Panelists at the Okanagan TV/Film Industry Forum from left to right; Judy Lee, Ara Andorian, Darren Robson, Terri Hadwin, Jon Summerland, Erin Hazlehurst, Kelly Veltri, and James Alton. From March 16, 2024.

(JESSE TOMAS / iNFOnews.ca)

Dozens of aspiring actors and movie makers attended the Okanagan TV and film forum in Kelowna on Saturday.

This was the third forum for aspiring movie makers in the Okanagan to hear from people in all areas of the industry. The forum was organized by actors Dalias Blake and Damon Gregory.

Panellists included Okanagan film commissioner Jon Summerland, Thompson-Nicola film commissioner Terri Hadwin, producer Darren Robson, and more.

The panellists discussed how the industry is growing, but also the challenges for those trying to get into the industry.

Roark Critchlow, an actor and the head of the acting program at Kelowna’s Centre for Arts and Technology, said the Okanagan is a good place to be for movie makers.

“We have a bit of a boom going on. . . I’ve decided I’m going to call Kelowna ‘Small-y-wood,’” he said.

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Critchlow said these types of events are key supports for the growing industry.

“We can continue to grow the industry here and that’s the point of this whole thing,” he said.

Summerland said popular shows are produced in BC’s interior.

“We’re making big freaking shows; Bob’s Burgers, Rick and Morty. We make shows people actually watch, not just shut-ins,” he said. “We have an amazing industry here.”

He said it might be many people’s dream to be in the TV and film industry but it takes a lot of work.

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“This isn’t a job, it’s a vocation. You have to pick up your phone whenever, whatever is asked of you, you have to try to make it work,” he said. “Oftentimes you’re busy… like too busy to chew gum, kind of busy.”

The film commissioner for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Terri Hadwin said the film industry around Kamloops is making a comeback.

“Last year was tough. In 2023 we only brought in $2.5 million for economic impact. So far in the first 8 weeks of 2024 we’ve exceeded that,” she said.

Hadwin could not confirm nor deny the rumours that HBO’s The Last of Us is being shot around Kamloops.

“I think we’re going to see a lot of over-spill from Vancouver because so many other productions are eager to get back to work and there’s not a lot of locations to do so,” she said. “That overspill is going to come to the interior and then they’re going to fall in love with us right? We’re going to hook them.”

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