Written by on Feb 10, 2012. Posted in On Location

Foreign location filming production spend in Ontario soars 30% in 2011

Ontario had a great 2011 with a 30% increase in direct spend from foreign shoots, including a nearly 50% rise in international features. International TV shoots rose by a little over 25%. The overall production spend throughout the province was also up 30%, surpassing the CAD1 billion mark.

It is a testimonial to the fact that Ontario offers a 'total package' of incentives to attract foreign and domestic productions.

Karen Thorne-Stone, OMDC

Karen Thorne-Stone is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), which compiled the figures: “It is a testimonial to the fact that Ontario offers a 'total package' of incentives to attract foreign and domestic productions, including the right mix of Government support, stable and competitive financial incentives, world-class infrastructure, superb talent and skills, and diverse locations.”

Toronto is especially popular as a global production hub, rivalling its US counterparts. The city has recently hosted remakes of The Thing and Total Recall, as well as the Steven Spielberg-produced TV series Falling Skies.

(Main page image copyright: John Vetterli)