| Filmport Ribbon-Cutting Delay |
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| Thursday, 05 June 2008 | |
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FILMPORT gives Senate Committee the Spotlight Toronto, [May 29, 2008] – The planned ribbon-cutting for the new FILMPORT studio facility has been postponed due to a conflict with Mayor Miller’s appearance before an important Senate Committee hearing on controversial Bill C-10. The Mayor was to officiate the FILMPORT opening event on June 5th but was summoned by the mayors of Montreal and Halifax to present a united front against a Bill that threatens to stifle film production nation-wide. “We applaud the Mayor’s actions in speaking out on behalf of the film industry,” said Ken Ferguson, President of FILMPORT. “His appearance before the Senate Committee clearly takes precedence. Our official opening can be rescheduled; the Senate hearings could not.” “The Mayor is dedicated to infusing life into the Port Lands and the film industry,” said Jeffrey Steiner, TEDCO president and CEO. “His energy and support is integral to this launch, we’re more than happy to work around his schedule.” FILMPORT and TEDCO officials are working with the Mayor’s office to arrange a suitable alternative date. A media alert will be issued when the date has been confirmed. About FILMPORT FILMPORT is a convergence district for film, TV & digital media companies that sits on part of a 20 hectare site in the Port Lands owned by the Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO). Designed by Quadrangle Architects Ltd., FILMPORT Phase 1 occupies over a quarter of a million sq. ft. of production space, including seven sound stages. FILMPORT will be the largest studio complex outside of Los Angeles and will be home to the North America’s largest purpose-built sound stage covering a massive 45,900 sq. ft with more than an acre of column-free space below a 6-storey high lighting grid. In addition to the studio facilities, FILMPORT will be home to ancillary film and TV businesses such as post production companies, union and guild offices, film schools and amenities such as restaurants and shops clustered around it – creating a film and TV business community unlike anything in the world. The overall development will occupy 50 acres with up to three million square feet of space in and around the studio lot for media and creative industry companies. For more information about FILMPORT, the Future of Film, please visit www.filmport.ca. About TEDCO The Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO) is the principal redevelopment corporation for the City of Toronto focused on commercial, industrial and mixed-use projects. TEDCO’s urban development activities encompass real estate, environmental management and economic development initiatives. It is an Ontario business corporation with the City of Toronto as its sole shareholder. For more information about TEDCO, please visit www.tedco.ca.  |
Iain Blair
James Thompson
Dyana Carmella
