A local media association would like to see more small towns on big screens, and is mapping out a route that helps towns and the film industry intersect.
The South Georgian Bay Media Association will release a study called Attracting Film Productions to Small Town Ontario on Feb. 29.
"Ontario's small towns ... are jewels of untold stories, offering filmmakers and audiences a captivating blend of historic charm, natural beauty, and unique cultural experiences," states a news release from the South Georgian Bay Media Association. "These settings provide a vibrant canvas for cinematic narratives, yet remain largely untapped by the film industry."
The study represents eight months of research including interviews with municipal representatives and film industry professionals as well as data analysis done.
"The study aims to illuminate the pathways to invigorating small-town economies in Ontario by becoming attractive locales for film production ... presenting an opportunity for these communities in Southern Ontario to draw film production companies to their locales" states the news release."The study aims to arm these communities with the necessary knowledge and tools to become sought-after destinations for filmmakers."
Tom Strnad, a lead strategist for the South Georgian Bay Media Association, said the overall question the study seeks to answer is "what will it take to draw film production beyond the GTA?"
"Answering this million-dollar question could significantly impact the economic and cultural landscape of Ontario's small towns," stated Strnad in the news release.
The findings and recommendations of "Attracting Film Productions to Small Town Ontario" will be accessible to the public on the SGBMA website at www.sgbma.ca as well as on the Ontario Creates website at researchlibrary.ontariocreates.ca.
This initiative was supported by the Ontario Creates Business Intelligence Program along with Community Futures South Georgian Bay.
The South Georgian Bay Media Association was formed in 2015 as a collective of media and film artists in the region.
