Delegation heads to California to promote, grow B.C.’s film, TV industry

This news release was issued by the Province of British Columbia. For all media inquiries, please contact the Province’s official media representatives directly. See original release here. 

A delegation from British Columbia is arriving in Los Angeles to highlight the advantages of partnering with the film and TV industry on Canada’s West Coast and to explore the benefits of staging productions in B.C.

“We want to bring the biggest productions we can to B.C. so the talented and hard-working people in the industry can continue to find good work with a good paycheque,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “When productions choose to film in our province, they bring opportunities for skilled workers and businesses that strengthen our economy.”

The mission, led by Screen BC, will include Chandra Herbert, Nina Krieger, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film, and Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance. This is an opportunity to highlight B.C.’s commitment to working with the motion-picture sector and position the province as a top location for film and television production.

“B.C.’s film industry is essential to our economy and our communities,” Bailey said. “We are getting to work right away to ensure the film industry continues to choose B.C. as a leading destination for filmmakers worldwide.”

The timing of this visit is crucial as it provides studio decision-makers with the critical information about the value of filming in B.C. they need for their production planning. The Province will continue to look for ways to enhance B.C.’s competitiveness, such as through available tax incentives.

With the province’s highly skilled crews, extensive infrastructure and natural scenery, B.C. wants to maintain competitiveness in attracting high-profile productions, such as The Last of Us Season 2 and Shogun Season 1, which were filmed in dozens of locations throughout B.C., creating economic benefits for workers and local economies.

British Columbia is one of North America’s largest motion-picture hubs. According to studies commissioned by the sector, the industry is supporting more than 47,500 jobs and contributed $3.3 billion to B.C.’s total GDP in 2022. With approximately 80% of production activity in B.C. being foreign service work, strong international relationships are vital to sustaining and growing the film and TV industry.