From yay or nay to lights, camera, action. City councillors have unanimously voted to help attract more film and television production to Lethbridge.
The move, brought forward through Economic Development Lethbridge, provides budgets for both parties as they look to push the city into focus.
“This is exciting news for our community and I am thrilled at the possibilities it could bring to our city and region in the coming years,” says Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “We know Alberta has been a hub for film and TV production in recent years and this initiative will really help put Lethbridge on the map and help drive future economic growth.”
Carly Kleisinger, Director of Community Services, says the initiative will hopefully spark the development of creative services in the city.
“With a focus on film, television,and digital content creation, we look forward to moving this forward with Economic Development Lethbridge,” says Kleisinger.
A city employee will be required to develop and coordinate the groundwork needed and an external position at Economic Development Lethbridge will focus on some external community relations, marketing, and getting the film industry to Lethbridge.
“There has been a lot happening in film and television production in Alberta over the last few years,” says Trevor Lewington, Chief Executive Officer for EDL. Economic Development Lethbridge will be working with local creative industries including film, television, streaming, virtual reality and gaming to better understand the barriers to growth that these local businesses face and how we can help them grow.”
Opportunity Lethbridge and Economic Development Lethbridge will come back to council with annual reports which would include updates on the term positions and what work has been completed to date. Both term investments would be reviewed and considered for the continuation of a long-term or more permanent capacity for the next operating budget.
The city will still use a consultant report from Winged Whale Media as a guide for any future work.
Previous productions in Lethbridge include HBO’s The Last of Us, an Amazing Race Canada episode, RV, Rollerball and Days of Heaven.