The B.C. film and TV sector’s last fiscal year can be summed up in one word: blockbuster.
Production volume on the West Coast reached an all-time high of $2.991 billion in the 2016-17 fiscal year, according to the Profile 2017 report released February 2 by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA).
Gains in foreign productions totalled more than $700 million, while domestic productions increased by $100 million last year, helping B.C. overtake Ontario as the largest centre for film and TV production.
B.C. accounted for 36% of production volume in Canada compared with Ontario’s 35% ($2.977 billion).
B.C. also surpassed Ontario in terms of employment after year-over-year job growth increased 39.5% from 43,620 full-time equivalent jobs to 60,870 full-time jobs.
Meanwhile, Canadian TV productions from producers based in B.C. increased 26% to $504 million, while the volume of theatrical films from local producers increased 92.7% to $79 million.
