DIDSBURY – Council has given first reading to a new bylaw that would allow the municipality to collect fees from companies filming in town limits.
Didsbury has become popular with recent film and television productions, with filming taking place throughout the municipality.
Bylaw 2024-10 - Filming Rates and Fees focuses on three types of film production: complex film production ($1,000); simple film production ($500); and not-for-profit film production (no charge).
The proposed rates were determined by reviewing rates currently charged in other Alberta municipalities, including Banff and High River, administration said in a briefing note reviewed at the June 11 council meeting.
The proposed bylaw does not include rates and fees for the rental of town facilities, which are covered under other existing bylaws.
The proposed bylaw defines film production as “the creation of digital video, a motion picture, movie, theatrical film, television commercials, television series and digital media, including those activities considered necessary in order to record the sounds, scene, image parts or segments.”
Complex film production is defined as “film production held in the public realm which requires additional town resources or support of town staff from multiple departments, or a film production that requests the closure of a roadway.”
Simple film production is defined as “a film production held in the public realm which requires limited use of town resource or staff support and does not require the closure of any roadway.”
Public realm is defined as including parks, streets, sidewalks and boulevards with the town.
Council forwarded the proposed bylaw to the financial planning committee for review and recommendation.
