Thompson-Nicola region expected to see more film projects in near future

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson-Nicola Film Commission (TNFC) is seeing an increase in regional independent film production.

Screen Siren Pictures announced it’s on schedule to shoot a feature film about a family of livestock auctioneers, entitled The Ringmen, in the Kamloops, Cache Creek and Ashcroft areas starting in mid-August. Screen Siren hopes to film another project in the region this year.

CBC Kids’ Daily and The Gumboot Kids filmed in Kamloops for five days, and Reel One Entertainment’s Just Clicked recently wrapped. Oddfellows Entertainment started filming The Edge of Sleep in a few days.

TNFC Film Commissioner Victoria Weller said Kamloops makes it easy and affordable to film in the city.

“Productions are attracted to Kamloops’ diversity in housing and business areas, and the dramatic landscape of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc lands,” Weller said. “I’m very grateful for the homeowners and property owners that allow filming on their properties. Productions are employing many people and using a lot of our amenities.”

In the future, the feature film Death Pursuit will start filming in May in the Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Merritt, and Spences Bridge areas. Multiple projects are slated to film but have not given permission to be announced yet.

Weller said any experienced film crew members can register in TNFC’s online crew database to support the projects. TNFC is also seeking family homes in the area as locations and as rentals for actors and key crew members.