Seasoned producers, directors, production designers, and location managers together with award-winning animators, visual/special effects professionals, game developers and a large multicultural pool of actors, are supported by many unions, guilds, associations and government supports.

These professionals are what has made Toronto a global centre of excellence for screen-based arts.

The AFC

During the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the City of Toronto XOTO House TIFF activation raised funds for The AFC, a registered charity offering emergency financial aid along with supports for financial and mental wellness, peer support and career sustainability for the entertainment industry.

Employment and Social Development Canada

Eligible film and television production workers can apply for Employment Insurance.

The Directors Guild of Canada

The Directors Guild of Canada, a provincial labour organization representing key creative and operational specialists developed a list of resources for temporary employment for those workers.

The TFTDMO 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 TFTDMO is a member of the AFCI (Association of Film Commissioners International).

Since its inception, the TFTDMO 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 TFTDMO 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 TFTDMO 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 us and let us know how we can assist you.

ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing over 15,000 of Canada’s acting, stunt and background professionals.

Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) is a national labour organization that represents over 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.

Canadian Production Association of Toronto (CPAT) 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.