One of the top post-production companies in Canada is shutting down its Quebec facility that houses one of the few labs in North America capable of developing film for professional productions. Patrick Jutras, the president of Montreal’s MELS studio, confirmed this decision in a statement to CBC. Jutras mentioned the lack of competitive tax incentives to attract foreign productions to the city and a decrease in local audiovisual production investment as reasons for closing the company’s photochemical lab in the upcoming months.
Although MELS itself will not cease operations, Jutras stated that the studio is moving and consolidating specific post-production services to meet market demands and ensure profitability. Consequently, the photochemical lab and a projection room will be closed, while the rest of their associated post-production services will be transferred to a new location.
In a statement provided to CBC in French, Jutras acknowledged the sentimental value many artists associate with these facilities, especially the analog film laboratory, which is unique in Canada. He emphasized the need for urgent government intervention to rescue the struggling local audiovisual sector and preserve Quebec’s expertise in this field.
Digital versus film
With the film industry increasingly adopting digital production methods, MELS’ photochemical lab has become a rare choice for filmmakers interested in working with and developing 16mm and 35mm film for broad distribution. According to Concordia film professor Michael Yaroshevsky, MELS’ facility is one of just three “full-service” development labs in the continent, capable of processing 6,100 meters of film daily, with the other two located in L.A. and Atlanta.
This capability has supported the production of various films, including Dream Scenario starring Nicolas Cage, Universal Language by Matthew Rankin, Mommy by Xavier Dolan, and several Quebec-made movies that have gained international recognition.
MELS photochemical laboratory in Montreal will close its doors, to the dismay of many filmmakers who used this lab for their movies. Filmmaker Michael Yaroshevsky started a petition asking to keep the lab open.
In response to the closure announcement, Yaroshevsky initiated a petition to preserve the photochemical studio. The petition has garnered 2,577 signatures as of Friday afternoon, with Yaroshevsky highlighting the critical importance of saving the photochemical lab for numerous local filmmakers.
“While digital technology dominates the market and digital cinema is valuable, film continues to thrive in Montreal and beyond,” Yaroshevsky emphasized. “Students aspire to learn and create using celluloid, and it must remain available as a medium for filmmaking. We advocate for a rich cinematic future, not a diminished one.”
