It has been a challenging time. Although the 2015 Provincial budget maintained the stability of the OFTTC, it also delivered cuts to the OPSTC and OCASE tax credits. 

The most shocking thing, is that these cuts are to be implemented immediately, with the unintended consequences of upending the legal production agreements currently in place, and jeopardizing our clients' trust in the stability of our jurisdiction. Ontario could face potentially significant job losses. Ontario companies are now facing very challenging business decisions, which we are fighting to avoid.

FilmOntario was in budget lock-up; within minutes of the Budget being distributed, we were talking to the Premier's senior staffers, and senior political and bureaucratic staff from Finance, Treasury and Culture, about our concerns. 

You have reached out to us, and this government - thank you for those letters! Please keep 'em coming! - and made clear that your number one priority is the need to grandfather all projects that were sufficiently advanced by the Budget date, April 23, 2015. 

We have taken this message forward, reporting out to you each day, sometimes twice a day. We know that you have been reaching out to the Premier, various Ministers and MPP's as well, with your message to grandfather existing projects. 

Keep those letters coming; I will be delivering another batch to the government next week.

Our next meeting is Monday. And by Monday afternoon, our Board intends to deliver an Action Plan for you to consider incorporating into your own plans. 

Take care,

Sarah

Sarah Ker-Hornell

CEO & Executive Director 

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It appears that status quo is the best Louisiana film and television industry stakeholders can hope for, as state lawmakers this week sent three proposals to cap the state's incentive program forward for debate. As detailed in the News Star below, the most generous of the proposals would cap production tax credits at $226 million, which is the amount paid out last year, while the other two proposals contain caps of $200 million and $150 million. http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/local/2015/04/28/proposals-cap-states-film-tax-credit-program-move-forward/26551237/ 

The Los Angeles-based trades this week all provided breathless coverage of the 10th Annual California Film Commission breakfast where attendees were full of optimism for production prospects in the state. As detailed in the Hollywood Reporter below, there is a strong sense of anticipation of the expansion of state tax credits from $100 million a year to $330 million annually beginning this July. 

Streaming service Hulu stepped up its competition with Amazon and Netflix, announcing this week that it has struck a deal with AMC to acquire all episodes of an upcoming series being spun off from The Walking Dead. As reported in Variety below, Hulu has been on a tear in recent months, having secured Empire — the No. 1 new show on TV this season — and CBS’ long-running stalwart CSI, as well as exclusive output deals for select future shows from FX Networks and Turner Broadcasting’s TNT, TBS, Adult Swim and Cartoon Network.

Ontario continues to be a hotbed for Interactive Digital Media. The Financial Post this week took a look at how OMDC support and a top tier educational pipeline have allowed locally-based games creators like Big Viking Games, Capybara Games and Drinkbox Studios to grow and thrive.

 Finally this week, congratulations to Ontario's Sinking Ship Entertainment. As detailed in Playback below, the Toronto-based company took home three Daytime Emmy awards for its series Odd Squad and Dino Dan: Trek’s Adventures.