About British Columbia’s Motion Picture Industry
The motion picture industry in British Columbia includes film, television, visual effects (VFX), animation, and post production companies engaged in the creation of scripted and unscripted screen content. Activity spans the full production pipeline—from development and pre-production through filming, VFX, sound, and post production activities supported by studios, specialized vendors, equipment suppliers, and unionized and non-unionized creative labour.
B.C. is one of the largest centres for motion picture production. The province offers an integrated ecosystem of studios, creative and technical professionals, and post-production services that make it a global destination for screen storytelling. Proximity to Los Angeles, competitive federal and provincial tax credits, and a mature infrastructure base attract hundreds of film and television projects to B.C. each year.
Recent Impacts
$3.1B
Total GDP in B.C.
$3.9B
Direct Output in B.C.
41,999
Total Jobs*
CIERA™, 2024e
70K
Est. People incl. Freelancers
CIERA™, 2023
What Changed This Year
Estimated 2024 motion picture numbers ($3.1B in total GDP and 41,999 total jobs) are significantly higher than in 2023 and slightly above 2022 (Source: CIERA™, 2024e). However, Creative BC notes that these figures represent an incomplete picture. Although production spending appears higher in 2024, the number of productions is lower and concentrated in larger productions, meaning this figure didn’t translate into the same volume of production starts, so this volume is experienced vastly different for crews and suppliers.
Year over year increases in production spend are a combination of various factors, including larger production budgets overall due to project scale and other factors such as the result of inflation, rising costs for inputs such as construction materials, equipment rentals, and insurance. Industry sentiment suggests that 2023, 2024, and 2025 were challenging years for production. Looking ahead, there is growing optimism for 2026, supported in part by B.C.’s increased tax credits in 2025.
In 2024, 370+ projects filmed in B.C. (Source: 2024 Film and TV Statistics by Format, Creative BC motion picture tax credit administration). The Province of BC introduced increased motion picture tax credit rates in March 2025.
Why This Matters
The motion picture industry anchors B.C.’s creative-industry ecosystem, sustaining tens of thousands of skilled jobs and positioning the province as a hub for both storytelling innovation and global production investment.
More Information on CIERA™ and Sector Counts
The Motion Picture Industry Mapped Across the Sector Value Chain
CIERA™ maps business activity classified by Statistics Canada through what is known as the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). These NAICS codes are attributed in full or in part to a three-part sector value chain: Creation > Production > Sales + Distribution.
Some of the “culture industries” as defined by Statistics Canada contribute to more than one creative industry; these NAICS cannot easily be attributed to a single creative industry, nor can their business activities be proportionally allocated. In these cases, their economic contributions have been aggregated into CIERA™’s Multi-Creative Industry figures. Outlined boxes below are Multi-Creative Industry Services that contribute to this value chain. See those impacts here. See full annual CIERA™ tables.
Sector Counts
The total number of companies in B.C. is informed by various data sources, including industry submissions, coordinated manual and automated outreach, and comprehensive research.
A Full-Service Motion Picture Hub
Animation
Animation
B.C. is an international force in digital animation, with globally popular series conceived, developed, and produced in the province. Blending technology and imagination, local designers, writers, and animators create award-recognized content for television, feature films, advertising, and interactive media. B.C.’s studios are known for high-end CGI, innovative storytelling, and globally competitive digital production like SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE, K-POP DEMON HUNTERS, “The Snoopy Snow”, and more.
Commercial Advertising
Commercial production is a highly active segment of B.C.’s screen industry, supported by experienced crews across all disciplines. B.C. producers deliver full-service production for domestic and international agencies shooting in the province. With strong infrastructure and creative expertise, the industry supports a wide range of broadcast, digital, and branded content.
Visual Effects
B.C.’s visual effects segment is home to some of the world’s most creative digital artists and technologists. Building on the province’s film and television success, VFX studios deliver world-class animation, compositing, and post services for global productions. With deep technical expertise and innovation, B.C. continues to lead in high-end digital production like INTERSTELLAR, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, and HBO’s “The Last of Us”.
Live Action
British Columbia is a global leader in live-action production, supported by large-scale studios and state-of-the-art infrastructure among the biggest in North America. Complex builds, special effects, and large productions are enabled by experienced crews, suppliers, and service providers. B.C.’s ecosystem delivers reliable, high-capacity production for international film and television.
