District Announces Partnership with Columbia Pictures to Provide Training for District Students

Washington, DC – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty today announced that a Columbia Pictures’ film, starring Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, and Paul Rudd, will shoot in the District. The production will bring several qualified DC students on board in conjunction with the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program and the Centralized College Internship Program, providing on-the-job training in film industry functions such as production, locations, art, and accounting.

“We are extremely pleased and excited that Columbia Pictures has chosen our city to shoot their upcoming film,” said Mayor Fenty. “The production of this film will not only bring employment opportunities and revenue to the District, but it will provide a meaningful work experience for our youth and highlight the growing population of experience film professionals we have in the area.”

The film, slated to spend 14 weeks in pre-production, principal photography, and post-production in the District this summer, will hire over 100 local crew and several hundred local extras. This unique partnership between the District and Columbia Pictures is one of many initiatives aimed at expanding the city’s base of qualified film professionals to serve the growing film industry in Washington, DC.

The city’s support in the film production, through the Film DC Economic Incentive Grant Fund is expected to generate more than $8.5 million in local spending. District landmarks including Nationals Stadium and neighborhoods throughout the city will serve as a backdrop for this film.

“DC’s unique locations, diverse neighborhoods, cultural amenities, and first-class accommodations continue to draw motion picture and television productions to the District,” says Kathy Hollinger, director of the District of Columbia Office of Motion Picture and Television Development. The film industry spent more than $115 million dollars in the District in 2007 and 2008, creating employment opportunities for hundreds of area residents.

The film is written and directed by James L. Brooks and produced by Brooks, Paula Weinstein, Laurence Mark and Julie Ansell. Brooks added, “I had the privilege of filming Broadcast News in the DC area, and no matter how long or hard the day was, on my drive home, I could always look forward to the beauty of the city.  It is, to me, the great city of the world.  I couldn’t be more excited to be able to work here once more.  I am especially grateful to the Mayor and his Film Commission for doing the heavy lifting in allowing us to come.”

About Film DC

Film DC, the District of Columbia Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, is responsible for implementing programs aimed at generating revenue and stimulating employment and business opportunities in the District through the production of film, television, video, photography, and multimedia projects.

For more information about the film industry in the District of Columbia, visit http://film.dc.gov, or call the Office of Motion Picture and Television Development at 202-727-6608.