P.E.I. filmmaker wants government to introduce rebates

A P.E.I. filmmaker is calling onthe provincial government to implement an across-the-boardincentiveprogram to help the film industryflourish in the province.

"Right now we have a lot of very persistent, very talented filmmakers but in terms of a film industry it's virtually non-existent because we don't have a rebate program," said Jenna MacMillan.

P.E.I. is one of two provinces Saskatchewan being the other that doesn't offer a tax incentive program for aspiring filmmakers. The province does, however, offer other forms oflabour incentives on a case-by-case basis.

P.E.I. 'non-competitive'

MacMillan said the lack of a rebate or incentive program"makes us non-competitive in terms of broadcast sales or healthy sized budget levels."

She added that that'sthe reason why someone like her spends most of her time in Toronto "where there is a fully functioning film industry."

MacMillan said a tax credit for the film industry would benefit other sectors as well.

"Something that is very unique about the film industry is that it touches several industries," she said. "It's very lucrative it's this powerful machine that requires so many moving parts."

Film summit

MacMillan plans to attend a film summit taking place on Monday at the Old Triangle to discuss government incentives further and to gauge interestin the P.E.I. film industry.

"If we had the support of the government in terms of some kind of a labour rebate, and we also had a strong base of storytellers, which we do, we'd have a real shot to bring in a show like Anne or a show like Republic of Doyle [to P.E.I.]," she said.

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