Business in Calgary

Spotlight shines on Calgary
with the announcement of $5 million
grant funding for the Calgary Film Studio
As Canada’s fourth-largest film
jurisdiction, Calgary boasts
award-winning crews and
locations. The Calgary region benefits
from an average of $100 million in
film, television and digital production
each year and is responsible for 80
per cent of all filming in Alberta. In
addition, the Calgary region has garnered
more Oscar, Golden Globe and
Emmy® Award nominations than any
other jurisdiction in Canada.
In response to this ever-growing
industry, four years ago, Calgary Economic
Development established the
Alberta Creative Hub Corporation – a unique non-profit
and non-partisan organization established for the specific
purpose of growing the local film, television and creative
industries through the development of state-of-the-art, purpose-built
facilities.
On February 4, 2014, after an in-depth submission and
evaluation process, the Alberta Government, through the
Ministry of Culture, announced that Calgary Economic
Development was the successful proponent of a one-time,
$5-million grant towards building the Calgary Film Studio.
“We are very pleased to have been selected as the proponent
for the Calgary Film Studio,” says Bruce Graham,
president and CEO, Calgary Economic Development. “By
working with industry and post-secondary partners to
develop purpose-built facilities, we envision the studio will
allow the creative industries sector to realize significant
growth potential, increase the retention of local talent and
support the diversification of our economy.”
Here are some of the details of the plan:
• The total projected cost is approximately $22.8 million.
• The studio will feature two purpose-built sound stages
(20,000 sq. ft. and 30,000 sq. ft.) with the ability to subdivide
the larger studio.
• The studio will also include 18,000 sq. ft. of warehouse
space with an additional 10–15,000 sq. ft. for workshop/
production, props, sets, wardrobes, etc.
• It will be governed by a board of directors.
• William F. White International will be the anchor tenant.
The creative industries sector has
reached a critical tipping point…
The creative industries employ 60,000 Albertans who
work in industries that generate billions of dollars into the
provincial economy on an annual basis. Of that 60,000,
approximately 3,000 of them work in film and television
production. With some adjustments and enhancements to
incentives, there is the opportunity to grow this sector to a
half-billion dollars in the next five to seven years. The creative
industries sector has reached a critical tipping point,
with terrific growth opportunities driving the need for purpose-built,
permanent facilities.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to diversify our provincial
economy with a one-time capital investment in an industry
that we have already proven to be very successful in,” says
Luke Azevedo, commissioner of film, television and creative
industries. “The Calgary Film Studio will help ensure our
industries remain viable and provide jobs for Albertans.”
Moving forward, Calgary Economic Development and the
Alberta Creative Hub Corporation are entering the planning
phase, and will be working swiftly to determine next steps, with
plans to secure land and break ground in the spring of 2014.
Alberta has vistas, award-winning crews and now the
infrastructure to support both international and indigenous
creative projects.
businessincalgary.com | BUSINESS IN CALGARY March 2014 • 107