REGINA - Creative Saskatchewan is getting an infusion of more funding from the provincial government.
An additional $7.5 million is being provided to the Creative Saskatchewan Feature Film and Television Production Grant Program for the 2022-23 year.
The province had already boosted its commitment to the grant program by committing $10 million in this year’s provincial budget, which was an increase from $2 million. This $7.5 million will be added to that total, meaning more funds available for production companies.
The latest funding announcement signals a sea change in support of the film and TV industry by the Sask Party government, which had scrapped the previous Film and TV Tax Credit in 2012.
The boost in funding this year has been touted by the government as spurring interest from the film, TV and digital industries in shooting in Saskatchewan.
Earlier this summer it was announced that King of Killers: the series, has committed to filming at the Regina soundstage. The Saskatchewan-Manitoba co-production is receiving $8 million from Creative Saskatchewan.
Creative Saskatchewan has also reported a spike in interest and applications from other production companies seeking funding to shoot their projects in the province.
"This investment is expected to create more than 140 new jobs in our province," Creative Saskatchewan CEO Erin Dean said. She also said it is calculated this investment will lead to over $32 million dollars in economic activity in the province.
"Since the budget announcement in March Creative Saskatchewan has been very busy fielding inquiries from productions looking for a province as a potential location to film... This new funding will allow us to respond to applications in queue and bring more shows and more economic spin-offs to Saskatchewan."
"After four months of applications being open we are proud to announce the Creative Saskatchewan Film and Television Production Grant was fully utilized, providing $10 million to 13 exciting projects," said Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross at the event.
"To say the grant program has been extremely well received by the industry has been an understatement... The success of Creative Saskatchewan's Feature Film and Television Production Grant Program, including additional funding and regulatory uptake, has raised the profile of Saskatchewan's film and television production industry. And we are so thankful for the support we have received. We look forward to celebrating future programming announcements together as productions begin here at the John Hopkins Soundstage, as well as various locations throughout our province over the coming months and into the future."
