Movie studio in works for Ottawa

Ottawamay be getting a new film and television production studio after Invest Ottawachose a potential builder in Toronto's Cinespace Film Studios.

Cinespace has produced dozens of films on a 50-acre stage in Toronto, including Chicago, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Good Will Hunting and X-Men.

"So these folks know how to bring in the Hollywood production companies," said Invest Ottawa spokesman Blair Patacairk.

The company will spend the coming months figuring out what size and type of production studio would best suit Ottawa. Invest Ottawa and Cinespace are still negotiating and will likely sign a contract in the next few months.

Invest Ottawa has been trying to entice production companies to shoot here, said Patacairk.

He said he joined the city's film commissioner on a trip to Hollywood last month to meet with Disney, Warner Brothers and Sony.

"We were talking about what Ottawa was like in terms of landscape here and they are interested enough to start looking at it as an alternative to come and do business," he said.