The Columbia Valley, with its diverse landscapes and scenic locations, has great potential to become a new destination for film production in Canada. The film industry has long been drawn to Canadian settings, thanks to the country’s varied terrain, favorable exchange rates, and BC’s tax credit program. Here in the Columbia Valley, filmmakers can find everything from picturesque mountains and serene lakes to small-town charm and remote wilderness, making it a versatile backdrop for many stories.
The area has already attracted some attention from filmmakers. Talk to anyone who was living here in the early 90’s and they will tell you about stories about the making of Alive. More recently, A Mountain Between Us staring Kate Winslet and Idris Alba shot portions of the film at various locations in the Columbia Valley. Building on recent interest from producers, Columbia Valley Economic Community Development (CVCED) recently received a grant from ETSI-BC to hire a film coordinator. This role will help establish the Valley as a film-friendly location. Tracy Bruns, a local resident with significant experience as a Location Manager—including work on “Amazing Race Canada”—has been brought on board to lead this effort.
“I am excited to be part of this team to promote our incredible community to the film industry” says Bruns “the Columbia Valley has so much to offer. We can be city, country and mountain all in one short vicinity.”
CVCED and the new coordinator are working with the Kootenay Film Commission to make the Columbia Valley more accessible and attractive to film productions. This involves partnering with local businesses to provide the services that film crews need, such as catering, accommodations, transportation, and equipment rentals. By collaborating with these businesses, we aim to create a supportive environment that benefits both the film industry and the local community.
Another key part of our strategy is building a location library using Reel-Scout, a digital platform that helps filmmakers find potential filming sites. This tool allows us to showcase a wide range of locations within the Columbia Valley, making it easier for film professionals to discover the unique settings our area offers.
We are also developing a guide to filming in the Columbia Valley, which will provide comprehensive information for production teams considering our region for their projects.
If you are part of the film industry or a local business interested in getting involved, please email us at film@investcolumbiavalley.ca to learn more or discuss opportunities. Together, we can build a film-friendly future in the Columbia Valley.
