If you haven't seen the new planet of the ape's movie "War for the Planet of the Apes" you may not know that it showcases Vancouver Island.
Joan Miller the Head of Vancouver Island North Film Commission says she worked with filmmakers, Parks Canada and First Nations to find locations for the film around Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park two years ago. "People have pride when they see locations they recognize and when you get to see the movie, it's beautifully shot as they ride those beaches."
The locations included lush forests, waterfalls, cliffs and Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, where apes are seen riding horses at sunset.
Miller says the Island film business is booming and the War for the Planet of the Apes movie brought in more than 1.5 million dollars for the region. "Films documentaries and commercials like that are like free advertising, come see these amazing places."
Miller says often stars and movie producers will return to the region with their family's because they enjoyed themselves so much. She couldn't name names but Ryan Reynolds recently tweeted a picture from Royal Roads University promoting the new Deadpool movie.
Miller says the Island Film industry could handle even more projects but there is a shortage of trained crew on the Island.
Miller also says popular Vancouver Island TV show "Alone" could be coming back to Port Hardy to shoot this fall. She says typically they let her know in early August.