SASKATOON – The horror-comedy film Wolfcop is set to start production next month in Saskatchewan with the help of an old tax credit.
Wolfcop was named CineCoup’s Film Top Project winner in June at the Banff World Media Festival.
The film was selected to receive up to $1 million in production financing and a guaranteed release in Cineplex theatres.
The movie, by Regina filmmakers Lowell Dean, Bernie Hernando and Hugh Patterson, will be produced by CineCoup.
“I’m a born and bred Saskatchewan filmmaker, so making this movie in my home province is a dream come true, to say the least,” said Dean.
CineCoup CEO J. Joly credits Wolfcop filmmakers and the support of local businesses, media and fans for ensuring the film would be made in Saskatchewan.
“It was always our first choice to shoot in this province and we appreciate the support of both Sask Film and Creative Saskatchewan in making this happen,” said Joly.
The NDP is again calling on the Saskatchewan government to reactivate the film tax credit following a special arrangement that allowed Wolfcop to be filmed with the help of the credit.
The government scrapped the credit in the March 2011 budget, leading to a decrease in opportunities for the province’s film and television industry.
“Wolfcop is proof that the film tax credit is critical when it comes to film production in Saskatchewan,” said NDP culture critic Cathy Sproule.
Sproule also said this one-off arrangement should be seen as an admission by the government that the tax credit works and the same opportunity should be extended to all film productions in Saskatchewan.
Culture Minister Kevin Doherty said this was not a special arrangement — the production company had simply applied before the deadline.
Doherty said there is no question the industry has been affected by the loss of the tax credit but that’s why they set up an alternative called Creative Saskatchewan in July.
Operating as an agent of the Crown, the product development and marketing agency assists all creative industries including music, film, television, interactive digital media, visual arts, writing and live performances.
Wolfcop begins filming Oct. 7 in Regina and Moose Jaw.
With files from The Canadian Press
Comments