Griffo, Walczyk call on governor to support filmmaking in Massena

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week 

MASSENA — Senator Joe Griffo and Assemblyman Mark Walczyk have sent a letter of support to Governor Hochul, seeking funding for a new filmmaking organization in Massena.

Film Massena, a new initiative started by Elijah Winfrey, seeks to bring film productions to the town, while offering educational resources for locals who may be interested in the filmmaking process.

“Massena, a beautiful village in Northern St. Lawrence County, is primed with potential and we'd like you to consider supporting some organic creativity which has recently sparked interest. As you know, the region's landscape and natural resources make it a premier location for filmmaking. The ‘Film Massena’ initiative, started by Mr. Elijah Winfrey, has already made great strides bringing the thriving film industry to Northern New York,” the letter reads.

Winfrey, who is currently working on his second feature film, has worked in conjunction with the Massena Public library to purchase over 20 books about filmmaking.

They are currently available to the public at the library.

Griffo and Walczyk sought to highlight the resources and geographic advantages that Massena can bring to future productions.

They also went on to cite recent developments in the town that have added to the local economy.

“Our great State is represented by Massena when visitors come down from Canada, anglers come up for the best fishing in North America, or New Yorkers fly in for a North Country getaway. As we work to rebuild the State's economy, this initiative brings temporary and permanent jobs and economic impact to an area of the State which needs it,” the letter states.

The village board, in conjunction with code enforcement and Film Massena, recently completed and implemented code for film productions hoping to come to town.

The next phase will include a permitting process for productions in town, in an effort to raise funds from local productions.