March 16, 2022 - MEMORANDUM
To: Vancouver Film Industry Teams
From: City of Vancouver Film and Special Events Team
The purpose of this memo is to stress the importance of communication with Business Improvement Associations (BIA’s) when filming is to occur in Business Improvement Districts.
The City of Vancouver Film Office is actively working on a set of universal guidelines for filming in all Business Improvement Districts; we expect to share that document with the industry soon. In the meantime, please read this memo carefully as it includes important information regarding your work in Business Improvement Districts.
Please familiarise yourself with the map of the BIA locations here.
During location scouting, the permit applicant is responsible for being aware of BIA zones in the City and to make contact with BIA staff as soon as a location in a Business Improvement District is being considered. This first contact should include high level information regarding dates, times, type of activity, and potential impacts to parking, traffic and pedestrians.
During the application process, the permit applicant is responsible for updating the BIA as details of the filming are firmed up. The BIA must be kept informed of any changes to information provided during initial contact. The applicant must also ensure that what is discussed with the BIA is in alignment with what is contained in the final permit.
The applicant should document communications with the BIA and may be asked to provide written confirmation of this communication more than once during the process if material changes are made to the parameters of the permit application.
Failure of the permit applicant to actively and accurately communicate with the BIA will be considered by City staff as rationale to reject or delay the issuance of a film permit.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this direction, please reach out directly to Jodie Shebib, Operations Manager, Film and Special Events at Jodie.shebib@vancouver.ca or
604-707-5394.
Sincerely,
City of Vancouver Film Team