Film Commission

Manitoba has the complete package. Film your next project with us and you can access the highest tax credit in Canada, crews with over 25 years of experience and world class co-producers and service providers.

"Everything about my experience shooting in Manitoba exceeded expectations - from the talented and hard-working crew to the incredible support from Manitoba Film & Music. We made our film on time and on budget. I'm already planning another Manitoba production!"   - Keith Samples, Producer and Director

How can Manitoba Film & music assist you during the various stages of production?

Stage 1: Development

• Script breakdown
• Tailored digital location photo packages on dedicated secure site (hard copies available on request)
• Digital production information including the Manitoba Film and Video Production Tax Credit and the Manitoba Film & Television Production Guide
• Preliminary scouting services including assistance with accommodations for initial scout
• Facilitate and accompany producer scouts
• Follow-up scouting as required
• Liaising and putting you in contact with “problem solvers” for your filming needs
• Preliminary use of MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC offices for initial meetings, etc. until the production office is set-up (use of boardroom, fax machine, photocopier)
• Assistance in arranging meetings with Unions, Guilds, Associations, Civic, Municipal and Provincial Government contacts
• In-house location photo library available for use

Stage 2: Pre-Production

• Work with Production/Location Managers to facilitate access to sensitive locations
• Assist with permit procedures for provincial and federal jurisdictions
• Continued use of our in-house location photo library by Location Managers and Production Designers

Stage 3: Principal Photography

• 24-hour production support
• Your first Provincial Government contact should issues arise
• Liaise with Municipal and Local Government Agencies

These incentives combined with an outstanding tax credit program make Manitoba an irresistible film destination.

What has filmed in Manitoba recently?

Here are just a few examples of projects that have shot, or are currently shooting, in Manitoba:

• Channel Zero
• Menorca
• Siberia
• A Dog's Purpose
• Channel Zero
• Lovesick
• Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees
• The Pinkertons
• Hyena Road
• Wait 'Til Helen Comes
• Borealis
• Sunnyside
• Bunks
• Aloft
• Reasonable Doubt
• The Good Lie
• We Were Children
• Smarty Plants (The Nature of Things) (Documentary)
• Jack
• Goon
• The Don Cherry Story (Parts 1 and 2)
• One Ocean (Documentary)
• Capote
• La ruee vers l'or
• The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
• Surviving :) The Teenage Brain (The Nature of Things) Documentary
• Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
• Passionflower
• Less Than Kind (TV)
• The Haunting in Connecticut
• New in Town
• Whiteout
• Todd and the Book of Pure Evil (TV)
• Shall We Dance
• The Stone Angel
• Wrong Turn 4

So many places offer generous incentives – how do we know Manitoba is the real deal?

• At 15 years old, Manitoba's tax credit is an established entity with a proven track record and no surprises.
• Producers simply receive a cheque payable to the production company for the full amount of their tax rebate because there is no broker required.
• Currently with a tax credit of up to 65% (45 % base, with 5% rural, 5% Manitoba producer and a 10% frequent filmer bonus), Manitoba has one of the highest tax credits in the country. And with lower production costs, Manitoba can go toe to toe with most tax credits in the U.S.
• The money is always available when you submit your application because the Manitoba tax credit is a program without a cap and is not a limited fund.
• Even with our base tax credit of 45%, Manitoba exceeds other jurisdictions that offer 20% of the total provincial spend.
• No forced marriages to get to the dough. The Manitoba tax credit has no ownership – you are not obliged to partner with a Manitoba company to access our tax credit, but producers are rewarded with the additional 5% Manitoba Producer bonus if you choose to. 

What about equipment and studios?

• Purpose-built studio with 15,000 sq. ft. clear span, supported by office space, a carpentry shop, loading docks, wardrobe and a commissary. In addition, there are a variety of warehouses that enable Manitoba to accommodate multiple shows.
• Winnipeg is the prairie headquarters for William F. White.
• Manitoba is the home base for leading visual effects house, Frantic Films. Manitoba has a post-production house with spacious edit suites as well as the ability to set up edit suites on location. The latest Avid online and offline technology is available with HD closed captioning, plus web streaming capabilities, and certified Dolby 5.1 mixing theatre.

What can Manitoba double for?

• World-class cities, including Chicago – for films including: Amreeka (18 shooting days), Make It Happen (28/30 shooting days) and Shall We Dance? (50/55 shooting days); New York – for Capote (33/35 shooting days) and The Hessan Affair (25 shooting days); Detroit – for The Horsemen; San Francisco – for You Kill Me (20/21 shooting days); Vancouver – for Walk All Over Me (24/25 shooting days); and regions as diverse as Conneticut (The Haunting in Conneticut); Missouri (The Assassination of Jesse James); Washington (The Capture of the Green River Killer) and Minnesota (New in Town).
• Period, turn of the century cities, including Kansas City and Boston – see The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.
• Period looks for the 1930's-1940's – for films such as The Hessen Affair and For the Moment.
• Coastline, beaches and cottage country – see Falcon Beach (TV series–26 episodes), My Life as a Dog (TV series–26 episodes), Who Loves the Sun (feature film–12/22 shooting days), The Atwood Stories (anthology– 27 shooting days).
• Arctic terrain – see Rough (mini series–2 weeks unit shooting in Churchill, MB); Whiteout (unit shooting on Lake Manitoba), Snow Walker (feature film–2 weeks unit shooting in Churchill, MB), K-19: The Widowmaker (unit shooting on Lake Winnipeg).
• Mid-west towns – used for The Lookout (Hartney, MB), The Stone Angel (Hartney, Balmoral, Emerson, Otterburne, MB), The Good Life (Argyle, MB), Capote (Selkirk, MB).

 

As a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI), MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC is a full-service film commission that offers a full spectrum of location services.

These include:

• extensive photo library
• script breakdown
• location scouting
• assistance regarding local crews and resources
• liaison with all levels of government and private businesses to facilitate productions
• close working relationship with local Unions, Guilds and Associations, to connect you with qualified crews that have feature film and television experience
• help identifying and introducing key infrastructure contacts for equipment rental house, studio space and HD film transfer services.

MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC has a strong working relationship with the City of Winnipeg to ensure your filming experience in Manitoba is friendly, cost-effective and hassle-free. The Film & Cultural Affairs office of the City of Winnipeg is committed to promoting and facilitating production with “budget-saving benefits” that include:

• A 24 hour office
• The use of civic buildings (city owned buildings) for production offices and locations. No additional fees, on cost recovery basis
• One-stop shop: Liaise with all civic departments including, Police, Fire/Paramedic Service, Transit, Parks, Golf Courses, Cemeteries, Public Works
• Assistance with finding the perfect city locations
• Arranging all necessary permits