Resources & Support for Toronto’s Film Industry
Toronto’s film, television, and digital media industries are supported by a variety of resources designed to help you succeed in your projects and professional development, while contributing to the overall growth of the industry.
This page offers convenient access to essential tools, funding opportunities, partnerships, and industry information to help you thrive in Toronto’s vibrant screen sector.
The City of Toronto’s Film Office was established in 1979 to provide economic development and support to the local production community, and to promote Toronto as a major production centre. The office has actively supported the development of initiatives that have become standards for the industry, including progressive location management practices and a computerized location filming permit system with on-line application capabilities. The Film Office is a member of the AFCI (Association of Film Commissioners International).
Since its inception, the Film Office has assisted thousands of productions including: feature films, movies for television, mini-series, television specials, television series, television productions, commercials, non-broadcasts, documentaries, music videos, interactive video and student productions.
The Film Office operates through a cost-recovery policy and is not a profit centre. The policy recognizes the City’s fiscal realities while continuing to provide support for Toronto’s film sector. Departments, agencies, boards and commissions are compensated for direct costs incurred and/or established revenues lost as a result of filming. Production companies are required to pay for the use of metered spots for parking production vehicles; the production company pays the same rate per hour as would a member of the public. When filming on City property, a film company is responsible for paying out-of-pocket expenses involved with the filming event (staff overtime, security, etc.).
The Film Office has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Every production that comes to the city is assigned a Film Officer dedicated to their project. Call or write to the office for assistance.
Toronto Film, Television & Digital Media Board
The Toronto Film, Television & Digital Media Board (Film Board) provides advice to City Council and City staff on ways to strengthen and grow the film, television and digital media industries to ensure the competitiveness and viability of the sector.
The film, television and digital media production industry is a significant component of City of Toronto’s economic, social and cultural fabric. The City of Toronto recognizes the need to strengthen and grow the industry to ensure the competitiveness and the viability of the sector.
The term of office coincides with the term of Council. The Board meets quarterly.
The Toronto Film Board is made up of appointed members of the public and three members of City Council.
ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing more than 15,000 of Canada’s acting, stunt and background professionals.
Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) is a national labour organization representing more than 3,800 key creative and logistical personnel in the film and television industry covering all areas of direction, design, production and editing.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (I.A.T.S.E.) represents workers in a number of crafts, with the majority employed in motion picture and television production. IATSE members are integral to the production, distribution and exhibition of motion pictures and television. Three I.A.T.S.E. Locals operate in Toronto:
- I.A.T.S.E. Local 411 represents production coordinators, assistant coordinators, production secretaries, craft service providers, and honey wagon operators.
- I.A.T.S.E. Local 667 International Cinematographers Guild represents the camera crews and unit publicists who work on all forms of motion picture production, as well as personnel in several television stations.
- I.A.T.S.E. 873 represents motion picture technicians.
NABET 700-M UNIFOR represents nearly 3,000 qualified technicians in 15 departments of the film, television and digital media industry in Ontario. Productions are crewed on non-seniority basis allowing Producers to hire the appropriate Technicians for their project. The Union has a robust apprenticeship program as well as a number of partnerships with organizations across the Province geared towards workforce development and increasing diversity in the departments we represent.
Toronto Musicians' Association, Local 149 of the American Federation of Musicians represents over 3,500 Toronto-area professional musicians in all facets of music.
Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) represents more than 2,000 professional English-language screenwriters in Canada.
Becoming a member of an industry organization as an individual or a company can help broaden your understanding of the intricacies of the film industry, provide networking and learning opportunities, and help you stay attuned to industry developments.
Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television: The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television is a non-profit organization with a mandate to honour outstanding achievements as well as provide critically needed, high-quality professional development programs, conferences and publications. Professional development programs include the Directors Program for Women and the Ways and Means Panel Series.
Canadian Alliance of Film and Television Costume Arts and Design: Canadian Alliance of Film and Television Costume Arts and Design (CAFTCAD) brings together costume professionals from all corners of the industry, regardless of union affiliation, experience, background, ethnicity, and identity. Through shared interest, CAFTCAD provides its members with an online and physical forum, promoting open discussion, shared learning, resources and professional networking.
Canadian Cinema Editors: The Canadian Cinema Editors (CCE) is a professional, educational and cultural membership-based association. It offers events and mentorship opportunities, and its mission is to support the pursuit of artistic and technological pre-eminence, and excellence in post-production and to promote the education of peers, producers and students in the art and science of editing.
Computer Animation Studios of Ontario: Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO) is the only industry association that solely represents the priorities and interests of Ontario studio owners and operators in Visual Effects (VFX) and/or animation, through advocacy, professional development, and marketing initiatives specific to the needs of the VFX and animation studios in Ontario.
FilmOntario: FilmOntario is an industry consortium representing the over 35,000 individuals working in the screen-based industry in Ontario. Its member organizations are from all parts of the film, television and digital media industries, including unions and guilds, production companies, studios, suppliers, and financial and legal services organizations.
Visual Effects Society – Toronto Section: The Visual Effects Society (VES) is membership-based and represents the full breadth of visual effects practitioners including artists, animators, technologists, model makers, educators, studio leaders, supervisors, PR/marketing specialists and producers in all areas of film, television, commercials, music videos and games.
Women in Film and Television-Toronto: Women in Film and Television-Toronto (WIFT Toronto) is a member-based, not-for-profit organization of passionate individuals dedicated to the development, advancement and celebration of women in the screen media industry. WIFT Toronto offers mentorships, internships, networking opportunities, bursaries and industry programming.
Association of Canadian Commercial Production (ACCP) is the not-for-profit trade association for the television commercial production industry in Toronto.
Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) is Canada’s leading trade association for independent producers representing almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films and digital media.
Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO) is a new association dedicated to promoting and growing the Ontario Animation and Visual Effects industry.
Ontario Creates
Ontario Creates is a provincial agency that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.
Ontario Ministry of Labour
The Ministry of Labour through the Ontario Film and Television Safety committee have developed specific safety guidelines for people working in this industry.