Important Update to B.C.’s Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs
On March 4, 2025, the Minister of Finance announced the following budget proposal to British Columbia’s Motion Picture Tax Credit Programs, subject to the approval of the legislature:
Increase the Film Incentive BC (FIBC) basic credit from 35% to 40% for productions that start principal photography on or after January 1, 2025.
Increase the Production Services Tax Credit (PSTC) basic credit from 28% to 36% for productions that start principal photography on or after January 1, 2025.
Effective January 1, 2025, a new major production tax credit is available to production services tax credit claimants with B.C. production costs greater than $200 million. The major production tax credit is available for productions with principal photography starting on or after January 1, 2025, and is equal to 2% of a corporation’s accredited qualified B.C. labour expenditure in respect of the major production. The credit will be available upon completion of the major production.
Restore the regional and distant location tax credits for animation productions that start principal photography on or after January 1, 2025, for production companies with a physical office in a regional or distant location. Under new rules, animation productions with a “physical office” located in prescribed regional or distant locations may be eligible for these supplemental tax credits provided that the labour expenditures claimed are for workers who are physically present and working in those offices at least 50% of the time.
Learn more
See the Tax Credit Changes and FAQ here.
See the proposed Budget 2025 here.
Since its debut in 2002, Canada Reads has become Canada’s most popular literary competition. Held annually each March, the event features five celebrity defenders who debate the merits of five Canadian-authored books, eliminating one title each day until a champion is crowned.
This year, the 24th edition of the great Canadian book debate, themed “One Book to Change the Narrative,” will take place from March 17 to 20, 2025.
Dandelion by Jamie Chai Yun Liew, published by the B.C.-based publisher Arsenal Pulp Press, will be featured in the debate. The Alberta pastry chef Saïd M’Dahoma will be championing this novel.
This year, three producers from British Columbia will attend CPH:DOX 2025—the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, one of the world’s largest documentary festivals—with support from Creative BC’s Passport to Markets program. The program provides travel support to B.C.-based creative media professionals, helping them access key international markets, conferences, co-production, and co-financing events. Creative BC’s support offsets a portion of travel, accommodation, and registration expenses.
From March 19 to 30, CPH:DOX will introduce a new thematic section focused on human rights. With the theme “Right Here, Right Now” the festival explores critical questions about human, civil, and state rights in a rapidly changing world.
This year’s festival features more than 200 new films from around the world, including a record-breaking 94 world premieres, 23 international premieres, and 8 European premieres.
Our motion picture industry gratefully acknowledges the lands, languages and cultures of the 34 First Nations that are Indigenous to what is now called British Columbia. Visit native-land.ca to learn about your home on native land and how we in the industry can follow On-Screen Protocols and Pathways.
From March 17 – 21 in San Francisco, the Game Developers Conference (GDC) returns, offering game developers a platform to explore cutting-edge technologies through expert-led talks, panels, and workshops.
This year, seven B.C. delegates will attend GDC with support from Creative BC’s Passport to Markets program. The program provides travel support to B.C.-based creative media professionals to access key international markets, conferences, and co-production and co-financing events. Creative BC’s support offsets a portion of travel, accommodation and registration expenses.
The Passport to Markets program is designed to assist producers in exploring co-production partnerships and developing relationships with broadcasters, distributors, and financiers.
About B.C.’s Interactive and Digital Media Industry
British Columbia’s interactive and digital media industry is one of the most dynamic engines in the B.C. economy and is a key driver of skilled jobs that will define the future of the province. B.C.’s green knowledge-based interactive and digital media industry is home to 161 leading video game companies, ranging from world leaders in esports to emerging regional entrepreneurs and employers.
Our motion picture industry gratefully acknowledges the lands, languages and cultures of the 34 First Nations that are Indigenous to what is now called British Columbia. Visit native-land.ca to learn about your home on native land and how we in the industry can follow On-Screen Protocols and Pathways.
