Entertainment and Media
Canada has one of the world’s most innovative, cost-effective and talented creative industries ecosystems—and investors know it. From best-selling video games to Hollywood blockbusters, Canada’s portfolio is undeniably diverse. Recognized as a global leader in video game production, visual effects (VFX) and animation, Canada is an obvious choice for investors looking to grow their entertainment and media business.
Support for video games in Canada has been tremendous and the net result is that Canadian games are by far some of the best in the world.
Visual effects and animation in Canada
Canada’s digital media studios provide visual effects and animation for Hollywood blockbusters and Academy award-nominated films. Multimedia technologies that major studios rely on for films like Maya, Houdini and Harmony were developed here.
Video games in Canada
Ever played a game of FIFA 19, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey or Shadow of the Tomb Raider? These best-selling games were all developed in Canada, and they’re only a snapshot of what Canadian talent has to offer. In 2021, video game production contributed $4.3 billion to Canada’s GDP and supported over 55,300 jobs.
Film and television in Canada
Known as Hollywood North, Canada is home to many large studio films and television show productions. While Canadian cities often serve as doubles for European and American locations, our landscapes have been used as the backdrop of some of the world’s most acclaimed movies like Titanic and The Revenant. In 2020, film and television contributed $12.2 billion to Canada’s GDP and supported nearly 245,000 jobs.
Investing in entertainment and media in Canada
Talent
Canada’s high caliber digital media schools train a highly skilled workforce of animation, design, video-game development and VFX professionals. Sought after programs are offered at academic institutions across the country, including:
- Vancouver Film School
- Vancouver’s Centre for Digital Media
- Emily Carr University of Art and Design (Vancouver)
- Ontario College of Art and Design University (Toronto)
- Sheridan College (Toronto)
- School of Arts, Animation and Design (NAD) (Montreal)
- Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University (NSCAD) (Halifax)
Incentives
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) delivers financial support to the Canadian TV and digital media industries.
The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program provides income tax credits and deductions on eligible R&D expenditures. Examples include:
- Algorithm design
- System performance improvements
- Inter-operability with 3rd party products
- Rendering: frame rates improvements & physics simulations
Several Canadian provinces also offer attractive financial incentives.
British Columbia
Alberta
- Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (IDMTC)
- Post-Production, Visual Effects and Digital Animation Grant
Ontario
Québec
Manitoba
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
You’re in good company
Recent Investment Announcements
Netflix
Netflix has announced it will open its first Canadian office in Toronto. This first corporate office will join Netflix’s current studio operations in Toronto and Vancouver and reinforces the company’s recognition of the entertainment and media industry in Canada. To date, Netflix has invested $2.5 billion in productions in Canada.
NetEase
NetEase, one of China’s leading internet and online game services providers, has launched a new video game studio in Montréal, Québec. NetEase plans to hire local and international talent for this R&D-focused studio in North America.
Square Enix
Square Enix, an integrated entertainment group, announced the creation of 100 game development jobs at its Montréal studios. In addition to the opening of 100 new positions in 2019, Square Enix is renovating the Eidos-Montreal offices with sophisticated equipment including state-of-the-art technology such as high-performance motion capture and photogrammetry studios, a user research laboratory, and a mixing and voice recording studio.
Ubisoft
France-based video game developer Ubisoft Entertainment officially opened its latest studio in Winnipeg's Exchange District. The new studio already has 25 employees and Ubisoft has pledged to create a total of 100 new jobs and invest a total of $35 million in Manitoba over the next five years.
Pixomondo
Pixomondo, which produces and distributes visual effects for feature films and television and commercial productions, is opening a new studio in Montreal, Québec. This investment will enable the creation of 180 specialized jobs within the next three years.