Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
July 26, 2016
Supporting Our Film Industry
Newfoundland Independent Film Cooperative Receives Cultural Funding Grant
The province’s film industry continues to flourish thanks to the efforts of film organizations such as the Newfoundland Independent Film Cooperative (NIFCO) – an artist run organization that provides resources for emerging and established media artists in the province. NIFCO has received $65,000 in operational support through the Provincial Government’s Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP).
“NIFCO plays a crucial role in the growth, development and success of the province’s film community. As a government, we are pleased to support the organization’s First-Time Filmmaker and Picture Start programs, film classes, as well as a range of essential hands-on professional development opportunities to artists working in the film sector.”
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Established in 1975, NIFCO provides filmmakers with access to the means of film production by:
- Renting specialized gear, such as lighting kits and sound recording equipment;
- Serving as a post-production house;
- Renting picture, sound, and animation editing suites to filmmakers and production companies
“The funding that NIFCO receives from CEDP is essential in enabling us to deliver our flagship training programs. These programs have helped launched the careers of many of our most talented young filmmakers currently working in the industry.”
- Jennice Ripley, President, NIFCO Board of Directors
At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Touch – a project of the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Cooperative, starring local actors Darryl Hopkins and Krystin Pellerin, was presented with the Jury Choice Award at the Diversity Short Film Showcase. The film was also was featured at the closing of the 2016 Nickel Independent Film Festival held in St. John’s last month. For more information about NIFCO, visit: www.nifco.org/ 
The film and television industry is an economic generator in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation has reported 2015-16 was ‘the best year ever’ for the film and television industry in the province. Total production activity reached a volume of $45.8 million, which included two television series and five feature films, providing more than 600 full-time employment equivalencies (direct, indirect and induced) were created by local companies in the film and television industry last year alone. On average, over 70 per cent of the funds used to make large‐scale film and television productions are leveraged from outside Newfoundland and Labrador.
QUICK FACTS
- Newfoundland Independent Film Cooperative (NIFCO) has received $65,000 in operational support through the Provincial Government’s Cultural Economic Development Program.
- For more information about NIFCO, visit: www.nifco.org/
- Funding is provided through CEDP which provides operational support to arts sector
- organizations to stimulate sustainable economic development of the province's cultural resources.
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Media contact:
|
Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Jennice Ripley President NIFCO Board of Directors 753-6121 jennice@nifco.org |
2016 07 26 10:50 a.m.