Atlantic Film Festival gala to see return of Communities Minister Tony Ince

Nova Scotia's Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage Tony Ince will be at Thursday's opening of the Atlantic Film Festival after all.

Ince told festival officials Thursday morning he wouldn't be available to speak at the opening gala. His deputy minister was going in his place because he had a family commitment.

But by noon, Ince had resolved his personal issue and was planning to do what he did last year and officially help kick off the week-long celebration of film and filmmaking in the region.

The 35th anniversary of the festival comes just months after the governing Liberals slashed the amount of funding those who film in the province can apply to receive from the Nova Scotia government.

There have been noisy demonstrations against the cut and many in the industry have continued to voice their anger over it.

Ince got a warm reception to his speech last year and he hoped to get a similar welcome this year.

"I can't speculate on how the people are going to react," he said. "I hope so but if not then it is what it is."

Despite the cut, Ince said the province does value filmmaking.

"We do support everything that they do," said the minister.

Hints of more industry negotiations

As for the impact the budget cut has had on the industry, Ince reluctantly admitted it had hurt.

"I haven't really looked at all the numbers to see, and everything is not in concretely to see that it is a negative impact," he said. "It will have some negative impact as we've known right now there are no major films coming in at this moment."

• Screen Nova Scotia meets with province to talk about industry losses

The minister hinted at more negotiations on the horizon between industry representatives and the province.

"I don't know what's in the queue, where they're going with it. I'm not part of that but it's my hope as a person who values this industry we continue to work together with everyone and we all come up to a solution that best fits Nova Scotia."

For his part, Premier Stephen McNeil says he's too busy to attend any of the film festival.

In a welcoming message from the premier printed in the festival's program guide, he writes, "We value the dedication of those who have worked so hard to put Nova Scotia on the filmmaking map."

For those in the industry who would find that a bit rich given the cut, McNeil offered this reply.

"We have a substantial investment in the sector," he said. "It's one of the largest investments and subsidies we do in any sector in the province. That's a clear indication we value it."