THUNDER BAY – ENTERTAINMENT – It’s an exciting time for film production in Northern Ontario. Movies filmed in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, and throughout the North are screening at the top international film festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.
In the last three years, our government has helped bring 91 film and television projects to life in Northern Ontario with investments through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). These investments have helped leverage more than $500 million in funding from other partners to support film and television projects across Northern Ontario. In this past year alone, the NOHFC invested $25 million in 47 films and TV projects produced in the North, including Two Lovers and a Bear, Mean Dreams and Sleeping Giant.
With each new project, Northern Ontario is showcasing itself as a premier destination for film and television production. NOHFC support has created an environment where talented actors, carpenters, caterers and set crews have opportunities to work here in the greatest part of our province. Activity in Northern production studios means new money driving growth for businesses and creating jobs in Northern communities.
Supporting the local film and TV industry is part of our Growth Plan for Northern Ontario. The plan is helping create a globally competitive Northern economy, support communities, renew and expand modern infrastructure, and promote a healthy environment. This Friday, I am pleased to invite our community to join me and award winning producer Jennifer Jonas, at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. for, a free screening of her critically acclaimed film, Born to be Blue which the NOHFC was proud to support.
Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines
Event Details
Filmed in Northern Ontario, Born to be Blue is a reimagining of jazz legend, Chet Baker’s career and personal life at a key moment in the 1960s as he attempts a comeback. Academy Award-nominated actor Ethan Hawke received critical acclaim for his performance as Baker. The film is rated R for drug use, language, some sexuality and brief violence.
The film is showing at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium this Friday, October 14 and will be followed by a question and answer session with producer Jennifer Jonas.
Donations of non-perishable food will be collected at the door for Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA).
