News

Over $3.3 Million for Local Film and TV Projects

More, Lights, Camera, and Action in the Region

NIPISSING – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is investing $3,370,238 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for eight film and television projects in our region. This investment will help create industry jobs, showcase northern talent, and increase the quality of films and TV series produced in Northern Ontario.

“With these investments, we are contributing to the region’s reputation as a top film and TV production centre in Canada,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “Our government is committed to strengthening this growing local industry because these investments create jobs, develop homegrown talent and support other businesses in the area.”

The following NOHFC Film projects include:

• $500,000 for Be Mine Productions to produce the Hallmark film I’m Glad It’s Christmas, in North Bay
• $500,000 for HP Drive-In Productions Inc. to produce the Hallmark film Christmas Drive-in, in North Bay
• $500,000 for HP Into Winter Productions Inc. to produce the holiday movie Fall Into Winter, in North Bay
• $500,000 for Love Song H22D Inc. to produce the made-for-TV movie Writing A Love Song, in North Bay
• $500,000 for Motel WFTBU Inc. to produce the feature film We Forgot To Break Up, in North Bay
• $440,238 for Whimper Productions Inc. to produce the feature film Civil, in North Bay
• $280,000 for New Tang Dynasty Television to produce the two-episode television series The Royal Welch Chen Jones, in North Bay
• $150,000 for The Time We Met Productions Inc. to produce the feature film Mockingbird, in Whitney

“Northern Ontario has become for our movie and television production company the new gateway to Canadian multiculturalism. Northerners are welcoming, bilingual, enthusiastic and incredibly hardworking. In North Bay, we’ve had the opportunity to work with local cast and crew who hail from all parts of the globe and who have brought skills and expertise that fashion a fantastic product.” – Joel Etienne, Director of The Royal Welch Chen Jones.

“Over the years, the NOHFC has allowed Northerners such as myself to stay at home and help create a new and exciting industry in Northern Ontario. This funding is essential to developing new and exciting jobs for the youth of our region, keeping them at home to work and live. Premier Ford, Minister Fedeli and Minister Rickford have been champions for the film industry in North Bay and throughout all of Ontario. Their hard work has helped create thousands of jobs at home while attracting hundreds of millions to our economy.” – David Anselmo, President of Production, Hideaway Pictures.

“Mockingbird, quite simply, could not have been made without the support of the NOHFC. The gorgeous scenery of Algonquin Park is essentially a key character in our film, and we can’t wait for the world to see this beautiful, remote corner of Northern Ontario up on the big screen.” – Jonas Chernick, Actor, Writer and Producer of Mockingbird.

“The NOHFC has been a collaborative production partner and an overall asset to the We Forgot To Break Up production phase. Shooting in North Bay, Ontario with Northern crew and vendors went smoothly.” – Nicole Hilliard-Forde, Producer.

“We are pleased to be in partnership with the NOHFC on Writing A Love Song. Their support and the tremendous crews in the North allow us to bring the creative on this film to its fullest potential.” – Jesse Ikeman, Producer.

“The NOHFC has created a wonderful platform to allow indie filmmakers the opportunity to tell their unique stories with amazing film infrastructure and beautiful landscapes to support their vision. For this reason, our film Civil was fortunate enough to have some of the best crews, locations, resources, and talent all be part of our team and bring this beautiful and diverse story to life. Northern Ontario truly is the Hollywood of the north, and we are excited to return in the future with our next film.” – Yas Taalat, Producer of Civil.

“Thank you to the NOHFC and Minister Fedeli for the continued support of our Film and Television Projects in Northern Ontario. It is through this support we can continue to grow the industry and contribute to the economic development in our region. With the steady growth, now more than ever this support allows us the opportunity to do more training. I love filming in the North not only because I am from here, but because it offers a lot of diversity both in locations and landscapes as well as talent.” – Micheline Blais, President of Cast North, Producer of Fall into Winter.

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $608 million in 5,070 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.93 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 8,100 jobs.

Quick Facts

• In 2021, the Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the north.
• The NOHFC’s Cultural Supports Program showcases Northern Ontario culture, geography and talent through event partnerships and support for the production of films and TV series.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres are available to support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and assist in accessing government funding programs.