(l to r) NLDGC Chair Erin French, NL Premier Andrew Furey, National DGC President Warren Sonoda.

As provincial film and television productions continue to attract investment into the province and garner national and international followings, Budget 2022: Change is in the air supports the film and television industry in its efforts to expand the local talent pipeline and create jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Budget 2022 investments in the film and television industry include:

• Approximately $10 million for a new Film and Media Production Centre at College of the North Atlantic in St. John’s which includes $2.6 million for operating costs and one-time investments for equipment and renovations;
• A new All Spend Film and Video Production Tax Credit; and
• $10 million for the Film and Television Equity Investment Program.

With approximately 1,400 jobs currently in the film and television industry in this province, there are still significant growth and career opportunities available right here at home. To help grow the industry, College of the North Atlantic will create a new Film and Media Production Centre in St. John’s. This campus will prepare students for exciting and diverse careers in the film industry, with new program offerings in TV and Film Technical Production, Creation, Post-Production, Production Management and Visual Effects.

As part of this new project, the College has also signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Toronto Film School, the Canadian Film Centre and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, allowing local students to transfer credits with these partner institutions. This will allow College of the North Atlantic students to further their training with connections to some of the most recognizable and established programs in this country.

Provincial Government funding through Budget 2022 will support renovation and equipment costs for the new campus, which will be located at existing real estate on Strawberry Marsh Road in St. John’s. Classes are expected to start in September 2022.

A new All Spend Film and Video Production Tax Credit provides eligible productions with a 30 per cent tax credit with a cap of $10 million annually per project. This further incentivizes both local and international film studios to choose Newfoundland and Labrador as a premiere destination for their upcoming projects.

Budget 2022 also includes $10 million for the Film and Television Equity Investment Program, which provides funding to eligible producers through the NL Film Development Corporation for the financing of productions in the province. This program supports local productions that in turn create jobs and economic offshoots, often in rural areas of the province.

Read more on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador website HERE