Five More Michigan-Made Films Bow In Toronto
As Michigan continues to attract new film projects and investments, five films shot in Michigan will be featured in the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 9-19 in Toronto.
The films represent 1,005 new jobs and more than $39.8 million invested into Michigan's economy, according to the Michigan Film Office. Since the tax incentive program was signed into law more than 7,000 production jobs have been created across the state in addition to 4,000 jobs as extras.
"The Toronto International Film Festival is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our state and highlight the advantages we have to offer productions that are based here in Michigan," said Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office. "These five films are not only a success with the critics, they are a success for Michigan's economy by creating jobs and investing in our local communities and businesses."
Conviction – Shot in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dearborn, Detroit, Dexter, Howell, Jackson, Pinckney, and Ypsilanti, Conviction created 332 Michigan jobs and invested nearly $10.8 million in the state, including $2.8 million in goods and services from local businesses. The film was directed by Tony Goldwyn and stars Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Juliette Lewis and Minnie Driver.
Stone – Shot in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Ypsilanti and Jackson, Stone created 186 Michigan jobs and invested more than $14.8 million in the state, including $2.8 million in goods and services from local businesses. The film was directed by John Curran and stars Robert DeNiro, Ed Norton, and Milla Jovovich.
Trust – Shot in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Plymouth, Novi and Westland, Trust created 169 Michigan jobs and invested more than $7.6 million in the state, including $4.26 million in goods and services from local businesses. The film was directed by David Schwimmer and stars Clive Owen, Catherine Keener, Liana Liberato and Viola Davis.
Vanishing on 7th Street – Shot in Detroit and Southfield, Vanishing on 7th Street created 120 Michigan jobs and invested more than $6.6 million in the state, including $1.2 million in goods and services from local businesses. The film was directed by Brad Anderson and stars Hayden Christensen, John Leguizamo and Thandie Newton.
A fifth Michigan-based production, What's Wrong With Virginia?, will also premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. The movie was shot in Boyne City, Grand Haven, South Haven and Holland and created 198 Michigan jobs.
"We are proud to have the most aggressive film incentive package in the country, and in the past two years alone we have seen a dramatic increase in productions looking to film here in Michigan," Jones said. "In 2010 we have already approved 48 projects, with more applications pending, and expect more than $300 million will be spent by productions in Michigan this year."
The Michigan Film Office was created in 1979 to assist and attract incoming production companies and to promote the growth of Michigan's own film industry. In 2008, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed the Michigan film incentives program into law as part of an economic stimulus package designed to grow the economy and create jobs in new sectors in Michigan. The program provides incentives for film, television and other digital media production in Michigan, as well as infrastructure development and workforce training.
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