Manic Monday | Lights... Camera... Action!
In previous years our region may not have liked being referenced as "Napa North" but I don't think anyone is upset at the prospect of quickly becoming known as "Hollywood North".
More and more the movie world is finding their way to the Thompson Okanagan thanks to the hard work of our Regional Film Commissioners including Jon Summerland, Victoria Weller and Robyn Cyr.
Over the years we have played host to many big stars and feature films including the likes of Steve Martin, Anthony Hopkins, Jack Nicolson, Dakota Fanning, Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Owen Wilson, Robin Wright, Benicio del Toro, Elizabeth Berkley, Matthew Modine, Dylan O'Brien and the list goes on and on.....
Most recently, Nicolas Cage wrapped filming in Osoyoos on a feature film, "Humanity Bureau" and scheduled to be released on March 3rd is "Tomato Red" with Julia Garner and Jake Weary filmed last year in Ashcroft, Merritt and Kamloops.
The movie industry has the ability to drive strong economic benefits to our region outside of typical peak periods and can continue to build and drive visitor interest in the region. Expanding the opportunity for film making we are seeing entrepreneurs and investors such as Tim Bieber who recently transformed 50,000 sq ft of what was a clothing factory into a film studio in Vernon with multiple sound stages and announced just 2 days ago Eagle Creek Studio with a parent company in Burnaby is ready to break ground for another new sound stage in Kelowna ready in 2017.
The film industry is knocking.......let's all be sure we are ready to open the door to this immense opportunity and become the best region in British Columbia to lay claim to the title of "Hollywood North".
Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO
