Film studio in North Okanagan closing due to lack of demand

VERNON – A first-of-its-kind film studio venture in Vernon has failed to get off its feet.

Okanagan Studios opened in 2016, boasting 50,000 square feet of specialized space built for making movies.

But the roughly four acre property on Kosmina Road in Vernon now has a for sale sign on it. According to the listing, the asking price is $5.75 million.

Okanagan Studios owner Tim Bieber was not available for an interview today, but said by email there was not enough demand for the space.

“Productions coming to the Okanagan are no larger then they have been in past which means too small to need dedicated studio space. No larger productions were interested in taking the risk to leave Vancouver,” Bieber said.

The project was hailed by the Okanagan Film Commission, and described as a “build it and they will come” investment. 

Film commissioner Jon Summerland said in June of 2016 that two feasibility studies indicated a studio space would be viable in the Okanagan. 

The studio was used somewhat during its brief existence, including by the makers of The Recall, starring Wesley Snipes.

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