Nunavut to get its own film office

Filmmakers and the filmmaking industry in Nunavut will get a helping hand from the territorial government.

This week, Olayuk Akesuk, Nunavut’s minister for sustainable development, announced “some very good news” for prospective filmmakers.

“Our Cabinet has approved the Nunavut Film Development Policy. Their approval brings to an end a process that began when film industry representatives repeatedly expressed a need for a Nunavut film development policy,” Akesuk said in the legislature.

The policy should simplify the funding process for filmmakers who previously had to scout around for money from various GN departments project by project.

“The policy is a good one. It builds technical capacity in Nunavut, allowing Nunavummiut to take advantage of opportunities presented by the film and television industries. The policy supports Nunavut-based film production companies who wish to work in our territory,” Akesuk said.

Akesuk said the “best news of all” is that the GN has backed up its new film policy with money.

This year, $175,000 will go toward an office that will be staffed by a yet-to-be-hired Nunavut film commissioner. As well, one or several major film projects will receive up to $200,000 each from a one-time $500,000 pot of money that the GN is making available during this fiscal year.

In future years, assuming the GN continues to fund the new film programs at the same level, the film commission’s office will administer several programs outlined in the policy, including a $300,000 labour rebate program to encourage filmmakers to hire Nunavummiut; $20,000 for a marketing assistance program; $45,000 for a professional development program; and $72,000 for industry training and development.

According to Ed McKenna, director of community economic development and trade at the GN’s sustainable development department, the film commissioner will decide on exactly how this money will be handed out to eligible filmmakers. The commissioner, who should be in place by early next year, will also promote the growth of the industry and market Nunavut’s film industry in Canada and internationally.

Films, television programs and new media projects will all be eligible for assistance.

The new arm’s-length relationship with the GN should also help the commission – and producers – form alliances and raise money from other partnerships and sources, as well.

The success of Nunavut’s Igloolik Isuma Productions and its award-winning, money-making film Atanardjuat helped convince the GN to move ahead with its film policy.

“In terms of economic development, it opened people’s eyes up a little bit,” McKenna said. “It became a lot easier to talk about it. There’s no question that it opened doors, or showed what you could do in film because of the stories and the culture.”