Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod, from the movie, Ghostbusters: Aftlerlife - released in 2021.(Government of Alberta)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

$335 million over three years

Province announces further investment in Alberta’s film and television industry

Apr 13, 2023 | 3:38 PM

Provincial officials say Alberta’s screen-based sector has momentum, and Alberta’s government is helping to make the province a magnet for the job-creating film and television industry.

In 2020, officials say Alberta’s government launched the Film and Television Tax Credit, causing the province’s film and television industry to grow in size and reputation. Since then, Alberta is said to have attracted 129 productions with a total production value of $1.7 billion. The government says this growth has resulted in approximately 9,000 direct and indirect jobs for Albertans.

To keep this momentum going, Alberta’s government says it continues to make changes to the program and increase investment in it. One year after the tax credit was launched, the cap was raised, resulting in a doubling of the province’s film and television sector, claim provincial officials. Now, Alberta’s government says it is increasing its investment to a total of $335 million over three years to continue attracting the attention and investment dollars of Hollywood.

“Alberta is experiencing exponential growth in our film and television sector, and we are well on our way to becoming a top Canadian jurisdiction for producers from around the world. Since the introduction of the Film and Television Tax Credit, the film and television sector in Alberta has doubled. Productions reach every part of Alberta – big cities, small towns and rural locations – and use local resources, businesses, accommodations and contractors, supporting thousands of jobs,” says Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development.

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As the province’s film and television industry grows, so does the quality and number of Alberta-made productions, say provincial officials. To help grow and promote local talent and productions, Alberta’s government says it is also doubling the funding to the Alberta Made Screen Industries Program. This funding is expected to support local producers and attract productions from around the world to set up shop in Alberta.

“Alberta-made film and television productions showcase Alberta’s unique culture, breathtaking landscapes and stories to audiences across the globe. We are increasing our support to smaller productions because they provide a unique Alberta-made training ground for emerging talent and create local, highly skilled workers in the sector,” adds Jason Luan, Minister of Culture.

Provincial officials say the Film and Television Tax Credit and Alberta Made Screen Industries Program work together to showcase the beauty and diversity of Alberta, create jobs, diversify the economy and support hospitality, service and tourism in the province. These targeted incentives to the film and television industries, add government officials, are helping to ensure Alberta remains the economic engine of Canada for years to come and the next film and television hub.

“The tax credit is central to the success of the industry. This is a competitive industry globally, and here in Alberta we’re fortunate we had the cap removed. Now we can see productions with budgets from $100,000 to well over $100 million. Now that we have a robust production environment, there are more opportunities for people to have well-paying creative jobs,” shares Damian Petti, president, I.A.T.S.E. Local 212 Calgary.

“The Alberta government has provided supports for the film and television industry that provide certainty. It gives us more flexibility in how we’re moving forward in our film and television work and the way that we’re running our businesses,” suggests Janet Morhart, COO/co-executive producer, Prairie Dog Film and Television.

“Seeing the increase to the Alberta Made Production Grant in the last budget has been fantastic. It will help grow the local industry, which means so much to local performers because that’s where they build their resumés. It allows them to be a working performer, and not take side jobs or a day job somewhere else, and really focus on their craft,” states Tina Alford, branch representative, Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Arts (ACTRA) Alberta.

Alberta government quick facts

• According to Statistics Canada data:
  • Every $1 million of production activity in the screen-based production sector creates about 13 Alberta jobs.
  • Every $1 million of government investment under the Film and Television Tax Credit program is expected to support about 85 Alberta jobs.
• The film and television industry is experiencing significant growth nationally and globally.
• Every year, Alberta graduates more than 3,000 creative industry professionals from its post-secondary institutions.
• The production workforce has grown 71 per cent from 2017, or by about 4,000 workers across all positions.
• Alberta’s Film and Television Tax Credit supports medium- and large-scale productions with costs over $499,999 through a refundable tax credit on eligible Alberta production and labour costs to corporations that produce films, television series and other eligible screen-based productions.
• The Alberta Made Production Grant supports productions with a budget of up to $499,999.
• The Alberta Made Screen Industries Program, through the Alberta Made Production Grant, supports smaller productions that do not qualify for the tax credit, covering 25 per cent of eligible Alberta production costs to a maximum of $125,000.
• Every $1 investment in the Alberta Made Production Grant program generates an additional $4 in economic return.