The Saskatchewan Film Industry: A Rollercoaster Ride from 1990-2025
The Saskatchewan film industry has been through an incredible journey over the last few decades, going from very little volume in the province in 1990 to becoming a significant part of a growing industry. With a rollercoaster of struggle and success, the province has proven itself to be a valuable locale for film & television production.
Offering stunning backdrops ranging from vast prairies and rolling hills to picturesque lakes and charming small towns, Saskatchewan is a province with a lot of variety for film. Cities like Saskatoon and Regina provide modern urban settings, while the rural areas offer authentic prairie aesthetics perfect for westerns, dramas, road trip stories, adventures, horrors, wild life documentaries, and so much more. With fewer crowds than larger filming centers, securing permits and managing logistics can be simpler and more efficient. The Saskatchewan Film & Television industry is primed to be a significant part of a thriving industry in 2025 and beyond.
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1990s: The Early Years of Saskatchewan Film & Television
In 1990 the film industry was hardly worth mentioning, besides the work of a few select industry players. The IMDB release database shows one film, “The Garden“, filmed in Saskatchewan and released that year.
By the mid 1990s, the Government of Saskatchewan and the City of Regina went into partnership and redesigned a building that had served as a military training facility. The building was gutted and rebuilt to become the Canada Saskatchewan Production Studios. The plan was to begin to bolster the film & television industry in the province by making space for large scale productions to work.
1998: The Tax Credit
In 1998 the Saskatchewan government introduced the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit (SFETC) to support the local film and television industry. This tax credit offered a refundable credit of eligible labour costs in Saskatchewan.
Example Production
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Total Budget: $1,000,000
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Eligible Saskatchewan Labour Costs: $400,000 (40% of the budget)
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Tax Credit Rate: 35%
The production would receive a $140,000 payment (refundable tax credit) from the Saskatchewan government. This was a direct reduction in costs. The fact that it was refundable made this tax credit incredibly enticing for film productions. It meant even if they didn’t owe taxes, productions could still get money back.
2000-2003: The Groundwork
In the early 2000s, Saskatchewan’s film industry was just beginning to find its footing with the film tax credit leading its growth. Independent filmmakers were starting to experiment with short films, documentaries, and low-budget features. “The Unsaid” (2001), a psychological thriller starring Andy Garcia, was a noteworthy production from 2001. Despite modest production budgets in most cases, these initial steps laid the foundation for the more lucrative years to come.
The Canada Saskatchewan Production Studios finally opened in Regina in 2002 after extensive renovations. It has 4 sound stages which have the capacity to film feature-length movies, television sitcoms, or any other needs of the media industry. The building is approximately 82,000 square feet (7,600 m2). Carpentry, makeup, wardrobe, & other production facilities are also located on site.
2004: Increasing the Film Tax Credit
2004 marked a major shift for Saskatchewan’s film industry with some important changes to the SFETC. The government increased the tax credit to 45% and added additional incentives for filming in remote areas, and hiring Saskatchewan residents in key creative positions.
The province’s profile was growing with new productions like Corner Gas (2004) taking off. The improvements to the tax credit made Saskatchewan an even more appealing location for filmmakers, increasing local and international production in the region.
2005-2006: Expanding Horizons
The years 2005 and 2006 were pivotal for the Saskatchewan film industry as local filmmakers and international productions started to take advantage of the newly changed tax credit. This period saw a steady increase in film production activity, with the province becoming more recognized for its diverse landscapes and film-friendly environment. Notable productions from this time include Tideland (2005), Hollywood Files (2005), and the TV Series Beyond (2005-2007).
The success of productions like these helped solidify Saskatchewan’s position as a growing player in Canada’s film industry, paving the way for larger investments and more ambitious projects in the years to come.
2007-2011: The Boom Years
During this period, the Saskatchewan film industry really began to flourish thanks to the tax credit and a series of successful, high-profile productions. Industry earnings soared as the province attracted both television and film productions. Some notable productions include; The Messengers (2007), Rabbit Fall (2007), Little Mosque on the Prairie (2007-2012), and A Dog Named Christmas (2009)
These years also saw increased infrastructure, with larger crews and state-of-the-art facilities supporting the growing industry. As a result, the province’s film earnings reached between $40 million and $50 million annually.
By 2011 the Saskatchewan government began expressing concerns about the cost of the SFETC, claiming it was too expensive.
2012: The Crash
In 2012, the Saskatchewan government under Brad Wall’s leadership eliminated the SFETC, triggering a major downturn for the local film industry. This policy change had an immediate impact, causing a sharp decline in production. Many filmmakers, cast, and crew where forced to leave the province in order to earn a living.
