toronto film industry
Toronto is one of the largest film and television production centers in North America, with a world-class reputation and significant economic impact. The industry is known for its experienced crews, diverse locations, and vast studio infrastructure, attracting major domestic and international productions.
Industry at a glance
- Economic scale: In 2022, Toronto's screen-based industries reported a record $2.6 billion in direct spending, supporting tens of thousands of jobs. The broader Ontario industry contributed $3.15 billion to the provincial economy that same year.
- Production volume: Toronto is a top five production center in North America and a major hub within Canada. Historically, Toronto and Vancouver have been the most popular filming locations in the country.
- Workforce: Toronto's film, television, and digital media industries directly employ over 30,000 people. This encompasses a wide range of roles, including specialized craftspeople, technicians, and digital artists.
- Studio space: The city has over 2.8 million square feet of studio space, with more under development. This includes major facilities owned by global players like Pinewood and MBS.
- Post-production: The city is a leader in post-production, including visual effects (VFX) and animation, with major companies like DNeg and Pixomondo establishing facilities in Toronto.
- International reputation: In 2024, MovieMaker Magazine named Toronto the number one "Best Place to Live and Work as a Movie Maker," citing its talented crews, studio space, and variety of locations.
Key strengths and attractions
- Full-service hub: Toronto offers a complete ecosystem for all stages of production, from development to post-production.
- Financial incentives: Attractive provincial tax credits are a key reason both domestic and foreign productions choose to film in Toronto.
- Global tech leader: The industry benefits from Toronto's broader reputation as a technology hub, particularly in areas like virtual production.
- Renowned festivals: The city hosts numerous prestigious film festivals, most notably the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which serves as a platform for global cinema.
Recent challenges and future outlook
- Impact of U.S. labor strikes: The WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023 caused a major downturn in Toronto's production, leading to an 80% drop in active projects at one point. While a rebound was expected in 2024, the full impact of the strikes on long-term recovery is still being assessed.
- Intense competition: Toronto's reliance on foreign production makes it vulnerable to increased competition from other jurisdictions worldwide. Growing film hubs in cities like Calgary, Atlanta, and Albuquerque challenge Toronto's dominance.
- Infrastructure growth: The city must protect and expand its studio infrastructure to remain competitive. A lack of available production space has historically caused projects to be turned away.
- Changing landscape: The industry faces challenges from shifting content strategies by streamers, budget cuts from Canadian broadcasters, and rising production costs. The future will require adaptation to new digital media formats and ongoing market evolution.
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