, financing and sales within Asia.
