Canada’s film sector supports over 180,000 full-time equivalent positions, contributing $20.3 billion to the economy annually. The digital media sector, which includes content such as video games, virtual reality, educational programming, and more, is also a significant contributor to the Canadian economy, and is expected to grow over the next several years. Each year, federal and provincial support offered through both grants and tax credits plays a major role in fueling this growth and has led to Canada’s reputation as a leader in the film/television and digital media industries.
Through this blog, we will discuss recent investments in these sectors, program updates, upcoming deadlines, and other supports open to Canadian production companies in 2025.
Canada-wide funding
Through the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the Indigenous Company Impact Support (ICIS) program announced in January 2025 will provide $50,000 in funding to First Nations, Inuit, or Metis-owned companies who have received funding from CMF in the past. The program will support company advancement through activities including company growth, training, market access, translation services, marketing, and more.
In late 2024, the CMF began administering a portion of the Government of Canada’s Changing Narratives Fund, which provides support to diverse communities and organizations in the audiovisual industry. A new Distributor Program was also launched to Canadian distributors to access funding, while eliminating the requirement of a Canadian broadcaster. Additional updates include the Interactive and Immersive Program administered by the Indigenous Screen Office, which funded interactive digital media products, while several million dollars were invested in 25 innovative IDM projects in August. Updates on new programs, funded projects, and more news from the CMF will be announced throughout 2025.
In 2024, $100 million was promised over two years for Telefilm Canada to elevate Canada’s content creators and producers. Overall, $780 million was proposed in direct support to several institutions, including the Canada Media Fund, the Indigenous Screen Office, and the National Film Board of Canada.
Alberta
Applications are accepted annually to Alberta Made Screen Industries programs. For the Alberta Made Production Grant, companies can receive funding for both labour and non-labour costs, and applications are due on January 16 and July 16. For the Post-Production, Visual Effects and Digital Animation Grant, applications are accepted until March 1. Intake for the Project/Script Development Grant closes on March 1 and September 1 annually.
British Columbia
As of June 1, 2024, animation productions have been excluded from the regional and distant location tax credits under Film Incentive BC (FIBC). However, animation productions are still eligible for the basic tax credits, the production services tax credits, and the digital animation, visual effects, and post-production services tax credits.
As of September 1, 2024, gambling products are ineligible for the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit.
Nova Scotia
The Screen Nova Scotia Content Creator Fund (CCF) contributes to Nova Scotia-based film and television productions. Applications for 2025 are open, with updated guidelines. Support for film and television productions can also be received through the Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund.
The Digital Animation Tax Credit and the Digital Media Tax Credit remain open to Nova-Scotia based animation and digital media companies.
Ontario
According to Ontario’s Budget 2024, productions receiving support from provincial programs spent $3.2 billion in Ontario in 2022, leading to 45,000 full-time jobs. In addition to commitments to updated tax credit eligibility and screen credit requirements announced in previous years, eligibility has been modified for the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit (OCASE). This involves new rules requiring a minimum Ontario labour expenditure threshold of $25,000. The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit regional bonus is currently under review to ensure effective support for provincial productions.
As of January 2025, Ontario Creates has launched the IP (Intellectual Property) Fund to combine the existing Film Fund (Development and Production streams) as well as the Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund into a single program supporting screen-based content creation. Ontario companies will be able to apply for funding through two project streams: Linear, for film and digital series, and Interactive, for video games and extended reality content. Two intakes will take place in the 2025-26 fiscal year with deadlines to be announced for mid-April and late-September. Interested companies can attend information sessions on both streams of the new program, which will be taking place throughout February.
Quebec
In December 2024, a partnership between CMF and the Quebecor Fund led to a nearly $1-million investment for eight productions. Applications to Quebecor Fund’s Television Production Assistance Program, will be accepted until April 1, 2025.
Find out more
Contact us for assistance with tax preparation or grant applications if your business is incorporated and working on a production in either film, television, or interactive digital media in Canada.