London politicians look to keep Film London rolling with extended funding

With London's reputation as a film and TV production hub continuing to grow, city politicians are trying to keep the momentum going. 

During Thursday's meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, members voted 14-0 in favour of extending the city's film office to 2027. The funding is currently scheduled to run out at the end of this year.  

Councillors will vote on the matter again on July 23 as a full council.

Launched in 2021 as a pilot under the London Economic Development Corporation, the film office has helped create more than 300 local jobs, adding more than $1 million to the city's economy, a staff report says.

At least 25 productions have been in London since the office opened, including for Apple TV+, CBC, NBC Universal, and Sony Pictures Television. Earlier this year, an Amazon Prime series, Motorheads, filmed on Blackfriars Bridge.

"Us having a presence, us advertising, us doing outreach, us being able to be the concierge for productions ... I think has really built up our reputation," said Andrew Dodd, Film London's manager.

"[It's] drawn attention to London in a way I don't think could have been done had there not been some resources dedicated to a film office."

The motion going to council July 23 directs city staff to draft a budget amendment recommending a funding extension to 2027. 

If passed, the amendment would be debated next year during annual budget talks.

The office has been funded with $300,000 annually from the city's economic development reserve fund, which limits project financing to four years. Deposits earmarked for the fund will instead go toward the extension.

"The money has already paid itself back in its return on investment many times over, and I know there's a lot of great opportunities still to come," Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis said during Thursday's meeting.

"I am happy to see that this will take us forward. I do think that Film London has got way more things to show us," said David Ferreira, Ward 13 councillor.

"I do also know that they do have a whole bunch of productions in the works right now that will be coming to London soon."

Dodd confirmed several are in the pipeline, including a Netflix series that will be in London next month.

"I saw virtually nothing for the first six-seven-eight months we were starting up the office. Now we're tracking close to 15 or 20 productions this year alone," he said.

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One active production is Falsehood, a science-fiction political thriller directed by Ethan Hickey, a local filmmaker and fifth-year Western film student, set for release in 2025.

"It's set in the future ... everything's kind of the same, but you have the ability to purchase memories," said publicist Amy Wynne.

Film London has been integral in helping the production find filming locations for the five-week production, which will wrap next week with shoots on Dundas Place and Talbot Street, she said.

"It's been great being able to streamline that process of bringing the production to life," Wynne said.

"I think we were able to do it in a quick time, and [Film] London definitely was a big part of that."

Dodd says one goal moving forward is to draw more productions out of Toronto.

The film office has been in talks with the city and Tourism London to develop a London film tax incentive, he said. Work is also being done with other municipalities to push for expansions to existing regional incentives.

Productions shooting in southwestern Ontario are eligible for a 10 per cent regional tax credit. Ontario-based productions can also receive a 35 per cent tax credit through Ontario Creates.

One advantage Toronto still has is sound stage and studio space. 

"We've got to make sure that if you're going to invest in a new build, that the market is there, that the demand is there," Dodd said.

"We're always keeping our eye out for vacant warehouse space… and to take advantage of the infrastructure that exists here already."

Ontario Creates says the sector contributed $1.83 billion to Ontario's economy last year.