As part of the xoTO Schools pilot project Co-op students get unprecedented on-the-job training via Toronto's unions and guilds such as NABET 700-M UNIFOR and IATSE 873. Shown here, students enjoy a tour of The Expanse IV production set hosted by producer Manny Danelon.
Toronto’s screen production industry set a record with more than $2.5 billion in direct spending in 2021. See backgrounder report for details on the growth of this sector in Toronto.
Toronto was voted number one “Best Place to Live and Work as a Movie Maker” in 2024. This yearly survey of film cities, conducted by MovieMaker Magazine, recognizes Toronto’s excellent crews, beautiful locations and vast studio space. Toronto is one of the top five screen-based industries in North America with a full scope of industry connections, services, suppliers, talent, crew, facilities and locations delivering everything required for success in pre-production through post production.
World-Class Talent
Toronto is at the heart of the province’s film and television production sector. This dynamic sector is an outlet for creativity and talent; a place where not only actors, but also other specialists such as designers, carpenters, make-up artists, animators and writers can hone their craft and thrive.
Large multicultural pool of actors among approximately 10,000 Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television & Radio Artists (ACTRA) members
Depth of professional experts including seasoned producers, directors, production designers, and location managers
Award-winning animators, visual/ special effects professionals, game developers
World-class sound engineers, colorists and editors
Thousands of skilled, dedicated professional crew members
xoTO Schools
The City of Toronto in collaboration with the local screen industry, has established xoTO Schools, a pilot program with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to enable enhanced access for location filming in 11 pre-approved TDSB properties. The scouting and permit application processes are streamlined for each of these properties, with the program offering a special daily rate card and 72-hour permit turnaround. More information on the program and the 11 sites currently participating are available through Ontario Creates.
Participating Schools
Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute
Central Toronto Academy
Civic Centre
Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute
Eastern Commerce/First Nations/Subway Academy of Toronto
Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School
Humberside Collegiate Institute
Joseph Brant Public School
Sheldon Centre for Outdoor Education
Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute
Westview Centennial Secondary School
xoTO Schools also creates interactive educational opportunities for students. Co-op placements will be created 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 will 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 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.
Film Commissions, Government & Industry Connections
The City of Toronto provides one-stop concierge service throughout the production and maintains a positive relationship with unions and guilds
Tax Office which co-administers tax credits offered by the province
Funding support to domestic screen-based companies and international co-productions
FilmOntario, an industry-funded, non-partisan, screen-based (film/interactive/television), 30,000 strong consortium of companies, producers, unions, guilds, financial services and organizations within Ontario, and generates over $2.5 billion in direct economic activity annually. FilmOntario’s emphasis is on marketing Ontario as a screen-based content creator and production jurisdiction, and working with all levels of government so that policies and programs ensure our international competitiveness.
Green Screen Toronto is a support and learning organization ready to assist productions to reduce their environmental footprint
Studios, Locations & Suppliers
Studios
Approximately 2 million square feet of space to accommodate a full range of large and small productions
Studio expansion will bring over 450,000 sq ft new studio space
Toronto doubles for New York, Boston, Washington, Chicago and other US locales as well as international cities such as Paris, London, Morocco, Saigon and Tehran
5-star hotels, restaurants and clubs, galleries, museums, theatres and events
Suppliers
World-renowned full-service post-production facilities and labs
Cutting-edge special and visual effects companies
Award-winning animation companies
Innovative equipment houses to support every need
Expert professional service companies to assist with legal, financial and administrative work
Sustainbility
Power drops are fixed electrical stations that allow film productions to plug into grid electrical power. They eliminate the need for the diesel generators customarily used by productions, creating a potential reduction of 400 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year or the equivalent annual energy use of 45 homes.
Exterior of power drop box
Interior of power drop box
Two power drop kiosks are located at film industry hotspots:
Ashbridges Bay Parking Lot
1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E., Ashbridges Bay/Woodbine Beach
Sir Casimir Gzowski Parking Lot
1751 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Sir Casimir Gzowski Park
Delivered as part of the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Climate Action Strategy to reduce carbon emissions in Toronto to net zero by 2040, this project was made possible through the work of multiple City divisions and agencies. Using extensive location permitting data, top locations used by film productions were identified – some of which are parks. The City also partnered with Toronto Hydro to assess which locations had sufficient available grid-power and which would be most viable financially and logistically. In partnership with the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, GHG emissions reduction calculations were provided to quantify the project’s impact.
These power drops demonstrate the City’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy and are a key feature in anchoring Toronto as a green, film-friendly location, playing an active role in attracting more productions to the city.
Please contact the Toronto Film, Television & Digital Media Office for further information, filmtoronto@toronto.ca.
Technological Innovation
Toronto has a long history of being at the forefront of technological development and innovation from the invention of IMAX, development of Maya and Houdini software and various rigs.
Toronto’s developments in stereoscopic 3D are built on partnerships between the industry and our post-secondary institutions.
A number of these institutions support incubators and are assisting in the emergence of exciting new companies that will deepen Toronto’s capacity to produce cross-platform products and staff the expanding digital base.
Film & Television Tax Credits
Toronto is the world’s most tax competitive major city for business (KPMG Focus on Tax, 2016). Many of the incentives and tax credit programs offered are for film, television and digital media.
Tax incentives include stackable, as well as domestic and treaty co-production tax credits.
Various tax credits can be combined offering savings of up to 45% on qualified labour costs and up to 35.2% on total production costs.
The City of Toronto is advocating to maintain up to 33% long term tax incentive security with the Ontario Premier and with other levels of government.
There is no individual cap on the eligible credit per production or on the number of productions that can access the credits.
Credits are permanent and fully refundable.
Visit Ontario Creates to find out about and apply for the tax credits they administer: