Vancouver: The value of b.c.'s domestic production industry grew 78% in 1999 over the previous year. Total homegrown production reached $298 million.

"This shows our strength is no longer based solely on foreign producers," says Ian Waddell, the provincial minister responsible for the film industry.

"I attribute this growth to the talent pool that has built the industry - people who have made huge achievements in production, design, cinematography, special effects, animation and other areas."

Growth has also been stimulated by the b.c. tax credit called Film Incentive bc, which supported 51 b.c. productions worth $112 million in spending in the fiscal year ended March 31. Tax credits worth $9.7 million were issued.

In 1994, domestic production was only 13% of overall production spending of $402 million. In 1999, local production accounted for up to 28% of a provincial industry worth $1.1 billion.