Special launch of The Shipping News planned for U.K.

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today that the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation is partnering with the Canadian Tourism Commission in London, England, Air Canada, Vision, and Buena Vista Productions to launch The Shipping News to U.K. tour operators and media. The event will take place at the Canadian High Commission, Canada House, Trafalgar Square on the evenings of January 22 and 23.

"I am extremely pleased with the response we have received to our initiatives connected with The Shipping News from within Canada and the United States," said Minister Aylward. "Although films are not produced with the prime intent of encouraging tourists, they do enhance awareness and appeal to a destination. We are finding that The Shipping News is doing just that. These two evenings in London will further spread the word that Newfoundland and Labrador is a great place to visit."

In Canada, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation has partnered with Maxxim Vacations, CBC-TV, Alliance Atlantis and Indigo - Chapters Books for a national campaign which includes a free trip to the province and front row tickets to a performance of Great Big Sea. In the United States, the department is working with Maxxim and Miramax along with National Amusements Theatres for an onscreen promotion to win a trip to the province and win books and has co-hosted screenings and dinners for media in Los Angeles, New York and Dallas. A similar reception was held in Toronto on December 17 for the Canadian launch of the film.

The launch in the U.K. will feature a reception with a theme reflecting the province. Newfoundland and Labrador promotional material and media kits will also be distributed. Vision and Air Canada are offering the grand prize of a Shipping News tour for two to Newfoundland and Labrador and the province is offering two prizes of 20 lbs. of lobster.

This has been a tremendous year for Newfoundland and Labrador�s film industry. Not only was The Shipping News filmed in the province, but also Random Passage, an eight hour mini-series based on the award winning book by Bernice Morgan, and Rare Birds starring Oscar-winner William Hurt. The Shipping News is expected to do well on the awards circuit and has already earned two Golden Globe nominations including Best Actor for Kevin Spacey.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation has received requests for funding of nearly $2 million and has committed for this fiscal year $450,000 for the development and production of local films. The level of requests for funding speaks volumes to the potential that exists in this lucrative industry.

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2002 01 18                   1:35 p.m.