Busy Filming Season in Greater Sudbury this Summer

Greater Sudbury residents will notice more activity related to film productions across the city this summer as multiple productions get underway.  This flurry of activity is resulting in positive economic impacts for the community and helping to expand on the city’s reputation as the filming hub of northern Ontario, with indications of more business coming in future.

“Our thriving arts and culture sector is an important part of our local economy and the quality of life we enjoy in Greater Sudbury" said Mayor Brian Bigger. "The film and television sector in particular provides significant local economic benefits and as a community we should all be proud to be hosting one of the single largest productions ever seen in northern Ontario right here in Greater Sudbury. Not only will our community serve as a backdrop to a television series that will appear on a popular online streaming service, but this production alone will result in $15 million spent to the city over the coming months.”

Over the past several years, productions filming in the area have resulted in significant job creation for the city’s growing film service industry, such as trained crew, equipment rentals, set design, carpentry and other home-grown expertise.  The activity also presents  important benefits for local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, retailers and more.

Other film projects now underway include Amélie et Compagnie, a children’s television series produced in Greater Sudbury by Carte Blanche films and broadcast on television and online on TFO, including TFO’s Youtube channel, the number one French-language YouTube channel in Canada. Produced in Greater Sudbury using local talent, know-how and production services, this series has resulted in direct spending in the community of over $4 million over the last three years. Locally, it employs 100 crew members, three key cast members, multiple speaking roles, and over 40 extras and background actors.

“We are very encouraged by the profile Greater Sudbury has been developing as a destination of choice for film and television producers considering Ontario for their projects, and we work actively to attract and sustain this innovative industry here in the city,” said Ian Wood, Director of Economic Development for the City of Greater Sudbury. “Our unique landscape, diverse community and hands-on support for production companies has certainly elevated our status as a film-friendly community.”

According to the 2017 City of Greater Sudbury From the Ground Up Economic Development Strategic Plan Annual Report recently released by the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, activity in this sector in 2016 and 2017 has included 38 different film, television and web series productions and total spending of $39.1 million in Greater Sudbury alone.

More information on how the City supports the film and television sector is available at www.filminsudbury.ca.