Creative Saskatchewan celebrates additional $7.5 million investment into Feature Film and TV Production Grant Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Regina, Saskatchewan
October 20, 2022

Creative Saskatchewan celebrates additional $7.5 million investment into Feature Film and TV Production Grant Program

Creative Saskatchewan applauds the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport’s increased investment of $7.5 million into the Feature Film and Television Production Grant Program. Creative Saskatchewan utilizes Ministry funding to support productions with local expenditures on Saskatchewan labour, goods, and services, in addition to administering and supporting the program.

“An investment of this caliber is estimated to result in approximately $32 million in economic activity for Saskatchewan,” says Erin Dean, CEO of Creative Saskatchewan. “This includes significant opportunities for Saskatchewan’s hospitality and services sector; productions need accommodations, food and beverage services, costumes, props, skilled trades labour, legal and accounting support, and so much more.”

The far-reaching economic impact of the increase is also projected to create more than 140 new jobs for Saskatchewan residents. This increase stems from the overwhelmingly positive reception of the previous increased investment to the program, announced on the 2022 Budget Day.

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

Local producer, Kelly Balon with Karma Film Inc. is pleased with the announcement, “I’m always looking for opportunities to bring productions home and thrilled to be a part of Saskatchewan’s economic growth.” Chris Triffo of Wavelength Entertainment adds “the more productions we can bring into the province, the stronger the industry becomes. This is just the beginning.”

As a direct result of the increased investment, Creative Saskatchewan will open the door to even more production applications, strengthening Saskatchewan’s growth plan by answering the high demand calls for content creation. Since April, Creative Saskatchewan has committed $10.5 million to 13 projects, including two dramatic series, a feature film, and several documentary and children’s series. These projects project spending nearly $27 million on labour, goods and services in Saskatchewan.

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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