Film Cowichan prepared to step into the spotlight Thursday night

By Peter Rusland
Duncan News Leader Pictorial
Feb. 2004

Film Cowichan hits the spotlight during Thursday’s premiere at Duncan’s Quw’utsun’ Cultural Centre.
The gala evening will also officially launch Film Cowichan’s movie location file system, Tourism Cowichan’s Web site, and the 2004 Cowichan Regional Visitor Guide.
Geoff Millar, head of the hosting Cowichan Economic Development Commission, says guests include Greater Victoria film commissioner Russ Cowan, and Tourism Association of Vancouver Island spokesman Dave Petryk.
Millar’s especially excited about interest in shooting several films and commercials here through assistance from Film Cowichan.
“Thursday is the first public face for Film Cowichan.”
Locations on FC’s file system will be screened during a powerpoint presentation while corporate sponsorship information will be made available.
Film Cowichan will be co-producing the B.C. Student Film Festival in Duncan between May 19 and 21.
In 2005, the student film festival will return to Duncan and be held just before the fourth-annual Vancouver Island Film Festival based at the Cowichan Theatre, Millar said.
In fact, some student films may also be screened during the VIFF.
Meanwhile, Film Cowichan’s Louise McMurray hints her office is being flooded with calls from movie and commercial scouts regarding sites along the Cowichan River and elsewhere.

 

“We’re responding to requests for numerous locations from the Victoria and B.C. film commissions,” she says.
“They’re looking for a river with fast water or a specific house, or a small community that could be a small mid-western town.”
A joint Scottish-Canadian production is pending based around fly-fishing on the Cowichan River while another movie involves shooting footage in downtown Duncan, McMurray said.
“They’ve come from us promoting our region and giving them the information required, and showing a scout around.”
About 60 Valley sites — researched by FC’s four federal job trainees — now grace Film Cowichan’s database being shared with the B.C. Film Commission.
“If the B.C. Film Commission gets a request at the provincial level they can see what sites we have in the Cowichan region,” she said.
“This year were gearing to have 100 good files documented,” she said of documenting Cowichan’s many homes, buildings, farms, towns and landscapes as possible shooting spots.