Post Production
B.C.’s post production and VFX facilities support thousands of film and television projects, earning major international recognition. From feature films to premium series, the industry offers world-class editors, sound designers, and digital artists with a proven global track record. B.C. remains a destination for high-end finishing and creative post services.
Associations + Communities
Key Association
Screen BC: A member-based non-profit representing the voice and vision of B.C.’s motion picture production industry, working to grow a competitive and sustainable industry.
Other Associations, Labour Unions, and Guilds
Animation and Visual Effects Alliance: The voice of B.C.’s animation and visual effects industry, representing studios that have established the province as a global benchmark for excellence in feature film and television while working with government and industry to keep B.C. competitive.
BC Producers Branch (CMPA-BC): The provincial chapter of the Canadian Media Producers Association, representing B.C. production companies and advancing government relations, industrial relations, export, and industry development.
BIPOC TV & FILM: A community-centric non-profit advocating for racial equity, decolonization, reconciliation, and fair work practices in Canada’s screen media industry.
Black Screen Office (BSO): Supports the development, production, and global distribution of Canadian Black screen content while ensuring representation of Black Canadians at all industry levels.
Commercial Production Association of Western Canada: (CPAWC) promotes and protects the commercial production industry in Western Canada. CPAWC endeavors to ensure the ongoing health and success of the commercial production industry in Western Canada.
DigiBC: Digi BC is a non-profit association that promotes, supports, and accelerates the growth, sustainability, and community of B.C.’s creative technology industry, which includes the video games, VFX, animation, VR/AR/XR, and virtual production segments.
Disability Screen Office (DSO): Works with Canada’s screen industry to remove accessibility barriers and support authentic disability representation on and off screen.
Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver (GEMS): A member-based organization advancing gender equity in film and television by addressing systemic barriers and supporting inclusive, representative media.
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE Local 891): IATSE 891 consists of over 10,000 professional artists and technicians who work in film and television production in BC. We support all genres of production at all budget levels and have made some of the biggest feature films and some of the longest running and most successful television series ever screened.
Indigenous Screen Office (ISO): Supports Indigenous storytellers and stories while increasing Indigenous representation throughout Canada’s screen industries.
Knowledge Network: The Knowledge Network is a viewer-supported public broadcaster. Funded by an annual operating grant from the government and donations from viewers.
Motion Picture Association (MPA) Canada: MPA Canada is the leading advocate of the film, television, and streaming industry around the world.
National Screen Institute (NSI): A non-profit training organization supporting creators through industry-informed training and mentorship in film, television, and digital media.
Racial Equity Screen Office (RESO): A Vancouver-based national office supporting mentorship, funding, production, and distribution for racialized Canadian filmmakers and expanding markets for diverse stories.
Vancouver Post Alliance (VPA): Represents B.C.’s post-production industry by promoting talent, supporting professional development, and fostering collaboration across the post community.
Resources
Reel Green™ at Creative BC: Helps Canada’s motion picture industry unite to improve production practices and reduce environmental impacts through strategic collaboration and practical tools.
Creative Pathways™ at Creative BC: A platform created to champion a dynamic motion picture workforce in British Columbia that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive.
Creative Equity Roadmap: A collaborative resource shaped by Creative BC and Elevate Inclusion Strategies, the Creative Equity Roadmap was created for B.C.’s motion picture industry.
Funding
Creative BC Funding Programs: Creative BC’s Reel Focus BC Fund, also known as the Domestic Motion Picture Fund programs support B.C .content creators or B.C.-based production companies with financial support for development and production of B.C. owned and controlled IP.
Canada Media Fund (CMF): Fosters, finances, and promotes the production of Canadian content and interactive media across all audiovisual platforms.
National Film Board of Canada (NFB): Canada’s public producer and distributor of documentary, animation, and digital media, creating and sharing Canadian stories at home and abroad.
TELUS STORYHIVE: Provides production grants, training, and distribution opportunities for creators in B.C. and Alberta to develop careers and tell original stories.
Telefilm Canada: Supports the cultural, commercial, and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry through funding, promotion, and talent development programs.
Visit Creative Pathways’ website for up-to-date funding available for the motion picture industry in B.C.
Education + Careers
Academic and Training
Jobs
Find education pathways, resources, networking events, and jobs on the Creative Pathways™ website.
Find animation and VFX jobs via DigiBC.