Careers & Training for Toronto’s Film Industry
Toronto’s film industry thrives on diversity, world-class talent and a strong commitment to inclusion, making it a global hub for authentic storytelling that employs tens of thousands of creatives.
This guide highlights the wide range of careers, training and development opportunities available in Toronto’s vibrant screen sector.
Navigate the many career paths available across creative, technical, and production roles within Toronto’s thriving film sector:
The City of Toronto in collaboration with the local screen industry, has established xoTO Schools, which creates interactive educational opportunities for students. Co-op placements happen through the academic year in categories such as makeup, hair, sound, special effects, props, set decoration, costume design, continuity, lighting, grip, construction, paint and transportation. The students work with industry professionals, providing them with unprecedented on-the-job training that will best position those who want to further their education and employment opportunities in the industry. Toronto’s unions and guilds will also work with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to provide students access to industry workshops, seminars, events and guest speakers that support existing TDSB film arts curriculum, and to educate students on the variety of jobs available in the film industry.
To apply for a xoTO Schools TDSB co-op placement, the student must be attending a TDSB school, be 16 years or older, and have a minimum of 16 credits. Students must obtain a co-op placement application from their school’s co-op or student services department.
The programs listed are directly related to training and education specific to Production, Post-Production, Visual Effects (VFX) and Animation. Skills-specific courses such as Accounting, Make-up and Hair, Construction and Carpentry are also avenues to gain experience and entry into skills-specific positions in the screen industry.
Canadian Film Centre: The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is home to a range of intensive, hands-on programs in film, television, screen acting, music, and digital/immersive media that empower, shape and advance opportunities for Canadian creators and entrepreneurs working in screen-based industries. Programs include CBC Actor’s Academy, Slaight Family Music Lab and CFC Feature.
Centennial College: The School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design at Centennial College offers a way to turn creativity into a career, with an array of industry-recognized programs such as digital visual effects, film and television – business and recording arts.
George Brown College: George Brown College allows students to learn and work alongside industry professionals including actors, directors, designers, and technicians with a focus on industry-ready training. Programs offered include Media Foundations, Video Design and Production.
Humber College: Humber College offers hands-on experience through Live Labs, regular performances, and ongoing work-integrated learning, as well as the industry-specific business skills. Programs include 3D Modelling and Visual Effects, Film and Multi-platform Storytelling, and Post-Production.
OCAD University: OCAD is Canada’s largest and oldest institution for art and design. Programs offered by OCAD include Experiential Animation, Integrated Media and Indigenous Visual Culture.
Seneca College: An emphasis on experiential learning and a curriculum that integrates new and traditional media, prepares students for a fulfilling career in the dynamic creative economy. Programs include 3D animation, Visual Effects and Documentary Production.
Sheridan College: Internationally recognized for outstanding programs, training performers, animators, filmmakers, designers and to realize the full potential of their talents. Programs include Interactive Design, Craft and Textile Design and Digital Creature Animation.
Sheridan Screen Industries Research and Training Centre: Sheridan Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) is a premier destination for training, collaboration and creation for the screen-based industry in Ontario and around the world. Courses include video editing, post-production and after effects.
Toronto Film School: The Toronto Film School is ranked as a top film school by the QS World University Rankings and offers a fast-paced, hands-on and highly collaborative learning environment. Programs include Writing for film, Film Production and Acting for Film and TV.
Toronto Metropolitan University : With partnerships around the world, Toronto Metropolitan University’s unique faculty offers opportunities to educate the next generation of creative leaders. Programs include Business of Film, Film Technology and Microcinema.
University of Toronto Continuing Studies: University of Toronto Continuing Studies offers a wide range of continuing studies courses, including Screenwriting, Comedy Writing and Visual Design.
York University: York University has more than 50 years of nurturing creative, bold and meaningful work by new generations of filmmakers and scholars. Programs include Film Production, Screenwriting and Media Arts.
Discover various training programs and development opportunities designed to help you build and advance your skills in the screen industry. Unions and Guilds also provide training to members.
BIPOC TV and Film: BIPOC TV and Film is a grassroots organization and collective of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) in Canada’s TV and film industry. BIPOC TV & Film hosts a series of panels, Q&A sessions, workshops, networking events and provides opportunities to secure employment in the television and film industry, specifically targeted to BIPOC.
Being Black in Canada: Being Black in Canada represents Canada’s largest mentorship, training, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers across Canadian cities.
