The Alberta film industry which is booming is placed on hold. Since 2023, the productions have been stagnant with hundreds of planned movies being either shelved or simply stuck in development hell. Groups of chairs go unwanted. There is a silence in the studios. And the trickle- down was utilized by all of them: the directors and lighting technicians. But why then should all come to a snarl so soon? And are there new chances in the province of re- establishing the screen identity?
Government Actions That Triggered the Halt
Early 2023 the Film and Television Tax Credit (FTTC), a major financial programme that refunded up to 30 percent of the production expenses, was cancelled by the Alberta government. This was a sudden switch that was not much anticipated. The majority of the movie producers that had organized productions depending on the assurance of the rebates, now were experiencing lapses in funding that assurance.
The retrenchment was not that alone. Another fund program that lost a massive share was Alberta Media Fund (AMF) which gave a grant to local film makers. The resultant effect? Alberta was deprived of its competitiveness. Tax credits were enjoyed in other states such as British Columbia and Ontario and this attracted the productions to these states.
The government made the move on the basis of a budget constraint. It seemed to the industry, that during the middle of a scene, the rug had been pulled.
Projects That Were Delayed or Canceled
The result was a sudden painful outcome. As of March 2023, 40 projects that have not yet been released, and have been delayed or canceled in the intervening period, must be played on independent (indie) or studio-supported game project.
Here are just a few examples:
- “Black River”, a mid-budget thriller, lost its Calgary location deal and halted pre-production.
- A children’s series for a national broadcaster was scrapped due to lost provincial funding.
- Two Indigenous documentaries, set for shooting in Drumheller, failed to secure bridge financing.
Most of them did not produce glamorous products. But they increased the employment/representation of the local crews and populations.
Workforce Impact Across Roles
Over 500 of the crew which includes set builders, line producers, etc lost their jobs or lost them to another location. The rigid ones opted out of the industry. Some transferred the work to Vancouver or Toronto.
Edmonton and Calgary post-secondary film programs also registered a post-COVID-19 decline in registration towards the end of 2024, with less than a third of students who enrolled in 2023 returning due to insufficient hiring opportunities in the country.
A retired teacher of film courses at SAIT added, We drilled students to remain here. Now we inform them to move. Makeup folks, drivers, editors – they all were hit. It was not financial only the loss. It was cultural.
How the Industry Tried to Stay Afloat
A number of filmmakers resorted to guerilla filmmaking – tiny crews, low finances, and self-made alternatives. There was an increase in Alberta-made contents on YouTube series and local OTT platforms. The six-day production on borrowed gear of one standout, Prairie Line, won a regional web award.
Others constructed local coalitions. Albertan filmmakers would collaborate with Saskatchewanian or Manitoban teams to economize the costs required to produce a film and meet other up-eligibility conditions.
Producers were even seeing co-productions with the U.S. but exchange rate and logistics restricted the route. These were all stopgaps and not solutions. Sustainability was not a possibility.
Paths to Recovery and Industry Response
Directors Guild of Canada (DGC Alberta) and ACTRA boards were in the frontline of lobbying to reinstate the FTTC. In 2024 a petition demanding legislative review was signed by over 7,000 people. MLAs were leaked with letters.
At the same time, new policy proposals surfaced:
- A tiered tax rebate model based on budget size
- A pilot fund for Indigenous and rural creators
- Private investment incentives for Alberta-based studios
While some politicians voiced support, no laws have passed as of mid-2025. Talks are ongoing. But with a provincial election on the horizon, momentum may return.
Conclusion: Alberta’s Crossroads
It can roll the dice on the rest of the economy – or go completely by reimagining its creative economy. The talent is not lost. The sceneries are present. What is lacking is a structure – a support, which will make filmmakers worth remaining in Alberta.
The province can easily end up a part of Canadian cinematography history unless its government acts promptly. However, it may start again working as a center of various, high-level production with will power, alliances, and real funding tools.
