Funding bodies
Fund Goal
To encourage co-operation between professionals working in different countries by providing financial support to European co-productions.
Fund Goal
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, promotes, develops and finances the production of Canadian content and relevant applications for all audiovisual media platforms.
Fund Goal
To stimulate demand for Canadian content in the country and abroad. TFC has 4 offices in Canada: Vancouver, Halifax, Toronto and Montreal which is its headquarter.
Fund Goal
Supporting the growth and sustainability of Alberta's cultural industries.
Fund Goal
Creative BC brings a strategic and integrated approach to the growth and development of British Columbia's creative industries. We provide professional expertise and business support to strengthen BC's motion picture, interactive digital, music and publishing sectors. Our programs, services and investments...
Fund Goal
MFM aims to create, stimulate, employ and invest in Manitoba by developing and promoting Manitoba companies, producing and marketing film, television, video and music recording projects. As a film commission, MFM promotes Manitoba as a film location for off-shore production companies.
Fund Goal
The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund provides funding for screen-based content creation. To be eligible, organizations must have a permanent establishment in the province and be engaged primarily in the creation of film/video productions for public viewing.
Fund Goal
The Nunavut Film Development Corporation (NFDC) is the film commission and funding agent for the territory and is responsible for fostering and promoting the development and growth of the film, television and digital media industry in Nunavut.
Fund Goal
The goal of SODEC is to support the production and distribution of audiovisual works in Québec. It engages in stages of writing, development, production, distribution and promotion of works destined for cinema or television. It also manages Tax credit programme.
Fund Goal
Maintain and ultimately increase the level of total independent film and sound recording production and expenditure in Yukon / Maximize Yukon employment opportunities resulting from film and sound recording production in Yukon.
Fund Goal
Creative Saskatchewan is a leader supporting collaboration, entrepreneurial capacity, innovation and convergence that maximizes leveraged resources, commercial success and market access for Saskatchewan's creative industries and producers.
Fund Goal
NLFDC has been mandated to promote the development of the indigenous film and video industry in the Province, as well as to promote the Province in national and international film and video markets as a location for film, television, and commercial productions.
Fund Goal
To increase CAN audiences in theatres by supporting CAN feature films (incl. coproduction) with strong box office potential and encouraging their diversity (genres, budgets, companies and regions). CAVCO co-administers two federal tax credit programs with the Canada Revenue Agency: the Canadian Film...
Fund Goal
The mandate of the Arts and Cultural Industries Branch, as it relates to the film industry, is to support a viable and culturally significant film industry in New Brunswick. To this end, the goals of the NB Film, Television & New Media Industry Support Program are: 1) To foster the stability and success...
Regulation
Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. Exceptions include U.S. citizens, and travellers with a valid Canadian visa.
Citizens of the following countries need a visa for a short-term stay: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina, Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Cambodia, Cameron, Republic of Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, People's Republic, of, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Congo (Republic of), Costa Rica, Republic of, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel - holders of valid IsraeliTravel Document in lieu of National Passport, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea,, North Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania - holders of non-biometric passports only, Macao Special Administrative Region, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Fed. States, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestinian Authority, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland - holders of non-biometric passports only, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tomé, e Principe, Saudi, Arabia, Kingdom, of, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (St. Vincent), Sudan Surinam, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan - without an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes their personal identification, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
For more details please consult: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
Canadian film and television producers (employers) hiring foreign workers in film and entertainment must get an HRSDC Labour Market Opinion (LMO) by way of a Foreign Worker Application, following which, the foreign worker also requires a Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) work permit to work in Canada. Employers should contact the HRSDC office/Service Canada Centreclosest to the location of the production and submit a HRSDC Foreign Worker Application under FORMS from the www.hrsdc.gc.ca
If your on-location filming will have an impact on public property or the surrounding neighbourhood, you must get a permit to film. All filming requires a film activity permit. The film activity permit is written after consultation with the location manager and specifies all activity that will affect the normal use of public property. Film activity permits are issued to the film company as soon as final approval of all activities has been granted. Senior production staff will need to review the permit before filming begins. The film activity permit requires that the location manager or assistant location manager be on location throughout the filming day. Each filming location / day requires at least one film activity permit. Contact film commission where you want to shoot.
- NAFTA provides for temporary duty free admission of cinematographic equiment only, regardless of the origin of the equipment and whether or not similar equipment is available in Canada. No security is required on originating goods (i.e., manufatured in the U.S or Mexico)
- Security is, however, mandatory on all non originating goods (a valid ATA Carnet may be used). Note that all the above provisions apply exclusively to cinematographic equipment that is used for the production of feature films or TV programs, but not for TV commercials.
- Special duty relief provisions also exist for stage props, wardrobe and special effects equipment temporarily imported into Canada. In short, all producers bringing film and TV equipment into Canada must consult a Canadian customs broker. www.cbsa.gc.ca
There are two levels of taxes in Canada:
- 1) Federal level (GST): 5%.
- 2) Provincial sales taxe (PST): Québec 9,975% / Saskatchewan 5% / Manitoba 7%
A work must be original and can include literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works or compilations. Copyright is granted the moment the work is created and does not distinguish work of a professional or that of an amateur. There is also no distinction between for profit or commercial use or for hobby purposes. Dramatic works include the characters, scenes, choreography, cinematography, relationship between characters, dialogue and dramatic expression. Unexpressed ideas are not protected work. Copyright also extends to incomplete creations such as proposals, treatments and formats, and infringement can occur when subsequent audiovisual works use their elements without ever actually literally copying them. Ownership of a creative work may be assigned to corporation or other employer as part of an employment contract. In such a cases, the employer retains ownership of the creative work even after the contract ends. The new copyright owner is therefore free to make changes to the finished product without the creator's consent.
