Alberta budgeting millions to grow the province’s creative sector

'The Last of Us' was shot in about 180 locations across Alberta, including Calgary, Edmonton and Waterton, over the span of more than a year.

The provincial government is putting $235 million toward the Film and Tax Credit program over the next three years.

The Film and Television Tax Credit program offers tax incentives to make filming in Alberta more lucrative for large- and medium-scale productions that spend at least $500,000.

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Since it began in 2020, more than 200 productions have used the program, “with many more on the way,” according to the province.

Projects already approved are expected to spend around $1.5 billion in the province, including on crews, hotels and equipment, according to Matt Jones, minister of jobs, economy and trade.

That spending is anticipated to account for an estimated $852 million in gross domestic product and support more than 14,000 jobs.

Big-name productions like The Last of Us, Heartland, Jumanji and Ghostbusters have all filmed in Alberta.

The province made the announcement at The Stunt Garage in Edmonton, which is home to Emmy award-winning stunt performer Martin Cochingco.

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“Traditionally, we haven’t been known as a film hub … I think we do a lot of things better than L.A.,” Cochingco said. “We have great restaurants, a great road system compared to most other cities … you can always have more, but we have a strong base to start off with.

“I’m actually now starting to be able to stay in the province, in the city here, to be able to work, and I love that.”

Jones said the program has also been changed in response to industry feedback.

“There’s now a longer application window, there are clear rules and less red tape, the government is now funding more genres, including game shows and reality TV, and we are providing additional incentives to film in Alberta’s diverse and rural regions.”

Rural Alberta has seen its share of the spotlight, with projects like Ghostbusters: Afterlife filming mainly in places like Fort Macleod, Drumheller and Beiseker.

“Alberta’s cultural industries are not only vibrant, they are vital to our identity, our communities and our economy,” said Tanya Fir, minister of culture and status of women.

“They showcase our landscapes, culture, voices and unique stories to share with the world.”

According to Fir, when she was in L.A. in 2024 meeting with TV and film executives and producers, they said programs like the Film and Television Tax Credit “put us in the big leagues.”

The province also announced it is putting $8 million towards the Alberta Media Fund.

The province said film and television projects supported by the Alberta Media Fund have generated more than $35 million in spending and created more than 450 jobs in Alberta since 2020.

The media fund can be used to support book, magazine and music publishers and film and TV productions.