News
February 3, 2022
January 25 FilmOntario Update
Ontario Green Screen Community Meeting – Tonight!
Ontario Green Screen (OGS) is holding its first community meeting of 2022 at 7:00 pm tonight.
OGS brings everyone in the industry who is interested in sustainable production together. We gather on a quarterly basis to provide program updates, share stories and best practices, and build community. OGS Community meetings are hosted on Zoom, and all interested individuals are invited to attend.
The theme of this meeting is Circularity in Production. Please join us to learn more about reuse and the sharing of costume, props, and construction materials and how this contributes to advancing the circular economy. We will also be sharing updates on numerous OGS initiatives from the April 2021 strategic plan.
Registration for tonight’s meeting can be found here.
And don’t forget, OGS offers FREE Climate & Sustainable Production Training and a free Carbon Calculator Tool for members of Ontario’s screen-based industries.
Gradual Lifting of Public Health Restrictions
Last Thursday the Province of Ontario announced that, beginning January 31, 2022, public health measures would gradually be eased, including increasing gathering limits and permitting a return to indoor dining (with capacity limits). Enhanced proof of vaccination, and other requirements, will continue to apply.
Assuming there are no concerning trends in public health, the province will follow a phased approach to lifting more public health measures, with 21 days between each step. As the regulations are updated, you will be able to find them here.
Adherence to the film and television industry’s Section 21 Guidelines continues to be required. We would like to thank all our members following health and safety protocols and making sure our workplaces continue to be safe places for everyone in the industry, even as we have dealt with the most recent wave of the pandemic.
City of Toronto Film Permit Fees
In 2022, the City of Toronto's Film Office will be implementing film permit fees in order to be adequately resourced to continue offering the highest-level of service to productions in Toronto and scale up workforce development, diversity and sustainability initiatives most needed in the sector. The new fee structure is scheduled to take effect April 1, 2022.
The fee structure will be as follows:
Tier 1 (Features, Series, Mini-Series, Pilots): Registration $100; Grid Permit $100; Location Permit $300; Parks Permit $200
Tier 2 (Commercials, Documentaries, Reality Television, Music Videos, Short Films): Registration $100; Grid Permit $100; Location Permit $150; Parks Permit $200
Tier 3 (Local News, Student Films): No fees other than for road closures
Road Closure Permit Fees (all Tiers): $500
The online film permit fees system will be a part of FilmPal, the current film permit portal used by all productions operating in Toronto, and payment will be done online. For more information or questions, please contact filmtoronto@toronto.ca.
Work in Culture – Catalyst and Transformation Fund
December, Work In Culture, with support from the City of Toronto and the Metcalf Foundation, launch the Catalyst and Transformation (CAT) Fund.
This fund is targeted to Toronto-based (postal code M) creative organizations, including small creative industry companies (under two million in revenues), and is designed to support restructuring, mergers, structured partnerships, hibernations and wind-downs. It will offer funding to support exploration of options (for example, enabling hiring legal, business or financial consultants) and implementation once a decision is made.
For more information see the Work In Culture website.
Telefilm Project Financing Advisory Committees
External Advisory Committee members work with Telefilm’s feature film team to evaluate eligible projects and make recommendations to Telefilm in line with the programs’ objectives and evaluation criteria. Advisory Committees ensure a collaborative evaluation process, and draw on each committees’ collective levels of expertise and perspectives.
Telefilm is seeking external Advisory Committee members who can contribute to the evaluation of projects within the following programs: Production, Development, Theatrical Documentary, and Talent to Watch.
There is currently a general call for applications to sit on the Committees. For more information about eligibility and responsibilities, as well as the application process, please check here.
Reminders for MembersDon’t forget to send me a copy of your logo or photo that represents your company to be featured in our member directory on the new website.
The Filming Is Good Business Campaign has started, with a new business featured every Wednesday on the FilmOntario Twitter feed. If you have a favourite location or business that you think should be highlighted in this campaign, it’s not too late to let me know!
News to Share?If there are any updates or announcements you would like to share with your fellow FilmOntario members, please don’t hesitate to let me know at clynch@filmontario.ca and I will include them in the next member update.