Film Commissions
Edmonton
Alberta Film, a branch of the Government of Alberta, supports the growth, sustainability, competitiveness and business attraction of Alberta's screen-based production industries. The Government of Alberta continues to lead the way in providing support for production having been the first jurisdiction...
Brampton
The Brampton Film Office will offer you a one-stop shopping experience, as well as save you time and money, by: - Scouting locations; - Providing information on facilities; - Assisting you with set and other related support - Liaising with other levels of government and individual offices; - Facilitating...
Vancouver
British Columbia has built a solid reputation and track record for delivering excellence to filmmakers, both in terms of production value and quality, and all at a highly competitive price. Offering close proximity to and in the same time zone as Los Angeles, experienced and highly skilled cast and...
Burnaby
The Burnaby Film Office helps production companies access City services and obtain proper permits and authorizations to film in the City of Burnaby. Productions including commercials, television series as well as student, independent and feature films.
Calgary
Provides comprehensive information about filming in the Calgary region, script breakdowns, photo packages, scouting, permits as well as liaison with agencies, unions and support services.
Chiliwack
The Chilliwack Film Commission, a division of Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (the economic development arm of the City of Chilliwack ), was formed in 1999 in response to a growing interest from producers to film in Chilliwack. The Commission's mandate is to attract film location scouts and...
St. Nanaimo
The first point of contact for filming within Nanaimo is the Economic Development Officer (EDO). The Officer will provide coordination with various stakeholders and can determine if you are required to submit a Film Permit Application.
Salmon Arm
The Columbia Shuswap Film Commission is pleased to welcome you to the most diversified area within the beautiful Province of British Columbia, the Columbia Shuswap Region.
Edmonton
Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city is perfectly positioned to help make your film project a success. Located in the northern part of our province and with a metro population of more than one million residents, we’re a unique city that offers a variety of cultural and entertainment opportunities with...
Halifax
Film Nova Scotia is a full service film commission that provides: -Locations breakdown -Customized locations web site -Digital locations library with over 5,000 unique images -On the ground support for locations scouts -Community and industry liaison
Victoria
The Greater Victoria Film Commission offers production and location services, script breakdown, scouting and surveys. A non-profit organisation, the GVFC is a one-stop shop providing a a myriad of services, fabulous locations and support for film production in the Greater Victoria area.
Hamilton
The Hamilton Film & Television Office (HFTO) is committed to assisting you in all aspects of your film project from the scouting stage until your final wrap. This level of service will be at no cost to you or your productions. The City of Hamilton is located just 45 minutes drive from Toronto, Ontario,...
Provides liaison and location scouting services to the film, television, commercial and new media industry interested in filming on northern Vancouver Island
Nelson
The Kootenay Columbia Film Commission is a member of the Regional Film Commissions Association of B.C., which was formed in 1997. Services We Provide: Scouting, Production Support, Photo Library and Community Affairs.
Lachute
Established in 1997 to encourage Quebec, Canadian and foreign film producers to shoot their exterior scenes in the Laurentians' s MRC d'Argenteuil regional county municipality, the BCTAL soon evolved into an incontrovertible point of reference for the domestic and international film industry.
Winnipeg
Manitoba has the complete package. Film your next project with us and you can access the highest tax credit in Canada, crews with over 25 years of experience and world class co-producers and service producers.
Mississauga
Fredericton
NEW BRUNSWICK FILM provides services and support in the province by: -Financial assistance (development loans and equity investments) to New Brunswick residents to develop and produce film and television productions; -Training and professional development of New Brunswick residents employed in the...
St. John's
The NLFDC has been mandated to promote the development of the indigenous film and video industry in the Province, as well as to promote the Province in national and international film and video markets as a location for film, television, and commercial productions.
Prince George
Based in Prince George, the Northern BC Film Commission markets the northern half of the province as a location to Film and Television companies. Our jurisdiction extends North to the Yukon border, West to the Queen Charlotte Islands, East to Albert
Yellowknife
The Northwest Territories has amazing potential for film and television production - from its land and history to its people and spirit. Continuing development in non-renewable resources, local businesses and tourism have made the NWT a prosperous and secure place to travel and do business. In the NWT,...
Kelowna
Known as Napa of the North, the Okanagan provides diverse locations for consideration. From sprawling vineyards, lakes and desert country to world-class ski resorts and dramatic snow and mountains, the region is full of contrast and contradiction. Located in BCs southern interior, the Okanagan...
Toronto
Everything you’ll need to make your production a success is ready and waiting for you in Ontario. Ontario Creates will help take your project from script to screen by providing complimentary scouting and facilitation assistance, including access to our on-line digital locations database containing...
Charlottetown
It endeavors to maintain a high profile for Prince Edward Island in the international film community through marketing, promotion and delivery of location and liaison information.
Montréal
The Québec Film and Television Council (QFTC) has been commissioned to promote Québec - Canadas largest province - that has long offered filmmakers a creative and inexpensive backdrop for their productions. Québecs European background endow it with unique settings that can easily cheat for Paris,...
Kamloops
The Thompson-Nicola Film Commission is supported by a volunteer advisory board of up to 19 members plus Invitees. The membership includes three appointed Directors from the TNRD Board of Directors, of which one Director must be a representative of Kamloops. The film commission meets every two to three...
Toronto
The Toronto Film & Television Office (TFTO): Promotes Toronto as a location filming destination of choice, with its exceptional technicians, crews, talent, suppliers and locations; Liaises on behalf of the film, television and commercial production industry with municipal, provincial and federal...
Campbell River
The Vancouver Island North Film Commission provides liaison and location scouting services to the film, television, commercial and new media industry interested in filming on northern Vancouver Island, from Nanaimo to Cape Scott, including the Powell River Regional District.