Black Women Film!: Black Women Film! Canada is both a leadership program and a new collective dedicated to forwarding the careers, networks and skills of filmmakers and media artists who are Black female identified of the Canadian African diaspora. The organization also operated the Black Women Film Directory for black women in film to list themselves for employers to browse.
Creators of Colour Incubator: The Creators of Colour Incubator (CCI), is a year-round development and production hub for Canadian women of colour producers that aims to create strong, compelling and sustainable media content for the global market.
CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals: CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals is a Toronto based charity that is dedicated to addressing the economic and social barriers that affect black youth with a focus on workforce development, education and advocacy, with training programs in several sectors including the entertainment industry.
HXOUSE: HXOUSE is a Toronto-based, globally focused think-center. Serving its community as an incubator and accelerator, it helps to foster innovation and opportunity for creative entrepreneurs. HXOUSE runs programs and workshops for individuals in creative industries and internal programs for those that have been accepted into the Tenancy Program.
imagineNATIVE INSTITUTE: The imagineNATIVE Institute houses year-round professional development programs within imagineNATIVE, events and talks for Indigenous screen and digital content creators.
Liaison of Independent Filmmakers Toronto: The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is an artist-run, membership-based charitable organization dedicated to facilitating excellence in the moving image through media arts education and production resources. Training includes introductory level workshops, camera, sound, writing and producing.
NIA Centre for the Arts: Nia Centre is building Canada’s first professional multi-disciplinary Black Arts Centre. It offers professional development, youth mentorship, exhibitions and special events including programs in film and television professional development.
OYA Media Group Emerging Filmmakers: OYA Media Group is a production company bringing Black Canadian perspective to media platforms. It runs the OYA Emerging Filmmakers training program for emerging black youth in the film, television and digital media.
POV: POV provides industry led training, skills development, scholarships, mentorship and employment to young creatives who want to develop their skills, build their networks and launch their careers into the TV and film production sector.
Reelworld Screen Institute: Reelworld Film Festival and Screen Institute are dedicated to changing the face of the media landscape by empowering and showcasing Canadians of diverse backgrounds in screen-based industries. The Institute runs several training programs for participants of all ages and experience levels, as well as operates Access Reelworld, a database of Canadian Black, Indigenous, Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American in the Creative Industries.
The Remix Project: The Remix Project was created in order to help level the playing field for young people from marginalized and under served communities. The programs and services serve youth who are trying to enter into the creative industries including film and television or further their formal education.
Reel Asian: Reel Asian is a not-for-profit charitable cultural organization that advocates for Asian representation through media arts. The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival® is a unique showcase of contemporary Asian cinema and work from the Asian diaspora, with industry initiatives to educate and connect youth to the film industry.
Regent Park Film Festival: The Regent Park Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing local and international independent works relevant to people from all walks of life, with a focus on inviting those of us from low income and public housing communities. Year-round programming also focusses on education and training.
Hot Docs Industry Training: Hot Docs invests in the next generation of documentary storytellers through innovative training programs and resources that offer access, mentorship and inspiration to help emerging filmmakers take their careers to the next level.
TIFF Industry Talent Development: TIFF runs tailored professional development programs to help talented filmmakers fast-track their careers and projects. The range of programs on offer includes bespoke opportunities for writers, directors and actors.
The Black Academy: The organization is dedicated to breaking down barriers of discrimination and combating systemic racism in Canada. By honouring, celebrating, and showcasing established and emerging Black talent, The Black Academy will elevate and inspire Black talent in both the Anglophone and Francophone communities across the country for generations to come.
Indigenous Screen Office: The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) is an independent national advocacy and funding organization serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis creators of screen content in Canada. The ISO’s mandate is to foster and support narrative sovereignty and cultural revitalization by increasing Indigenous storytelling on screens and promoting Indigenous values and participation across the sector.
Black Screen Office: The Black Screen Office (BSO) supports Black Canadians working throughout the screen industries to build their careers, strengthen their networks, and share their stories.
Reel Canada: Reel Canada is a charitable organization that celebrates Canada through film, bringing film screenings, special guests and lessons to schools across the country to foster an understanding and appreciation of the screen industry.
Reel Start: Established in both Toronto and Los Angeles, Reel Start is building a path from the classroom to the film industry- giving students in grades 10, 11 and 12 the chance to turn their stories into films, and their passion for filmmaking into a lifelong pursuit.