Okanagan film industry professionals navigate tariff threat – Okanagan [Video]

Industry professionals are hopeful the threat of tariffs from the United States won’t dim the lights on the Okanagan film industry.

“I’m sure our crew are freaking out, our actors are freaking out, but, you know, I suggest they don’t, because it would be really, really difficult to put a tariff on a service industry,” said Jon Summerland, Okanagan Film Commissioner.

This week, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a 100 per cent tariff on all films made outside of the United States.

“It’s really important to understand these really upend the studio model,” said Crystal Braunwarth, IATSE Local 891.

“It would do a lot of damage to these American companies who produce.”

The Okanagan, being part of the global market, could have a chunk taken out of business in the valley, which has become a hub for the industry.

“One hundred per cent tariffs wouldn’t necessarily hurt production but when …