The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, announced a film production agreement today between the Provincial Government, through the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation (NLFDC), and Walt Disney Pictures.
The agreement includes a 30 per cent rebate on eligible production spend, up to $3 million, to film a portion of a major motion picture in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is estimated that the eligible total spend in the province will be approximately $9 million.
Premier Furey and Minister Crocker were joined at the announcement by the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, the Honourable John Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and MHA for St. John’s East – Quidi Vidi, the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and MHA for Virginia Waters-Pleasantville and Mark Sexton, Board Chair, NLFDC
A cast and crew of approximately 150, including local technicians, artists, and film workers, will be working this summer to film the live-action adventure/fantasy “Peter Pan & Wendy.” Directed by David Lowery and produced by Jim Whitaker, who previously collaborated on Disney’s “Pete’s Dragon,” the film, which is based on J. M. Barrie’s novel “Peter and Wendy” and inspired by the 1953 animated classic, will premiere on Disney+. Filming will take place throughout the month of August in several locations on the island. COVID protocols will be implemented and followed at all locations.
The NLFDC was created in 1997 with a mandate to grow and develop the provincial film and television industry. Since the creation of the NLFDC, there has been over $570 million in total production activity, resulting in the creation of more than 8,000 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs. The NLFDC provides investments to the industry through two programs: the Equity Investment Program and the Newfoundland and Labrador Film and Video Tax Credit.
Quotes
“This is a very exciting announcement for Newfoundland and Labrador. The filming of a major Walt Disney picture will create international recognition for the province as a shooting location for future film and television productions. Film creates large economic spin-offs and brings investments into all regions. We look forward to availing of more opportunities like this.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The film and television industry is a significant economic driver and employer in Newfoundland and Labrador. This production will provide various opportunities for skill enhancements for existing local film workers, local performers, and the recruitment of new local labour into the industry. A production of this magnitude will provide significant economic activity in the province that would otherwise not happen.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
“NLFDC’s Board and Staff are very pleased that Walt Disney Pictures selected our location for this significant production. In our capacity as Film Commission, this is a big win and validation that Newfoundland and Labrador’s remarkable locations, highly skilled film industry workers, and a competitive rebate offered by government has put us on the map with Walt Disney Pictures. This production will deliver much welcomed and substantial economic activity to the province and several rural areas over a relatively short period of time. We look forward to welcoming the cast and crew to our beautiful province this summer.”
Mark Sexton
Chair of the Board
Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Kathryn Summers
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4819, 699-6147
kathrynsummers@gov.nl.ca
Dorian Rowe
Executive Director/Film Commissioner
Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation
709-739-1670
dorian@nlfdc.ca