– by Melissa Tobin, with files from Steven Woodhead

The Halifax independent film scene is on the rise. Productions such as Trailer Park Boys have given Halifax a national presence, which is strengthened as people such as Jason Eisener, Picnicface, and Michael Melski make names for themselves.

But this creates a problem at a time when money for the arts is being cut from government budgets. There are more people competing for the same amount of cash.

One example is the situation with the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP). Its membership has tripled over the last 10 years, as has as its budget, and both continue to grow. Walter Forsyth, executive director of AFCOOP says despite these changes, much of their funding has remained the same.

“It hasn’t gone up. The co-op has been around for 35 years. We’ve been receiving a grant from the National Film Board. It’s been the same amount of money for that last 30 years,” says Forsyth.

The $9,000 AFCOOP received in 1979 is the equivalent of approximately $26,533.68 today.

In recent years, the NFB’s budget has been reduced by 23 per cent. The NFB once had $100,000 to distribute to artists in Atlantic Canada, but now must use $77,000 to distribute between six cooperative organizations and individual artists on the East Coast.

Film festivals are not immune to the current economic downturn either. Sponsorship from corporations is down, so festivals are having to think of ways to cut cost in order to stay afloat. The Atlantic Film Festival is entering its 29th year this September, and executive director Greg Ash says while its one of the top festivals in Canada, he is noticing a downturn in the amount companies are willing to give.

“If you’re going after national sponsors for $2,500 or $5,000, those sponsors right now are looking to consolidate their spending so they can get as much of an impact with less dollars. Which means spending more money on fewer people,” says Ash.

The situation for newcomers

A reduction of funds means fewer for new artists to get started. National and provincial artist grants want to make sure the funds don’t go to waste, so there is a minimum amount of previous work required for applications. The term “independent film” encompasses anything from a $150 short film to a $5 million feature film, but funding seems to be reserved for bigger budgets. Eric Duncan, co-creator of Fresh Ink Films says he found it particularly difficult when first starting out.

“The problem that they have right now is there’s no finding for next stage,” says Duncan. “They’re funding $60,000 films, but you could fund 60 $1,000 films. And $1,000 dollars for a no budget film is the difference between being able to make it and not. I just think you have more to gain from 60 $1,000 grants than one $60,000 grant,” says Duncan.

Many new filmmakers are forgoing funding and making low budget films straight out of their own pocket.

Festivals such as the Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival (HIFF) are staying alive by keeping their cost low and using volunteers instead of hiring staff. Ash says it’s strategies like this that other film festivals will be modelling.

“HIFF in good position to weather [the downturn in sponsorship],” says Ash. “Their overheads are not as big and they’re really focused on audience. And a lot of [festival organizers] are going to be spending this time to refocus on the core values and the audience. The things that make you great.”