For immediate release
December 20, 2022
Ottawa – The Ottawa Film Office (OFO), the local not-for-profit organization dedicated to growing Ottawa’s film and television industry, is delighted to announce today that live-action production generated $57 million in local economic activity in 2022. A 37 per cent increase over 2021’s record year, this money was directly spent in our communities on local labour, talent, hotels, equipment and vehicle rentals, locations, restaurants and catering, casting, and other small businesses.
“I am thrilled to be working in a role where I can contribute to the growth of the film industry in Ottawa. The city offers so much to filmmakers, from stable tax incentives and a highly-skilled and bilingual workforce, to great, easily-accessible filming locations and a streamlined permitting process,” says Ottawa Film Commissioner Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos. “I am dedicated to supporting our filmmakers, continuing to make Ottawa a prime affordable boutique destination, and developing much-needed infrastructure. There is much to look forward in 2023 and I can’t wait to make it happen!”
Reported production volume is based on data shared with the OFO; with the inclusion of in-house productions and animation, the screen-based production industry is expected to have generated over $130 million for the local economy in 2022.
“In addition to direct spending, the film industry stimulates economic development in other areas such as hospitality, tourism, and education, and helps raise Ottawa’s profile as a vibrant, creative city,” add Lise Sarazin, Chair of the OFO Board of Directors. “This year’s record-setting numbers, bolstered by feel-good holiday content, shows that the sector is an important economic driver for the region, creating high-value jobs and supporting a range of small businesses. The OFO Board congratulates everyone who works in the local industry and contributed to its success.”
Interesting facts:
- 30 feature-length films were shot in and around Ottawa in 2022, including 16 holiday movies.
- Over 15 television series were shot in the region this year, including Canadian French-language series Gang de hockey, Eaux turbulentes (season 2), and La vie compliquée de Léa Olivier (season 3), all expected to premiere in early 2023.
- Locally-animated projects that were released this year include Pinecone & Pony (Apple TV+), The Wonderful Autumn of Mickey Mouse (Disney+), Inside Job part 2 (Netflix), Interrupting Chicken (Apple TV+), and Reindeer in Here (CBS).
- Two of the five nominees for Best TV Movie at the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards were filmed and produced in Ottawa: The Christmas Setup and Midnight at the Magnolia.
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About the Ottawa Film Office
The Ottawa Film Office is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to help stimulate Ottawa’s economy by attracting film and television production to the region, fostering the growth and development of the local film and television industry, and promoting the region as a preferred industry destination. Its services include location support, production attraction and development, and industry and government liaison and advocacy.
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Photo courtesy of Albert Camicioli
