Skip to content

Rural areas look to film industry

RDNO’s five electoral areas are considering possible support for the Okanagan Film Commission.
web1_98920vernonrr-film8-22-16

Rural communities appear ready to fund the film industry.

The Regional District of North Okanagan’s five electoral areas are considering possible support for the Okanagan Film Commission.

“There is some interest,” said Herman Halvorson, Electoral Area Advisory Committee chairperson.

Currently, the only electoral area that provides funding to the film commission is Cherryville.

Halvorson says there’s a good chance that his area, rural Enderby, will back the commission.

“They do good work in our area and it creates a lot of employment,” he said.

Cherryville’s contribution was $100.

“It’s the thought that counts,” said director Hank Cameron.

“It’s an exciting industry and there are opportunities for movies in Cherryville.”

The OFC is asking the Regional District of North Okanagan to increase its 2017 grant from $29,000 to $35,000. Currently, the only participants in the service are Vernon, Coldstream and Armstrong.

Most of the electoral areas are interested in providing direct grants and not joining a formal funding service, but that could change in the future, says Rick Fairbairn, rural Lumby director.

“It’s good for the community,” he said of the industry.

The other two electoral areas are BX-Swan Lake and BX-Silver Star.

Enderby is not part of the RDNO service but it does contribute to the film commission on its own. Spallumcheen and Lumby do not contribute.