Calgary Film Industry Booms as Alberta Tax Credit Attracts Major Productions
The province’s enhanced film tax credit has drawn $800 million in production spending to Alberta in 2025.
Alberta’s enhanced film and television tax credit has attracted a record $800 million in production spending to the province in 2025, with Calgary emerging as a major North American filming destination.
Record Year
The Alberta Film Commission reports that 42 major film and television productions chose Alberta locations in 2025, up from 18 in 2022. The province’s 22–30% refundable tax credit on eligible production spending, combined with Calgary’s diverse landscapes, trained crew base, and lower costs compared to Vancouver and Toronto, has proven irresistible to studios.
“Alberta has gone from an afterthought to a first-choice destination for major productions,” said Alberta Film Commission head Luke Azevedo. “The tax credit changed the game, and the talent and infrastructure we’ve built are keeping productions coming back.”
Economic Impact
The $800 million in production spending directly supports an estimated 6,500 jobs in Alberta, from actors and crew to caterers, drivers, and hotel workers. Calgary’s studio infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with two new purpose-built sound stages opening in 2025.
Local Success
The boom has created opportunities for local talent. Calgary-based production company Prairie Dog Films has quadrupled its staff since 2022 and is now working on its first original series for a major streaming platform.
“Five years ago, if you wanted to work in film in Canada, you moved to Vancouver or Toronto,” said Prairie Dog co-founder Mei Chicken Chief. “Now you can build a career right here in Calgary.”
The government has committed to maintaining the tax credit through at least 2030, providing the certainty the industry says it needs to justify long-term investment.