The motion picture industry invites all British Columbians to celebrate the province’s film industry together this Wednesday, which is also National Canadian Film Day with a curated line-up of content accessible to all for the day in celebration.12pm April 19th: Creative Industries Week Hall of Honour Showcase Brings government and industry together to celebrate the entire sector including a reception for MLA’s at Kwench Culture Club.
British Columbia’s motion picture industry takes a collaborative approach and brings heart to every production. Together, with the provincial ecosystem of film and television resources, B.C.’s motion picture industry represents a mature, full-service global motion picture hub. The industry is one of the largest hubs in North America— with world-leading expertise, supports and services from script to screen. See British Columbia’s motion picture ecosystem in this interactive map of VFX, post production, and studios.Did you know? In 2021, B.C.’s motion picture industry contributed $2.4B Total GDP to the provincial economy, generated $5.4B in Output, of which $3.78B in production spending was on the production of original storytelling content. There are over 88,000 people estimated to be part of this freelance workforce.
B.C. is a World-Leading Motion Picture Hub As an internationally recognized hub for motion picture production, B.C. is home to a vast ecosystem of businesses and activities creating value on and off the set. Visit Creative Pathways for an in-depth introduction to the motion picture industry in B.C. including career pathways into the industry. The five key areas are: 1) Service, Supply and Production Equipment Companies; 2) Industry Associations, Unions/Guilds, and Related Organizations; 3) Education and Training Organizations Related to Film; 4) Film Commissions + Related Government Bodies; 5) Film Festivals The province is home to both award-winning creators of original screen-based content (represented by the membership organization Canadian Media Producers Association – BC Producers Branch, or CMPA-BC) and it is also home to a full-service production industry. The CMPA-BC estimates there are more than 200 production companies making original storytelling content in B.C. – from scripted content like feature films, movies of the week, animation, and television series, to unscripted content like documentaries, reality and talk shows. B.C. is the largest service production hub in Canada and one of the largest in North America. with world-leading expertise, supports and services from script to screen. This side of the industry services productions by international studios, such as the members of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), and its businesses, unions, guilds, and associations are all represented by the Motion Picture Producers Industry Association (MPPIA). See British Columbia’s motion picture ecosystem in this interactive map of Animation, VFX and post production studios, and sound stage production studios, and regional film commissions. Industry Sustainability: Indigenous Content, Regional Growth, Environmental and Inclusive Practices Indigenous Creative Content: Recent program insights from the National Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) saw that the majority of grants in 2022 programs were applied for and received by B.C. First Nations, Métis, and Inuit filmmakers, including many award winning and internationally celebrated Indigenous filmmakers. Creative BC collaborates with the ISO and is funded by the Rogers Group of Funds to deliver the Rogers Indigenous Film Fund. Many award-winning Indigenous filmmakers and films are celebrated in this province, including BONES OF CROWS, Marie Clements multi-generational epic story of resilience. Regional Activity: There are eight Regional Film Commissions that market their regions’ distinctive locations and provide localized expertise and service to productions that come to do business in them. While the Lower Mainland Southwest is a mature, full-service global motion picture hub, the Okanagan and Vancouver Island are both emerging as strong centres of production and secondary hubs. B.C. regional motion picture activity by count of productions is increasing with filming outside the Lower Mainland Southwest growing at an 8.2% Compound Annual Growth (CAGR) rate between 2014 and 2021, outpacing the 6.53% CAGR of B.C.’s overall production count during the same time frame. B.C. is a highly desirable production location as it offers A World of Looks across the province that are tremendously diverse yet proximal: from snowy peaks, and rainforests to ocean sides and deserts, and from vineyards and quaint interior towns to urban city streets. Environmental Stewardship: Reel Green™ is Canada’s climate action catalyst – a leader in sustainable production strategy and action, with well over 20+ industry funders, 30+ national partners, and 10+ committees working on specific areas of action including Industry Best Practices, Clean Energy, and the Circular Economy for film. The Reel Green™ Lead sits within the provincial film commission at Creative BC, providing committed services and support to help Reel Green and its industry Advisory Committee advance environmental best practices in film and television. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Creative Pathways™ is Canada’s first motion picture industry workforce development solution—an online hub that maps a clear pathway into industry. The hub is built for career-seekers by the province’s Motion Picture Production Industry Association and Creative BC with the role of Creative Pathways™ Lead established within the provincial film commission at Creative BC. The Lead provides committed services and support to help industry participate and expand its practices that advance toward equity, inclusion and diversity in its workforce Creative Equity Roadmap™ is a resource for B.C.’s motion picture industry to advance Justice, Equity, Decolonization, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDDI) in the motion picture industry and beyond it, into B.C.’s broader creative industries. The framework includes development “lanes” for the individual, the organization, and the industry, as well as “checkpoints” – knowledge, shared goals, and trainings – that can be accessed by anyone seeking to advance JEDDI practices. About the Industry Associations Established in 2002, the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of British Columbia (MPPIA) is a member-based non-profit organization dedicated to a strong future for B.C.’s motion picture production industry. Together, MPPIA’s diverse membership represents the ‘voice and vision’ of the motion picture production industry in British Columbia. MPPIA’s vision is to grow, diversify and promote a competitive and sustainable motion picture industry in B.C. MPPIA members work together to inform, educate, develop and market new initiatives that ensure B.C.’s motion picture industry flourishes as part of British Columbia’s vibrant, environmentally conscious, knowledge-based economy. The Canadian Media Producers Association – BC Producer’s Branch (CMPA-BC) is a provincial chapter of the CMPA, working on behalf of British Columbia production companies. Starting in 1948 as the Association of Motion Picture Producers and Laboratories of Canada (AMPPLC), CMPA-BC acts as B.C.’s trade association for independent producers, representing hundreds of companies engaged in the development, production and distribution of English-language content for TV, feature film and digital media channels. From indie films to children’s television shows, the association continues to produce an incredible array of projects — there is no doubt that one of your favourite Canadian TV shows was produced by a member of the CMPA-BC. Learn more about B.C.’s motion picture industry: MPPIA BC CMPA-BC Vancouver Post Alliance Animation + Visual Effects Alliance Creative Pathways™ Reel Green™ Sector and Industry Overviews Map of Motion Picture companies, studios, suppliers in B.C.Did you know? Based on real-time tax credit application information available in January 2023, Creative BC early insights project that 2022 production spending on original storytelling content in B.C. will be over the $3.5B mark. More than 88,000 people work in the industry.