The cancellation of the tax credit led to a dramatic drop in industry earnings to around $10 million. As a result, many smaller studios and independent filmmakers scaled down operations, and major international productions turned away from Saskatchewan.
Over its duration, the program cost the province approximately $100 million but generated about $623 million in production volumes, indicating a significant return on investment. That means on average over the 14 years the program ran it was spending 7.1 million per year on tax refunds, and earned 87.7 million in production volume for the province.
The position expressed by both Premier Brad Wall and Finance Minister Hutchinson was that a refundable tax credit constitutes a “grant” and is not “truly a tax credit”.(14) Which of course is not true, refundable tax credits have become industry standard for incentivizing productions to film in your province or state and are used across Canada and the USA.
John Lewis, international Vice President and director of Canadian affairs for IATSE wrote in a letter to Premier Wall, “There are few industries that are as mobile as the film industry. It is an industry capable of packing up and setting up elsewhere in a matter of days… As productions leave the province, Saskatchewan will lose thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue.” 14
2013: Saskatchewan Film Regroups
Following the collapse of the SFETC, the government closed SaskFilm, the key funding agency for the industry, and redirected funding towards Creative Saskatchewan. Operating the Feature Film and Television Production Grant program with an annual budget of $2 million. Although the province still offered some funding, it was no longer on the same scale.
This year the government also initiates the idea of another tax incentive to replace the SFETC, to try and recover some of this lost industry, called the Film/TV and Digital Tax Credit (FTDC).
| Feature | SFETC (1998-2012) | FTDC |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Credit | Refundable (pays you cash if it’s more than your taxes) | Non-refundable (lowers your taxes but won’t pay extra money) |
| Base Credit % | 45% on labor | 25% on all costs |
| Bonuses | Rural and large budget bonuses | Saskatchewan labor, rural, Indigenous bonuses |
| Scope | Film and TV only | Film, TV, and digital media |
| Financial Risk | Lower for producers | Higher for producers without tax liability |
“Over 70 per cent of a Saskatchewan production’s financing comes from outside the province. Non-refundable tax credits do not trigger this inward investment: they cannot be used by the producer as proof that a production will be fully financed through expected revenues.
A non-refundable tax credit is not attuned to the industry’s business and funding realities.” Said Norm Bolen, the President and CEO of the CMPA at the time. (12)
After heavy criticism this program was never fully implemented.
This attempted financial restructuring, combined with the loss of the stronger tax incentives, meant that industry earnings collapsed.
Despite these challenges, independent filmmakers found ways to continue working. A couple of highlights during this period were Singularity Principal (2013) and Eerie (2013). Though production was smaller scale than before, it helped keep the spirit of Saskatchewan filmmaking alive.
2014-2016: The Independent Era
While larger productions mostly dried up, the independent scene began to thrive in the absence of the SFETC. Saskatchewan saw the rise of micro-budget films, experimental works, and documentaries. With earnings hovering between $3 million and $6 million, local filmmakers and crew members used the opportunity to hone their skills and experiment with new formats.
A standout documentary from this time is “The Messenger” (2015)
2017-2018: A Cultural Resurgence
The film industry in Saskatchewan experienced a resurgence beginning in 2017, driven by new productions, the Regina International Film Festival & Awards, and other new initiatives like the Saskatchewan Film Week. Although still recovering, earnings began to rise again to the $5 million-$10 million range.
The film The Grizzlies (2018) played a key role in drawing attention to Saskatchewan’s film industry during this period. Focusing on Indigenous youth in the north, this film became an international hit and was filmed in multiple Saskatchewan locations.
2019: Climbing Back Up
The year 2019 was marked by a dramatic increase in film and television productions, with earnings reaching $30 million. Over 35 productions are recorded on the IMDB release database this year, almost reaching the the 41 productions released in 2012 right before the tax credit cut. With the industry seemingly recovered Saskatchewan was poised for continued expansion over the next few years.
A notable production from this year is “Making it in Saskatchewan“, a film that highlights the work of Canadian artists in the province.
2020: The Pandemic
Like much of the world, Saskatchewan’s film industry was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with productions halted across the province. However, many film festivals, such as the Saskatchewan International Film Festival, moved to digital platforms, keeping the creative community alive even when in-person events were not possible. The industry’s financial output declined significantly, though smaller productions, including documentaries and short films, still managed to work.
2021: Recovery
By 2021, the Saskatchewan film industry began to recover again, with an increase in Indigenous-led productions. Indian Horse (2021), a film based on the novel by Richard Wagamese, was one of the standout projects from this period. The movie was filmed in various Saskatchewan locations and received praise for its storytelling and cinematography. This resurgence signalled that the industry was finding its footing again and moving toward greater diversity in its content.
