In an announcement this week, the Nova Scotia government has pledged $23 million for Nova Scotia’s film industry.
While our industry has worked hard to build back production volume in Nova Scotia over the past seven years, a soundstage and a content creator fund are two critical pieces of infrastructure that will propel us towards our full growth potential. – Screen Nova Scotia executive director Laura Mackenzie
The money will be used for two initiatives that will see $8 million allocated toward a soundstage to increase the industry’s capacity and $15 million for the new Nova Scotia Content Creator Fund designed to benefit local film and television productions.
“Film is a crucial and growing part of Nova Scotia’s economy, creating jobs, bringing international investments and showing the world what Nova Scotia has to offer,” says Nova Scotia premier Tim Houston in a media release. “These investments will help show international producers that Nova Scotia is a great place to film, while making sure local creators have the resources they need to thrive.”
The Nova Scotia Content Creator Fund will provide $3 million per year over five years to eligible Nova Scotia-led productions, with Screen Nova Scotia administering the fund and leading the development of a 4,645 square-metre soundstage facility. The facility is expected to cost $20 million in total, with further support coming from other partners and private investors.
“This investment marks an exciting and pivotal moment in time for our sector,” says Screen Nova Scotia executive director Laura Mackenzie. “While our industry has worked hard to build back production volume in Nova Scotia over the past seven years, a soundstage and a content creator fund are two critical pieces of infrastructure that will propel us towards our full growth potential.”
As part of the investment, government and Screen Nova Scotia representatives will travel to Los Angeles in March to meet with decision-makers from Disney, Netflix, NBC Universal and other studios.
According to the government, the film industry contributed approximately $180.8 million to Nova Scotia’s economy in 2021-2022, up from $91.6 million in 2020-21, and supported 82 projects through the Film and Television Production Incentive Fund that same year.