Manitoba: A Skilled Production Community Backed by Generous Tax Credits

Manitoba enjoys a highly-skilled production community that is backed by Canada’s most generous tax credit system.

Manitoba’s advantages came to our attention when we worked with the province’s leading non-fiction producers in the lead up to Real Screen 2013.

Here is a practical user’s guide to Manitoba’s industry – its structures, benefits and talent.

KEY AGENCIES / ORGANIZATIONS

Manitoba Film and Music

Manitoba Film and Music is the provincial agency in Manitoba, Canada that is responsible for Film Commission duties, provincial tax credit incentives and an equity fund.
It takes the lead in promoting Manitoba as a versatile and affordable filming location. Read more here.

On Screen Manitoba

On Screen Manitoba is the provincial non-profit member-driven organization that represents the 1200 odd media production industry professionals of Manitoba, Canada.
Its members include writers, directors, producers, unions, guilds, training organizations, film festivals and other industry stakeholders.
On Screen Manitoba undertakes a number of market and business development initiatives to provide the Manitoba production industry with opportunity to connect with national and international industry leaders and decision-makers. Read more here.

INDUSTRY PROFILE

Talent & Scale

Manitoba has a vibrant creative sector that includes many talented writers, directors and producers who contribute to the whole of the Canadian film, television and interactive media production sector.
For 25+ years, Manitoba’s film and television production industry has developed experienced producers, a dependable infrastructure and award-winning talent.
Manitoba has over 20 active production companies that create original content and that co-produce with partners from around the world.
These production companies are led by seasoned service producers who have worked with and for international studios such as Fox, Universal and MGM.
Reflecting Manitoba’s diverse population, content is produced in English, French and Aboriginal languages.
Open to new experiences, languages and cultures our production community welcomes the opportunity to work with co-producers from other countries.

Flexibility

Manitoba producers pride themselves on their capacity to work collaboratively with local and out-of-province partners to adapt rapidly to a changing media production environment.
An increasing number of Manitoba producers have experience developing and managing interactive and/or multiplatform projects whether in television, film or web-based production.
Manitoba has a well-established infrastructure that accommodates large or micro-budget projects with ease and flexibility.
The province’s 14 year-old tax credit is a stable production incentive with a proven track record and no annual cap.

International and Cross-Border Experience

From an international media production assurance company to financing and legal expertise, Manitoba production service suppliers are well versed in the challenges and opportunities of Canadian and international projects.
Manitoba production industry suppliers have decades of experience working with large international studios, as well as small Indie productions.
Combining a purpose built sound stage with adapted warehouses, Manitoba can comfortably accommodate multiple productions at any given time.
We also have post-production facilities with a Dolby certified recording studio.
Two dedicated film offices offer location scouting, permit and logistics support along with legendary financial incentives and problem solving at the speed of production.

Talent + Development

Manitoba’s local talent pool has won awards on both sides of the camera.
From writers, directors, actors and producers whose work is regularly showcased at major festivals such as TIFF, Berlin, Cannes, and Sundance to the talented keys that are sought after beyond our borders.
Manitoba is a strong production centre with excellent training and professional development opportunities for all industry players.
It is host province to Canada’s National Screen Institute, and boasts a thirty-year old artist-run film centre — The Winnipeg Film Group, post-secondary programs in both French and English, a burgeoning New Media sector and industry-driven training programs through Film Training Manitoba.

MANITOBA PRODUCTION INCENTIVES

Manitoba offers three tax credits: