10 September 2004 Halifax, Nova Scotia Upwards of 125 film and television industry representatives from across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland will gather in Halifax from September 17-19, 2004 to discuss business and production partnerships at the Atlantic Film Festival's Strategic Partners co-production conference. Since 1998 the Strategic Partners co-production conference has been the key business development event of the nine-day festival. This year's conference, held with support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), will bring the region's film and television industry together with international producers, distributors, financiers, potential investors, and broadcasters. The Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of ACOA, said the Agency is proud to invest in this conference and the region's growing industry. "Between 1998 and 2003, film and television production in Atlantic Canada grew by 11 percent while foreign location shooting here grew by 57 percent, meaning increased revenues and job creation throughout the region. This professional gathering is an opportunity to build on this growth and showcase the capabilities of the industry in Atlantic Canada." Gregor Ash, Executive Director of the Atlantic Film Festival Association, agrees that this event is an opportunity to build a stronger, more profitable industry in Atlantic Canada. "Strategic Partners provides the perfect arena for Atlantic Canadians to meet producers from other parts of Canada and around the world, forge co- production partnerships and share creative ideas. When the resources of more than one country are pooled, projects benefit financially and creatively, production quality increases and broader markets can be achieved." The panelists at this year's conference comprise a "who's who" of the Canadian and international film industry, including Anthony Bregman of New York's This is that corp., Alex Raffe of Toronto's Savi Media, Tristan Orpen Lynch of Ireland's Subotica Films, Ralph Holt of Telefilm Canada, Hannah Leader of UK's Capitol Films, and Noreen Halpern of Los Angeles' Blueprint Entertainment. ACOA's investment of $232,367 in the conference will help cover the costs of marketing, networking activities, and workshops for regional producers and incoming international delegates. This investment is expected to generate positive returns for the region. Last year's Strategic Partners conference resulted in over $10 million in contracts for Atlantic Canada's film and television industry. The 24th Atlantic Film Festival, September 17-25, is a nine- day celebration of film and video from Atlantic Canada, Canada and around the world. The Festival is recognized as one of the premier events of its kind in the country and is the foremost marketing and international trade event for the region's film and television industry. FOR BROADCAST USE: Upwards of 125 film and television industry representatives from across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland will gather in Halifax, September 17-19, to discuss business and production partnerships at the Atlantic Film Festival's Strategic Partners co-production conference. The conference, held with support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), will bring key representatives from Canada's film and television industry together with international producers, distributors, financiers, potential investors, and broadcasters. The Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of ACOA, says the Agency is proud to invest in this event and to support the region's film and television industry. He added that between 1998 and 2003, film and television production in Atlantic Canada grew by 11 percent and foreign location shooting here grew by 57 percent and that Strategic Partners is an opportunity to build on this growth and showcase the capabilities of this important industry in Atlantic Canada. - 30 - You can learn more about Strategic Partners by visiting: http://www.atlanticfilm.com/sp_index.php For more information, contact: Ron Crozier Office of the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (902) 888-4150 Michael A. MacInnis Senior Communications Officer Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (506) 851-2133 Nicola Hanson Strategic Partners Conference Publicist Telefilm Canada (902) 426-1766
