Alberta Minister of Economic Development announces increase to AFDP funding

November 24, 2006 - In a letter to Alan Brooks, Executive Director of the Alberta Motion Pictures Industry Association, the Minister of Economic Development announced that $12.5 million in additional funding has been allocated to address the current pressures faced by the Alberta Film Development Program (AFDP).

The AFDP underwent major changes when it first migrated from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to the Department of Economic Development in April 2006. Most notably, ownership of a production by an Alberta producer is no longer required to qualify for an AFDP grant.

The transition caused an existing backlog to increase as more applicants became eligible for funding under the program. Now that additional funds have been committed, the Minister has asked that the AFDP begin preparing payment documents for the $12.5 million in backlog to be released. The additional funds are expected to become available to the AFDP for release in March 2007.


Saskatchewan legislature passes Bill 27 proposing changes to Film Employment Tax Credit Act

November 13, 2006 - A new bill introduced in Saskatchewan proposes an amendment that will affect the 5% rural bonus currently available to productions shooting outside Regina and Saskatoon. The proposed changes will not affect the basic 45% Saskatchewan Film Employment Labour credit.

Currently, the 5% rural bonus is calculated on the total production cost. If Bill 27 comes into force, the 5% bonus would be calculated on the total production cost less the amount paid to non-Saskatchewan residents who are "deemed" to be Saskatchewan residents by virtue of meeting certain criteria listed in the Act's regulations.

In calculating the 5% bonus, the non-Saskatchewan residents' labour would be deducted from the total production cost. The end result of the proposed bill coming into force is that the "deemed" Saskatchewan resident labour would still be eligible for the basic 45% credit, but would not be eligible for the 5% rural bonus.

It is not known when the legislature plans to give its assent to Bill 27.

For further information, please contact Rob Dobier or David Carter at 416-923-9255.

EP Canada and Canada Film Capital are very pleased to announce a 2010 Winter Olympics Sponsorship Initiative.

Anticipation is mounting for Canada to host the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler in 2010. The Canadian Olympic Committee's "Own the Podium - 2010" initiative heightens expectations for Canadian Winter Olympic athletes to successfully compete against international, world-class athletes, many of whom come from countries who support training and competition more fully than has been the tradition in Canada.

We are out to help change the tradition.

We are proud and excited to introduce to you two Canadian athletes - sister and brother Britt and Michael Janyk - who EPC and CFC will support on their journey to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games as we launch our companies' grassroots contribution to the Canada's Olympic movement.

These BC-born alpine skiers are members of our Canada's National Ski Team. Britt and Michael exude passion for the sport and are determined to be racing and winning at Whistler in the 2010 Olympics. We'll have rare insight into the determination of Olympic hopefuls and the opportunity to see our contribution at work. Check back for updates on Britt and Michael as we cheer for their success.

http://www.brittjanyk.com/
http://www.mikejanyk.com/

Alberta announces changes to the Alberta Film Development Program

Effective April 1, 2006 responsibility for the Alberta Film Development Program (AFDP) migrated from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to the Alberta Economic Development (AED), Industry and Regional Development Division.

As part of the transition, the Program has undergone some changes with respect to its guidelines, eligibility criteria and application process. Most notably, ownership of a production by an Alberta producer is no longer required to qualify for the Program.

The Program is now accessible through three distinct funding streams. The level of contribution increases with Albertan ownership and the employment of Albertan key creative personnel:

Essentially, the AFDP will contribute between 14 and 23 percent of all eligible expenses incurred in Alberta to a maximum of $1.5 million.

For further information, please contact Rob Dobier or David Carter at 416-923-9255.

Both British Columbia and Ontario have announced extensions of their tax credit programs

March 2, 2006 - On January 20th, 2006 British Columbia extended their existing credit of 18% to the end of 2008. This was followed on February 9th with Ontario extending their 18% credit to the end of March 2007. Both of these credits are for the Production Services Tax Credit programs.

Both provinces have also extended their domestic credits of 30%. The British Columbia credit will be extended to the end of December, 2008, and the Ontario credit has been extended for 5 years.


These tax credit extensions were announced so that both provinces can remain competitive in the marketplace both nationally and internationally.


For further information please contact Cheryl Nex in Vancouver at 604-987-2292 or Rob Dobier in Toronto at 416-923-9255.

