The Hook

Vancouver may be enjoying a golden moment for the Olympics, but its reputation on the silver screen is being nudged off the podium.

The city's "Hollywood North" monicker is in jeopardy as aggressive tax incentives by Ontario and Quebec lure away productions. "Vancouver only has one movie booked for production so far this year," said NDP culture critic Spencer Herbert. "A Seth Rogan production, and that's only because he's from Vancouver."

Opposition leader Carole James and members of the local film industry joined Herbert yesterday to plead with the provincial government to enhance tax credits in the film and technology sectors to keep the spotlight on Vancouver.

The press conference was held on the lot of Bridge Studios, home of several TV shows and Brightlight Pictures -- which recently moved half their operations to Ontario.

"We're way down in features," said Tom Adair, executive director of the B.C. Council of Film Unions. “We have to get within shouting distance of Quebec and Ontario. I'm worried we're going to see a hollowing out of the industry. What's going to happen to a studio like this if no one is renting it?"

Matt Kieltyka is a reporter for 24 Hours Vancouver.