NORTH BAY – The Ontario government is providing more than $4.4 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) towards six film production projects in North Bay. This investment will create local jobs and help raise the profile of the film and television industry in Northern Ontario.

“Our government is proud to continue providing targeted investments to support the film and television industry in Northern Ontario, which continues to create good jobs and develop skilled local talent,” said Vic Fedeli, Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing. “Today’s funding is helping solidify the North’s reputation as a first-rate production centre in North America and the world.”

Film productions funded through the NOHFC include:

• $2 million for Great Productions (Ontario) Inc. to produce the film, “Everything’s Going to be Great” in partnership with Amaze Film + Television Inc. and Everything Great Holdings, LLC., that follows the story of a struggling small-town, family-run theater and stars Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy-winner Allison Janney and Oscar-nominee and Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston
• $500,000 for Hideaway Pictures Inc. to produce the film “Christmas By Chance,” which follows a newly single woman who accepts an invitation meant for someone else, and $500,000 to produce “Harvest Homecoming,” a romantic story that follows a substitute teacher who moves back to the family farm
• $500,000 for KM Windmill Love Productions Inc. to produce “Christmas on Windmill Way,” a holiday story about a woman’s attempts to save a historic windmill from a hotel development, and $500,000 for HP Styled Christmas Productions to produce “Royally Styled for Christmas,” which follows the story of an assistant manager of an upscale boutique who is roped into being the personal stylist of a visiting duke
• $415,000 for Other Animal Entertainment Inc. to produce the feature film “Noble & the Kid,” a story of a man with troubled past who must take over custody of his friend’s child after a tragic accident

“With targeted investments through the NOHFC, our government continues to put Northern Ontario’s emerging film and television sector on the map, driving the local economy and creating employment opportunities in the North,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “We have a world-class production destination here in the North, and we are proud to support today’s film projects.”

“NOHFC-funded film productions in Northern Ontario help highlight the region as a top film and TV location in Canada,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “This investment will encourage others to film in the North, showcasing the region’s beauty while creating jobs and boosting local economies.”

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $724 million in 6,060 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 9,440 jobs.

Quick Facts

• The Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the North.

• The NOHFC’s Cultural Supports Program showcases Northern Ontario culture, geography and talent through event partnerships and support for the production of films and TV series.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices
  and Small Business Enterprise Centres are available to support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and assist in accessing government funding programs.

Quotes

“We are very connected to the North, having produced several returning series like Carter and The Lake over the years, and will continue to be a huge supporter of Northern Ontario. Thanks to the backing of MPP Fedeli, Mayor Chirico and the NOHFC, we’re able to continue contributing to the region’s growth with projects that support the Northern ecosystem.” – Alex Lalonde, Producer, Amaze Film + Television Inc.

“On behalf of Astute Films, we are grateful to NOHFC for its incredible support which made it possible for us to film in this awesome community. The beautiful scenery, the talented local crew and the friendly and hospitable people have made filming here a terrific experience. We are proud to showcase the beauty of Northern Ontario and contribute to the growth of the local film industry. Go Battalions!” – Astute Films

“We’re proud to film in Northern Ontario, which offers a unique and captivating setting for ‘Everything’s Going to Be Great.’ None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of the NOHFC, our Canadian producing partners Amaze, as well as Clubhouse Pictures, Astute Films and the tireless work of our talented filmmakers, cast and crew.” – eOne Features LLC

“Over the years, the NOHFC has allowed northerners like myself to stay at home and help create a new and exciting industry in Northern Ontario. This funding is essential to developing new and exciting jobs for the youth of our region, keeping them at home to work and live. Minister Fedeli has been a champion of the film industry in North Bay and throughout all of Ontario. His hard work has helped create thousands of jobs at home while attracting hundreds of millions to our economy.” – David Anselmo, President of Production, Hideaway Pictures

“It’s fantastic to be filming in Northern Ontario once again. The ongoing support from the NOHFC and the local cast and crews continues to make Northern Ontario a world-class destination for productions.” – Ryan Keller, Producer, Noble & the Kid

Media Contacts

Curtis Lindsay
Minister Rickford’s Office — Curtis.Lindsay@ontario.ca

437-240-7317

Media Desk
Communications Branch — mediadesk.ndm@ontario.ca