A recently-awarded grant will help three area municipalities further develop their Mountain View Film Office (MVRFO) endeavour.
The MVRFO is Alberta’s first rural film office, founded in 2023 by the municipalities of Didsbury, Sundre and Mountain View County, to promote economic diversification through film development and media technology investment within and near their jurisdictions.
Municipal officials announced Thursday that the initiative has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the province, under the Northern and Regional Economic Development program.
Officials say the funding will be used to hire a qualified consultant to assist with the development of an organizational structure for the unincorporated virtual entity that currently primarily relies on its website.
Officials also endeavour to develop a film festival plan, as well as short and long-term objectives related to growing capacity and how to make the office financially self-sustaining.
Numerous film, streaming and TV productions have been filmed in the municipalities.
“The presence of the film and TV industry in our region is both fun and rewarding. The development of an organizational structure and long-term plan for the film office will ensure that our region remains at the forefront of production,” said Town of Didsbury Mayor Rhonda Hunter in a prepared statement.
