WDA Assists Innovative Francophone Film Industry Project

[CAWED]

_WDA ASSISTS INNOVATIVE FRANCOPHONE
FILM INDUSTRY PROJECT_

_WINNIPEG, Manitoba_ -- Funding received through the Winnipeg
Development Agreement (WDA) will allow the _Société des communications
du Manitoba_ to offer professional and semi-professional film industry
training and upgrading to 75 individuals, including young people,
while helping to develop one of Manitobas emerging cultural
industries.

The WDA funding of $180,000 was announced today by Ron J. Duhamel,
Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification, on behalf of
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, federal minister responsible
for the Winnipeg Development Agreement; Manitoba Culture, Heritage and
Citizenship Minister Rosemary Vodrey, on behalf of Manitoba Urban
Affairs Minister Jack Reimer, provincial minister responsible for the
WDA; and Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray.

"This initiative will train young people in the art of film making in
Manitoba, create jobs and develop products that reflect the
perspective of Manitobas vibrant and dynamic Francophone community,"
said Mr. Duhamel. "Thanks to support from the WDA, we can facilitate
the growth of the local film industry and encourage strategic
partnerships that benefit film production in Manitoba."

"The world-wide demand for Francophone films is growing rapidly and
the province is committed to helping our local film community develop
and train people to work in the industry," said Minister Vodrey.
"We're pleased to support this training initiative through the WDA, as
well as providing an additional $60,000 through Manitoba Education and
Training."

The non-profit _Société des communications du Manitoba_, in
association with the _Productions Rivard_ film production company,
will offer integrated training and skills upgrading in all aspects of
film making to Francophones working inside and outside the industry. A
community-based strategy to offer a film industry training program in
Francophone high schools will also allow students to produce their own
short documentaries.

The overall initiative has already fostered alliances with _the Office
national du film du Canada_, the _Société Radio-Canada_, the
_Télévision française de lOntario_ (_Tfo_) and other francophone
production companies outside of Quebec that will help produce $1.7
million worth of film and documentaries in Manitoba over the next
year.

The initiative is part of the $21.25 million Labour Force Development
component of the WDA. Programs under this component promote the
development of a skilled workforce in Winnipeg through various
innovative measures and early interventions.

The Winnipeg Development Agreement is a five year, $75 million
commitment by the governments of Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg to the
long-term sustainable economic development of Winnipeg. The WDA is a
city-wide strategy which focuses on three key areas: labour force
development, strategic and sectoral investments, and the development
and security of Winnipeg communities.