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British Columbia’s film industry will receive a major boost thanks to funding from the Government of Canada. An investment of $530,000 towards the Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECU) will help purchase equipment and develop the first western Stereoscopic 3D (S3D) Centre of Excellence in digital media and film technologies.

“British Columbia has a vibrant film making industry and today’s investment will provide the necessary resources so this industry can remain competitive in the West,” said the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

The S3D centre will be housed in Emily Carr’s Intersections Digital Studios, based in Vancouver. This new initiative will strengthen Emily Carr’s applied research and collaboration with industry and will result in the only western Canadian S3D film-making technology research and training program.

The BC film industry hosted the shooting of more than 239 television and film projects in 2009 generating in excess of $1.3 billion in production spending and employing approximately 30,000.

S3D technology is coming of age and is expected to be adopted by significant segments of the movie industry over the next five years. Although 3D projection is not new, recent advances in computer technology allow a much improved viewing experience, and therefore there is an expectation of significant adoption within many segments of the industry.

Today’s investment by the Government of Canada will give the BC film industry a leading position through training and applied research in production and post-production for S3D technology which is being adopted by the industry.

“We are grateful to the Government of Canada for recognizing the need for this type of investment,” said Dr. Ron Burnett, Emily Carr President & Vice-Chancellor.  “This funding will allow us to grow the capabilities of the Centre and lead the country in ground-breaking S3D technology research, education and training."

Situated on Granville Island, one of Vancouver’s best examples of unique and sustainable design, Emily Carr continues to be a respected institution for learning and applied research in arts, media and design. Founded in 1925, the Emily Carr University of Art and Design has grown from a small art school, into a post-secondary institution with over 1,700 students. Its mission is to develop informed creative artists, designers and media practitioners who contribute to Canada’s economy and cultural heritage through their creative output and research.

Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.

For additional information (media only) contact:

Lisa Hutniak
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Lisa.Hutniak@wd-deo.gc.ca

Roxanne Toronto
Communications Officer
Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Roxanne@ecuad.ca