November 12, 2002 (Winnipeg, Canada) – “Lights, Action, Camera” – these famous words will be heard more frequently in Manitoba after today’s official opening of the second phase of Prairie Production Centre (PPC) a state-of-the-art 40,000 square foot Soundstage/Film studio and Production Complex in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

“Today’s official opening sends a signal to local, national and international filmmakers that Manitoba’s film industry is committed to excellence and fully open for business,” said James Umlah, a PPC board member and Chief Investment Officer of the Crocus Investment Fund, an investor in the sound stage. “Film makers responded positively when we completed phase one of the project and we made a commitment then to go to phase two in response to demand, and we have lived up to that promise today.”

The decision to go ahead with the expansion was triggered by the signing of a letter or understanding between PPC and Minds Eye Entertainment, the largest privately held motion picture production and distribution company in Western Canada. Minds Eye Entertainment will use 50% of the available dates of the expanded production centre for Manitoba projects including filming of its hit sci-fi television series 2030CE.

“We love Winnipeg and will continue to produce 2030CE here in the future,” said Kevin DeWalt, Chairman and CEO at Minds Eye Entertainment. “We are also working on several other projects that are now much more feasible given the expansion of the facilities here at PPC and because of the tremendous talent pool that has assembled to support film making in Manitoba. To ensure our success in Manitoba we have merged our Manitoba operations with those of Buffalo Gal Pictures thereby ensuring a permanent office in Winnipeg.”

Like many other successful projects that can have strong economic impacts, PPC is a public-private partnership. “This type of partnership has proven to be a model for success and we know our investment of $1.8 million from this and that program …”