{"id":39315,"date":"2024-09-24T16:23:14","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T20:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torontoglobal.ca\/?p=39315"},"modified":"2024-09-24T16:26:01","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T20:26:01","slug":"what-makes-toronto-hollywood-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontoglobal.ca\/our-industries\/what-makes-toronto-hollywood-north\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes Toronto \u201cHollywood North\u201d?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TIFF has drawn to a close, celebrities have flown home, and the Princess of Wales Theatre is back to its regularly scheduled programming. Each September all eyes are on Toronto, but even a short time after the red carpets are rolled up, film connoisseurs are already calling this year the festival\u2019s most influential<\/a> run since before the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to say that everything went off without a hitch, but TIFF\u2019s success this year and years prior marks the Toronto Region as a film hub on the global stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Toronto returns from the glitz and glamour of TIFF, the region\u2019s reputation as Hollywood North is not just movie magic, but the result of a strong film sector<\/a> and world-class creative talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview of Toronto\u2019s Film Sector<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Toronto Region is home to one of North America’s top three largest screen-based industries, along with other huge economies, Los Angeles and New York City. The scale of this industry is unmatched in Canada, employing more than 30,000 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toronto was named the first Canadian city to become a UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts<\/a>, an acknowledgment of its leadership in film, music, digital media, and other cultural expressions that harness technology. This title solidifies Toronto\u2019s status as a global leader in the creative industries, which continues to attract filmmakers worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, film and TV contributed a record $3.15 Billion to Ontario\u2019s economy creating nearly 46 thousand direct and spin-off jobs across the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most recently, Toronto was ranked first in Moviemaker\u2019s Best Places to Live and Work<\/a> as a Moviemaker, ahead of all other Canadian cities. This ranking reflects the city’s advanced infrastructure, rich talent pool, and robust support systems for filmmakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toronto’s geographical versatility and diverse architecture allow it to double for numerous cities around the world, making it a preferred location for international productions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toronto\u2019s ability to cater to all facets of production\u2014from big-budget blockbusters to indie films\u2014 has made it an attractive destination for filmmakers seeking a variety of shooting environments, cutting-edge technology, and financial incentives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ontario Creates<\/a> offers some of the most generous tax incentives in the world for media industries. For example, the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit<\/a> offers local and foreign-owned production companies a credit of 21.5% of all qualifying production costs in Ontario, including labour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether for feature films, television shows, or digital content, Toronto\u2019s creative ecosystem offers unmatched resources, propelling it to the forefront of the global film industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

World-Class Film Stages in and Around Toronto<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

One of the core strengths of Toronto\u2019s film sector is its world-class film stages and production facilities, which are on par with those found in Los Angeles or New York. These facilities provide filmmakers with the space and technology needed to bring their stories to life, attracting major studios like Amazon MGM<\/a> and DNEG<\/a> to set up shop here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Toronto Film Commissioner Marguerite Pigott, British Consul General Fouzia Younis, and Toronto Global CEO Stephen Lund at the Pinewood Studios and Amazon MGM announcement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pinewood Toronto Studios<\/h2>\n\n\n\n