2022: Expanding Opportunities
The years following 2021 saw continued growth, with a rising number of international productions seeking Saskatchewan as a filming location. and CreativeSask receiving increased funding. The province reached $20 million in earnings, and notable projects such as ‘You Can Call Me Roger‘ (2022) and ‘Terms and Conditions‘ (2022) being released.
This year helped showcase Saskatchewan’s beauty to a global audience. The increasing number of smaller-scale productions helped fuel the economic growth and position the province as a key player in Canada’s creative economy.
2023: Growth and Investment
In 2023, Saskatchewan’s film industry experienced a remarkable resurgence, with $12 million in funding allocated to support 21 diverse productions, contributing to a substantial $50 million economic impact. This year marked a pivotal point in the province’s recovery from the pandemic, with projects like ‘Alone (Season 10)‘ highlighting the creative potential of Saskatchewan as a filming location.
2024: New Opportunities
The Saskatchewan film industry continued to thrive in 2024, thanks to increased investment and the expanding role of local production companies. The province saw several co-productions with larger international studios, increasing its economic output significantly.
Notably, the film “Die Alone,” a zombie thriller, was filmed in Regina and the Qu’Appelle Valley. It stars Carrie-Anne Moss and Frank Grillo and premiered at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain, winning the Midnight X-treme Audience Choice Award.
The LED volume wall, a significant advancement for Regina’s film industry, was introduced at the John Hopkins Regina Soundstage in March 2024. This 28-foot by 85-foot installation, noted as North America’s second-largest LED wall, was utilized in productions such as #VanLife and Hostile Takeover.
This year demonstrated that Saskatchewan was not only a desirable location for filming but also a centre for developing new talent. With a growing network of industry professionals, the province became an increasingly important player in the Canadian and global film scene.
2025: Peak Potential
With all the excitement and growth of Regina’s new volume wall the province still could not draw enough large scale productions to support such an apparatus. Nearly 8 months after launching, Karma Film‘s and Volume Global announced the Volume Wall will be leaving the province. As unfortunate as this is for the local industry, at minimum it opens the space up in Regina’s sound stages for other productions to occupy, limiting the amount of losses.
Creative Saskatchewan, which funds arts projects across the province, had its allocation reduced in the 2025-26 provincial budget estimates to $16.1 million from $18.1 million last year. SMPIA said that reduction is to Creative Saskatchewan’s feature film and television production grant, bringing it down to $10 million.
In spite of it’s many challenges, the Saskatchewan film industry is thriving in 2025 compared to previous years. Over the last 3 years we’ve seen the CreativeSask’s film and production fund increased to 5 times it’s previous investment. Even with this years $2 million reduction, SMPIA said this summer will be one of the busiest production seasons for the industry in years.
The organization also mentioned that while films and television shows are not subject to U.S. tariffs, components of film sets are, making phones ring in Saskatchewan as U.S. and international producers find more and more value to filming in the province.
Final Thoughts
Despite the hurdles of the past, the Saskatchewan film industry stands strong in 2025, proving its resilience and adaptability. While the loss of the LED volume wall and recent funding reductions pose challenges, they haven’t dampened the industry’s spirit. With a bustling production season on the horizon and continued support from organizations like Creative Saskatchewan and SMPIA, the province is set to remain a key player in Canada’s creative landscape.
Although we don’t locally offer a refundable tax incentive, the federal government does, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC) at a rate of 25% of qualified labour offering additional incentive to film in Canada. With any luck our government will one day open discussions on a new refundable provincial tax credit which could carry us into an incredible future for this industry.
Filmmakers are embracing Saskatchewan’s diverse landscapes, from sweeping prairies to charming towns, and finding new ways to tell stories that resonate with audiences both locally and globally. Independent productions are thriving, and the province’s reputation as a collaborative and supportive filming destination continues to grow.
As local talent gains recognition and new opportunities emerge, there’s no doubt that Saskatchewan’s film industry has an incredible future ahead. The challenges faced have only fueled the industry’s determination, making it well-equipped to navigate whatever comes next. From heartfelt indie projects to large-scale co-productions, the province’s cinematic future looks as vibrant and dynamic as its past.
Here’s to the stories yet to be told, the creators yet to be discovered, and the many scenes still waiting to be filmed on Saskatchewan soil.
Written by:
Classes at Blackbox Academy
Sources
- ACTRA – Whats shooting
- Filmed in Sask
- Sask Today
- Saskatchewan Government
- CBC
- Regina International Film Festival & Awards
- Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit Information – Creative Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Film Independent Filmmaking – SaskFilm
- Saskatchewan Film History – SaskFilm
- Saskatchewan Film Tax Credit Controversy – SaskFilm
- Playback Online
- Mondaq
- Youtube
- Hollywood reporter
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