Staff
The BRITISH COLUMBIA FILM office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Programs and operations are administered by staff members with experience working in the film and television industry.
Richard Brownsey
President & CEO
Richard Brownsey is responsible for the management of British Columbia Film, including implementing policy, overseeing the administration and operations of the organization, and acting as an important link between the Society and the production community – both locally and nationally.
Richard has over 25 years of leadership experience in policy, planning and program development in media and the arts. His most recent positions include Executive Director of the British Columbia Arts Council and Director of the Provincial Cultural Services Branch.
Pamela Kowarsky
Business Analyst
Pamela Kowarsky analyses applications to Film Incentive BC and the Production Services Tax Credit, including production budgets, distribution and financing agreements and other documentation, in order to determine eligibility in accordance with the program legislation and regulations.
Pamela graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Music degree and also completed an M.B.A from Simon Fraser University. She has more than ten years experience in administration and business affairs throughout the animation, film and television industries.
Erika Kumar
Program Assistant
Erika Kumar is responsible for coordinating the Professional Internship and Scholarship Programs. She assists the Development Initiatives & Partnerships department, and currently manages the daily administration duties at British Columbia Film.
Erika graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Simon Fraser University, and has an Entertainment Administration Certificate from the University of British Columbia. Prior to working at British Columbia Film, Erika was a project coordinator for The Adbusters Media Foundation.
Andrée Laplante
Business Analyst
Andrée Laplante analyses applications to Film Incentive BC and the Production Services Tax Credit, including production budgets, distribution and financing agreements and other documentation, in order to determine eligibility in accordance with the program legislation and regulations.
Andrée graduated from Laval University in Quebec with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Prior to joining British Columbia Film, Andrée worked 6 years for the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) as a business analyst involved with the Quebec Book Publishing and Multimedia Tax Credit Programs. She also has 2 years experience as a business consultant with the federal and Quebec R&D Tax Credit Programs and over 8 years in management within various manufacturing companies.
Christine Larsen
Business Analyst
Christine Larsen processes and coordinates applications to British Columbia Film's direct funding programs and to the Tax Credit Program.
Christine has worked in the film industry since 1999 in a variety of positions including accounting, production coordinating and locations. In 2006, Christine worked at the Greater Victoria Film Commission and was responsible for marketing, development and adminstration. Prior to working in film, Christine managed a branch office of a US investment firm. She studied at UVIC from 1990-1994 and completed a certificate in Entertainment Administration at UBC in 2007.
Kristen Lukovich
Manager, Communications & Industry Initiatives
Kristen Lukovich is responsible for all corporate communications at British Columbia Film and acts in the role of Recording Secretary to the Board of Directors. She also manages all of British Columbia Film's industry initiatives, sponsorships and partnerships.
Kristen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, a New Media Diploma from Vancouver Film School and an Entertainment Administration Certificate from the University of British Columbia. She has been working in film and new media since 2001.
Dave Ratnarajah
Controller
Dave Ratnarajah is responsible for the management of the financial operations of the Society.
Dave is a member of the Society of Certified Management Accountants of British Columbia and Yukon. He has worked in various companies as an accountant, controller and management consultant.
Jill Reilly
Business Analyst
Jill Reilly analyses applications to Film Incentive BC and the Production Services Tax Credit, including production budgets, distribution and financing agreements and other documentation, in order to determine eligibility in accordance with the program legislation and regulations.
Jill has a degree in Economics from the University of Manitoba and in Law from the University of Toronto. Prior to joining British Columbia Film, Jill worked at the Union of B.C. Performers/ACTRA, initially as Collective Bargaining Coordinator and then as Residuals Administrator, developing and implementing the union’s film and television residuals administration system.
Robert Wong
Vice President, Tax Credits & Development
After working for five years for a chartered accounting firm in Vancouver, Robert joined British Columbia Film where he is currently the Vice President of Tax Credits and Development. Robert joined the staff just prior to the launch of the film and television tax credit program in 1998, and has since played an integral role in the evolution of British Columbia’s film and television tax policy, including the recent enhancements to the tax credit program. He is responsible for all administrative aspects of Film Incentive BC and the Production Services Tax Credit program, including maintaining the integrity of the legislation and regulations.