MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - A joint project initiative involving Mountain View County, the Town of Sundre and the Town of Didsbury to promote and encourage filming in the district continues to make good progress, with the project website expected to launch next month, say officials.
Filming Inventory Project is being spearheaded by the economic development departments of the partner municipalities. Work on the project got underway last fall.
“We are creating a comprehensive tool to put the entire region on the international film map,” said Alexandra Ross, economic development officer and strategic operations coordinator with the Town of Didsbury.
“In general this project will help with our economic development objectives, to attract more films and film talent to our region. I think it will be an exciting year for Didsbury and the region for the film industry. We are quite excited and absolutely thrilled.”
Once completed the project will feature an electronic database website that will include an inventory of filming sites within the district, local available talent, and the creation of a brand identity for MVC Film Partnership.
- RELATED: Hollywood returns to Didsbury
- RELATED: Town set abuzz with Costner movie shoot
- RELATED: Didsbury nominated for TV series location award
Work to date has included the compiling of film locations in the district.
The multi-faceted website will be translated into several languages depending on the target market, she said.
“We are planning on launching the website in March and there will be an official launch,” she said. “We can’t wait to get out of the gate with the project.”
The project has been approved for CanExport Community Investments contribution funding by the federal government.
Chris Atchison is the director of legislative, community and agriculture services with Mountain View County.
“The county is pleased to be working with the Town of Didsbury and the Town of Sundre on the development of a filming inventory and the consolidation of film related information between our communities,” said Atchison.
“This project aims to further council’s economic development objectives by showcasing our local businesses and locations that are perfectly situated for future filming opportunities and to provide these businesses an opportunity to highlight their services to the local, national and international film market.
“Although each community has been successful at attracting filming opportunities on their own in recent years, it is our belief that through this ongoing partnership and future collaborative endeavours, our regional presence to the film industry will be heightened.”
Project organizers are encouraging any businesses or individuals that believe they would benefit from being included to reach out for further discussion, he said.
The collaboration among the three municipalities involved in the project has been very good, said Ross.
“It is really important to work together of economic development success,” said Ross.
