News
July 14, 2017
July 11 FilmOntario Update
UPDATE
Tax Credit Processing Times
As you know, FilmOntario has been working on Tax Credit streamlining and modernization issues as part of the Minister’s Film and Television Advisory Panel. Tax Credit processing times continue to be an important issue across all the credits.
While the time it takes to review an application has decreased by 30% in the past year, the overall volume of applications continues to increase, meaning that wait times before applications are reviewed have also increased – and it takes longer to get your projects certified. We have been working with the Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the OMDC to find additional solutions to address these wait times.
As a result of this work, the OMDC will be piloting some new measures over the coming months, including:
- Revising business processes and procedures based on risk rating; and
- Implementing a firm 30-day time limit for applicants to submit required information for applications filed with incomplete documentation, after which the file will be closed.
The OMDC and the Advisory Panel will be monitoring the impact of these measures on an ongoing basis. We can all do our part to make the process go more smoothly by ensuring that Tax Credit applications are as complete and accurate as possible at the time of submission, and by responding to application queries as promptly as possible.
More information on Tax Credit processing times and the pilot measures can be found in the OMDC newsletter. We will continue to work with the Advisory Panel on other measures to streamline and modernize the Tax Credits – stay tuned!
Update on Action Regarding CRTC Group-based Licence Renewals
We have been asking you and your members and employees to sign the House of Commons petition highlighting the industry's concerns with the recent CRTC Group Licence Decision, which reduces the amount that Canada’s large broadcasters are required to spend on Programs of National Interest (PNI). The petition is still online (in English here and in French here) and we encourage you to keep spreading the word.
FilmOntario has also sent a letter to all Ontario MPPs, informing them of our concerns with this decision and asking them to reach out to Minister Mélanie Joly to encourage her and the Governor in Council to set aside these decisions, or send them back to the CRTC for reconsideration. The CMPA has been working with provincial industry associations across the country to ensure that similar letters are being submitted nationwide; at FilmOntario we let our MPs know that, since 39% of film and television production volume happens in Ontario, these decisions could have a significant impact here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Industry Program Information
With support from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Music & Film in Motion's Sneak Peek Screening Series is designed to see cast, crew, service providers and community leaders that hosted a Northern Ontario film production reunite to view the film that was created in their town or region. Representatives of a film production created in Northern Ontario can apply for a maximum amount of $5,000 to help facilitate the screening. A maximum of 25% of this approved funding will be made available leading up to the screening. This program is designed to support screenings prior to a film’s release to the general public.
For the first time, OMDC will be supporting one Ontario screenwriter to attend the eQuinoxe Europe International Screenwriter Workshop. Ontario writers with a script attached to an Ontario production company can apply. One Ontario participant/production will be selected, and OMDC will provide limited travel support for the producer to attend the end of the workshop. Preference will be given to an Ontario project with diverse elements; the dimensions of diversity include, but are not limited to, ancestry, culture, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, language, physical and intellectual ability, race, religion (creed), sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. Applications are to be sent directly to eQuinoxe and questions about the OMDC support should be sent directly to the OMDC. The submission deadline is July 27, 2017.
Still Coming Soon: Member Survey
As you will recall from the AGM (and as I have been promising all year), in 2017 we are planning to survey members on employment and other economic indicators, in order to support FilmOntario’s ongoing work in improving industry data that is being done in conjunction with the Minister’s Advisory Panel on Film and Television. Watch your inboxes this summer for this important survey – and please fill it out when you get it! We can’t complete this important project without your help.