Saskatchewan Film is a Growing Industry

SMPIA Helps Producers Succeed in the Motion Picture Industry

Sep 23, 2009

The Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry Association (SMPIA) has helped the province's film and television production industry reach record growth levels.

SMPIA is dedicated to helping the Saskatchewan film industry grow by helping producers make and exhibit film, video, and interactive media. Production volumes have grown from $17 million in 1999 to almost $62 million in 2009, according to SMPIA’s website. The five-year average for the industry is about $56-million.

Advocacy Generates Jobs in the Film Industry

Established in 1985, SMPIA is a non-profit organization that helps provide opportunities in the production, promotion, and appreciation of motion pictures in Saskatchewan. SMPIA benefits all industry personnel, from beginners to professionals.

“Typically our activities revolve around issues and advocacy,” says Vanessa Bonk, executive director. “We take on national issues, but we also take on the provincial advocacy role on behalf of the members.”

SMPIA champions a world-class, production-friendly environment where members of the Saskatchewan film and television industry can flourish. With the production of successful television shows like Corner Gas and Little Mosque on the Prairie, SMPIA has helped make Saskatchewan “a household name,” says Bonk.

“We’re trying to bring some awareness to the talent that exists in the province, and to the great projects that come from that creativity,” she explains. “In doing so I think we can generate some pride for the world-renowned industry here in Saskatchewan, and take some credit for some of the help we’ve been towards putting Saskatchewan on the map.”

SMPIA’s advocacy goal is to keep the provincial film and television industry and its producers financially sustainable year-round. This helps create jobs that retain youth and attract high-profile projects like international co-productions. In 2008-2009, according to a sector report, production stimulated nearly $75 million in economic activity and created over 1,200 jobs in Saskatchewan.

More than 25 production companies call Saskatchewan home, while their projects are screening in Canada, and over 175 countries worldwide. In 2008/09, Saskatchewan producers completed 40 projects, created 129 hours of programming, and won over 40 national or international awards.

Highly visible film and television productions help raise the province’s international profile as a Canadian business partner. Saskatchewan has a strong reputation for award-winning documentaries such as Crime Stories and The Re-Inventors (Partners in Motion), or Mad Cow Sacred Cow (Karma Film). SMPIA's website lists many projects, such as the animated children’s series Wapos Bay (Dark Thunder Productions and Karma Film), television mini-series The Englishman’s Boy (Minds Eye Entertainment), television series Rabbit Fall (Angel Entertainment), and feature films.

The copyright of the article Saskatchewan Film is a Growing Industry in Entertainment Companies is owned by Marie Powell Mendenhall. Permission to republish Saskatchewan Film is a Growing Industry in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.