'Firmly on the map': Alberta film and TV industry optimistic for a strong, stable 2025

After a somewhat unpredictable 2024, Alberta’s film and television industry is anticipating a more stable and profitable 2025.

The post-pandemic years have the province “firmly on the map,” according to the union that represents Calgary’s film and television crews.

“We feel pretty bullish that we’re going to have a good year next year,” IATSE 212 president Damian Petti said.

“There are a number of episodic shows that are picking up for additional seasons, and there’s been a fair amount of scouting. And of course, the exchange rate will work in our favour.”

The low loonie should entice more American crews to this side of the border, but Petti said the effects likely won’t be felt until the end of the second quarter of 2025.

“When we talk to producers who are budgeting shows for the coming year, I’ve heard lately that $0.68 is kind of a sweet spot,” he said. “That’s a tipping point.”

But it’s not just the Canadian dollar attracting foreign productions.

In March, the union finalized a three-year agreement with Netflix that will incentivize the streaming giant to shoot more in the area.

The agreement was followed by a big local fourth quarter, with several major film and television productions coming to the Calgary area in 2024, including Die My Love, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, and a limited series about JonBenét Ramsey starring Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen.

“And we have several other projects that we will be prepping,” Petti said. “There are a number of episodic series, such as Billy the Kid and Fraggle Rock. We also often see renewals from Heartland.”

A report earlier this month showed foreign film production nearly tripled in Alberta last year, despite overall declines across Canada.

The province experienced a 291 per cent increase in foreign location and service production during the 2023/24 fiscal year, the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) said in its Profile 2024 report.

“There are tax breaks, there are skilled staff and production crews on the ground, and all of that will attract investment,” political scientist Keith Brownsey told CTV News.

“That low Canadian dollar will only help. They’re going to get all sorts of new production coming to Alberta.”