Revamped TV, film production grant program starts rolling in Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan government has made additional changes to get more lights, cameras and action in the province’s TV and film industry.

In the March budget, the government announced an $8-million increase to the Creative Saskatchewan film production grant, hiking it from $2 million to $10 million.

On Monday, the province revealed the Creative Saskatchewan Feature Film and Television Production Program will feature a $5-million funding threshold for film or TV projects that eligible production companies can access in the 2022-23 year.

The threshold used to be $600,000. For grant requests of more than $5 million, an Order in Council would be needed.

The application window for the 2022-23 Creative Saskatchewan Feature Film and Television Production Grant is now open.

The government hopes the bonus structure will encourage spending in rural areas of the province while also boosting co-production and post-production opportunities.

It also believes attracting production companies to Saskatchewan will create job opportunities for designers, costumers, performers and writers.

“The conditions are in place for Saskatchewan to attract solid film and television projects to our province in coming months,” Creative Saskatchewan chief executive officer Erin Dean said in a media release.

“These changes will support projects creating jobs and skill sets in Saskatchewan, generate spending at local businesses, and leverage out-of-province investment into Saskatchewan.”