Creative Saskatchewan announces new multicultural TV series filmed in Regina, Saskatchewan: Total estimated economic output $3.5 million

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Regina, Saskatchewan
December 5, 2022

Creative Saskatchewan announces new multicultural TV series filmed in Regina, Saskatchewan: Total estimated economic output $3.5 million

Creative Saskatchewan is pleased to announce a new production, Our Big Punjabi Family, filmed in Regina. This female led, South Asian comedy series has an estimated spend of over $1,867,000 on Saskatchewan labour, goods, and services with a total economic output of $3.5 million for Saskatchewan. Creative Saskatchewan has committed $746,818 via the Feature Film and Television Production Grant Program.

“A production of this caliber will inject more than $1,019,000 into local labour alone,” says Erin Dean, CEO of Creative Saskatchewan. “Never mind the countless opportunities for Saskatchewan’s hospitality and services sector,” to the tune of over $278,000, according to production estimates, “productions need accommodations, food and beverage services, costumes, props, skilled trades labour to build sets, legal and accounting support, and so much more.” The far-reaching economic impacts of the project also include 18 production days, with training initiatives and hiring at least 40 Saskatchewan crew.

“We’re very excited to see the snowball-effects of investment,” adds Dean. “Once we announced that Saskatchewan was open for film and television business, the phones have been ringing off the hook. It’s amazing to see local producers leveraging the opportunities, and to connect with new producers who may not have considered Saskatchewan as a film location before now.”

Delivered in English and Punjabi, the hilarious, quick-witted writing by South Asian showrunner Leena Manro offers a unique, diverse take on Indo-Canadian family life. The story follows a big South Asian family forced to live together due to the high cost of the Canadian housing Market. Hilarity ensues as four generations try to balance tradition with modern life, amidst cultural misunderstandings and meddling aunties. The show is also directed by women, including award winning director Agam Darshi (Donkeyhead), with consulting producers Sara B. Cooper (The Porter) and Scott Smith (Call me Fitz).

The series is produced by Kelly Balon and Anand Ramayya of Karma Film Inc., who are well-known in the local film scene for their work on Donkeyhead and the upcoming series, King of Killers. “I’m always looking for opportunities to bring productions home and thrilled to be a part of Saskatchewan’s economic growth, especially with content from underrepresented creators,” says Balon, “the more productions we can bring into the province, the stronger the industry becomes in this renaissance of screen-based opportunity. This is just the beginning.”

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About Creative Saskatchewan
Creative Saskatchewan is the economic development agency for Saskatchewan’s creative industries. Creative Saskatchewan unlocks the potential of the creative industries and fuels the economic engine of homegrown talent, converting creativity into cashflow. The agency’s investments propel creative entrepreneurs as they create, perform, innovate, and export in their pursuit of commercial success.

For more information or to provide commentary, please contact:

Megan Jane, Manager of Marketing and Communications, Creative Saskatchewan
C: (306) 529-7377 | megan.jane@creativesask.ca | creativesask.ca