As provincial film and television productions continue to attract investment into the province and garner national and international followings, Budget 2022: Change is in the air supports the film and television industry in its efforts to expand the local talent pipeline and create jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Budget 2022 investments in the film and television industry include:

• Approximately $10 million for a new Film and Media Production Centre at College of the North Atlantic in St. John’s which includes $2.6 million for operating costs and one-time investments for equipment and renovations;
• A new All Spend Film and Video Production Tax Credit; and
• $10 million for the Film and Television Equity Investment Program.

With approximately 1,400 jobs currently in the film and television industry in this province, there are still significant growth and career opportunities available right here at home. To help grow the industry, College of the North Atlantic will create a new Film and Media Production Centre in St. John’s. This campus will prepare students for exciting and diverse careers in the film industry, with new program offerings in TV and Film Technical Production, Creation, Post-Production, Production Management and Visual Effects.

As part of this new project, the College has also signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Toronto Film School, the Canadian Film Centre and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, allowing local students to transfer credits with these partner institutions. This will allow College of the North Atlantic students to further their training with connections to some of the most recognizable and established programs in this country.

Provincial Government funding through Budget 2022 will support renovation and equipment costs for the new campus, which will be located at existing real estate on Strawberry Marsh Road in St. John’s. Classes are expected to start in September 2022.

A new All Spend Film and Video Production Tax Credit provides eligible productions with a 30 per cent tax credit with a cap of $10 million annually per project. This further incentivizes both local and international film studios to choose Newfoundland and Labrador as a premiere destination for their upcoming projects.

Budget 2022 also includes $10 million for the Film and Television Equity Investment Program, which provides funding to eligible producers through the NL Film Development Corporation for the financing of productions in the province. This program supports local productions that in turn create jobs and economic offshoots, often in rural areas of the province.

Quotes
“No matter where they work or what they do, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are recognized for their creativity and their storytelling abilities. It is no wonder that these traits have made our film and television industry such a fast-growing success story. Our government is proud to support the film and television industry in its efforts to expand the local talent pipeline and create jobs in this province through Budget 2022 investments.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“The new Film and Media Production Centre at College of the North Atlantic will help to prepare students for exciting and diverse careers in filmmaking and production, preparing them for a diverse range of careers that they can pursue right here at home. I thank the College for its continued focus on meeting the labour market needs of this province, and we will continue to invest in valuable post-secondary programs that meet the needs of our post-secondary students.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Education

“The growth in Newfoundland and Labrador’s film and television industry has been nothing short of amazing. We have so much to offer – our land and vistas, our history and architecture, our culture and arts. Our people are creative, vibrant, humorous and great storytellers. So it makes sense that we are becoming one of the most renowned film destinations in the world. I look forward to continuing relationships and discussions with members of the film and television industry and wish College of the North Atlantic all the best with their new programming.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“The Newfoundland and Labrador film and television industry is a blockbuster in the making and these investments will ensure our workforce is ready to ‘hit their marks’ and participate in this creative and dynamic field. The initiatives announced today complement the over $200 million in Budget 2022 to train our workforce for the jobs of the future, especially in sectors like entertainment that represent tremendous potential.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

“College of the North Atlantic’s strong connection with the Newfoundland and Labrador arts community has just been taken to a new level. This investment in CNA to deliver a suite of programs specifically related to television and film at a campus in this province makes perfect sense. Our distinct culture easily sets the stage for the production and promotion of tremendously talented artists in our midst. To do so at a local state-of-the-art facility where technology will be combined with artistry to magically bring stories to life on television and the big screen is brilliant. CNA is proud to be part of the behind-the-scenes action that will eventually end up front and centre in projects for the world to see.”
Liz Kidd
President and Chief Executive Officer, College of the North Atlantic

“You can have a brilliant idea, you can have a spectacular location, you can even have the money, but until you have the labour to pull it off, you don’t have anything. These investments from the province will support our industry in growing our labour force.”
John Vatcher
Executive Producer, Take the Shot Productions

“This new College of the North Atlantic program, created in close consultation with industry and unions, will make the entire sector more competitive in national and international markets. It’s a win for everyone!”
Paul Pope
Founder, Pope Productions

“This is an exciting time for the film and television industry in this province! Government’s continued support through enhanced incentives for production, and today’s announcement of the film school at the College of the North Atlantic, ensures the continued growth of the film industry in this province.”
Chris Bonnell
Executive Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation

– 30 –

Learn more
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @EDU_GovNL, @IPGS_GovNL and @TCAR_GovNL

Like us on Facebook

Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960, 725-9231
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca

Tina Coffey
Education
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

Adrienne Luther
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-729-4819, 730-2953
adrienneluther@gov.nl.ca

Michelle Barry
Communications Manager
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
Michelle.barry@cna.nl.ca

Laura Churchill
NL Film Development Corporation
709-738-3423
laura@nlfdc.ca