Entertainment Partners Canada and Canada Film Capital

January 11, 2006 - Mark Prior, Chief Executive Officer of Rainmaker Income Fund (TSX: RNK.un) today announced management changes at both EP Canada Limited Partnership (dba Entertainment Partners Canada ("EPC") and Canada Film Capital Limited Partnership ("CFC"). The new management structures at both these companies position them for continued leadership in the Canadian film and television industry.

Effective February 1, 2006:

- Cheryl Nex, promoted to President of EPC
- Kevin Gordon, appointed Chief Technology Officer for EPC and CFC
- David Carter, promoted to President of CFC

As the leading provider of proprietary payroll services and production management software to the film and television industry, EPC is pleased to advance Cheryl Nex to her new position as President. “Entertainment Partners Canada is uniquely positioned as an industry leader in Canada and I am excited to be the one leading our talented team as we grow and expand,” said Nex.

An industry veteran, Cheryl Nex has been with EPC since 1989 and previously held the position of Executive Vice President where she managed the day-to-day operations for the Vancouver office and payroll operations coast to coast.

CFC is Canada’s premier provider of production management services for tax credit funding and administration. David Carter has been an invaluable member of the CFC team since 1997 and previously held the position of Vice President, Finance of EPC and CFC.

“I’m honoured to be appointed President of Canada Film Capital. We are the only business in Canada offering tax credit financing, management and administration services to the film and television industry,” said Carter. “We have a strong team at CFC and as industry leaders we are committed to meeting and exceeding client expectations.”

Rounding out the EPC management team, Sante Cardinale has been appointed Vice President of Operations effective today. Mr. Cardinale’s depth of industry knowledge, having more than five years experience in the industry and previous work experience with Canada Revenue Agency, is expected to enhance EPC’s day-to-day payroll and tax operations.


EPC and CFC are wholly owned subsidiaries of Rainmaker Income Fund along with Rainmaker Limited Partnership, western Canada's leading post production and visual effects facility.


Entertainment Partners Canada (EPC) (www.epcanada.com) is Canada's leading provider of proprietary payroll services and production management software to the film and television industry. EPC provides a complete range of production-related financial services to the motion picture and television industry, from initial planning, estimating and budgeting through payroll, tax filing; creator of the powerful EP On Location® payroll software; exclusive distributor of EP Budgeting, Scheduling and Vista™, in addition to Movie Magic software. EP Canada's clients include all major studios and independents.

Canada Film Capital (CFC) (www.canadafilmcapital.com) is Canada's premier provider of production management services for tax credit funding and administration. CFC provides immediate access to both Federal and Provincial Production Services Tax Credits. CFC handles all administration and/or financing, from filing for initial certification approval, through tax audits and other corporate and tax matters. CFC is one of Canada's most respected advisors on taxation, union, and government regulations for the entertainment industry.

-30-


For more information please contact:

Melanie Turner
Courtney Rainey Group
416-815-9100 ext. 224
416-575-4559 (cell)
melanie@courtneyraineygroup.com

Nova Scotia increase their Tax Credits

March 8, 2005 - Nova Scotia announced Mar 8, 2005 an increase in their Production Services Tax Credits (PSTC)

The Nova Scotia PSTC is now 35% up from 30% for productions in downtown Halifax and for areas 30 kilometres or more from the city core, tax credit increases to 40% up from 35%. These increased rates are retroactive to January 1,2005.

In addition, a frequent-film bonus of 5% is being introduced. The frequent-film bonus can be accessed on the third project (and on any project thereafter) by those companies shooting more than two projects in the two year period beginning January 1, 2004

This follows the previously announced increases for BC, Ontario and Quebec.

The PSTC for:
BC is now 18% up from 11%,
Ontario is now 18% up from 11%,
Quebec is now 20% up from 11%,

Also BC and Ontario have increased their domestic tax credit to 30% up from 20%.

For more information please refer to the news releases on our affiliate's website, Comweb Film Capital Corporation.

For Nova Scotia: http://www.comwebcapital.com/ns_cfccupdate.htm
For BC: http://www.comwebcapital.com/bcgov_update.htm
For Ontario: http://www.comwebcapital.com/govupdate.htm
For Quebec: http://www.comwebcapital.com/qgov_update.htm

Or contact Rob Dobier or David Carter in our Toronto office, 416-923-9255

News | 2007 Archive | 2006 Archive