SK’s first feature film in 2022: Summer at Charlotte’s filming in Buena Vista & Regina this August

Creative Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the first of several successful production projects that have obtained funding through the Film and TV Development program: Summer at Charlotte’s. The 90-minute dramatic feature film follows Summer as she returns to her childhood cabin to plan her upcoming nuptials and reconnects with an old flame that leads her to question her plans. Produced by Saskatchewan-based Trilight Entertainment, the production is gearing up to film the project in Buena Vista and Regina this August.

“We are celebrating our 20th film from Trilight Entertainment and our 10th film shot in Saskatchewan since our inception in 2009. We’re incredibly grateful for Creative Saskatchewan’s support and are very proud to bring this film to the province,” says Jessica Watch, one of the producers on the film. “The program allowed us to secure an experienced Saskatchewan writer for the perfect Saskatchewan love story.” The grant also enabled them to move quickly from conception to production, starting the casting process within weeks of the application acceptance date by hiring a local casting director tasked with reviewing all the talent Saskatchewan has to offer, and sourcing lake-front locations. “One of Saskatchewan’s strengths is our ability to be nimble,” says Erin Dean, CEO of Creative Saskatchewan, “we’re a close-knit community, and thanks to the recent investment into film from the Government of Saskatchewan, the industry is poised and ready to work.”

The lucky beach-town resort of Buena Vista, SK will soon have a claim to fame as the location of choice for a feature film production – “Once we knew what this story was about, we immediately had to go back to the same beautiful cabin in Buena Vista where Trilight shot their previous film “Step Dogs” in 2012.” says Producer, Andrea Hoffman. The filming stages of the production and post-production are anticipated to take 6 months, injecting a boost of economic activity into the region and beyond. “Production expenditures often result in a substantial local hospitality spend, such as accommodations, food and beverage, and travel,” says Dean, “they also contract services such as skilled tradespeople to build sets, hire accountants and legal teams, rent equipment, and browse local retail stores to source props and clothing.” Productions also create jobs – from producers and directors to aspiring actors and technicians and everything in-between.

Polishing the script, preparing the production budget and schedule, location scouting, and casting are huge milestones that Creative Saskatchewan is pleased to support. “This critical step moves us from development into strong production territory,” says Watch, “we can’t wait to share the final product.”

Summer at Charlotte’s will be available to watch in Spring 2023.