Bord Scannán na hÉireann / Irish Film Board and Creative British Columbia are collaborating to support development of a TV series pilot, titled The Gulliver Curse. The series marks the first international co-production resulting from Creative BC’s participation in the Canadian Media Producers Association’s (CMPA) November 2015 mission to Ireland.
The Gulliver Curse is an action adventure series based on the novel by Jonathan Swift, and follows Gulliver Sympson who opens a passageway to an alternate universe, bringing strange and supernatural perils into the world. The series will be filmed in Ireland, while visual effects and post-production will be completed in B.C.
Speaking on the news Robert Wong, Vice President, Creative BC and acting BC Film Commissioner, said:
Funding for this co-production was established because of a trade mission to Ireland in November 2015. While Creative BC actively fosters international opportunities for BC companies, The Gulliver Curse will be one of the first co-development projects to receive program funding, acting as a pilot for other agency-to-agency agreements.
Through this pilot, Creative BC will evaluate co-development success during subsequent filming and post-production phases of the series. Based on results of this investment made through a broader funding program called the Project Development Fund, Creative BC may establish a tailored co-production program that focuses its funding on global collaborations. This would make the international fund the first of its kind in Western Canada.
Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC added:
British Columbia has established itself as the destination of choice for incoming international film and TV production. Likewise, it is essential for us to provide our own BC-based producers,directors and creators the means to leverage their expertise internationally and develop our external networks.
The Project Development Fund provides non-recoupable advances for BC-based production companies to develop film, television or digital media content. While the current Fund typically covers approximately 50 per cent of the broadcaster and third-party commitment, co-development funding for The Gulliver Curse will explore opportunities as a pilot with a funding cap of $30,000 (matched by the Irish Film Board).
James Hickey Chief Executive, Bord Scannan na hEireann/the Irish Film Board weighed in on the news with:
We are delighted to be working with Creative BC on this project. Ireland has a strong track record of co-producing with Canada. Irish producers are very experienced in the art of co-production and there is a wealth of talent working in Ireland at the moment.
Omnifilm partner Brian Hamilton commented:
Ambitious, international co-productions are a key part of Omnifilm’s export-driven development strategy. We are tremendously excited to be working with this talented team to develop The Gulliver Curse as a high-budget, character-driven action-adventure series which will resonate worldwide.