Despite pandemic, film industry has record year

Greater Victoria’s film industry had a banner year in 2020, despite physical productions closing down for a portion of the year. The Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission reports that a rush of new productions resulted in $55 million in direct spending — almost triple the previous record of $20 million.

The province’s film and digital media industry generates $3.2 billion annually, employing more than 71,000 British Columbians.

The Island’s film commissioner, Kathleen Gilbert, told the Victoria News that the commission has more than 800 crew in its South Island database.

“Anyone with experience would have been able to work full time since production resumed in July of last year,” Gilbert said.

The health of the film industry has been especially beneficial for tourism businesses hard hit by the pandemic.

“Certainly, given the impact on tourism that COVID has had, this is very welcome business and almost a lifeline for some of these hotels,” Bill Lewis, Chair of the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria, states in the film commission’s 2020 Annual Report.