New production in this fiscal year should result in further incentives in future years.
Eligible provincial producers may now apply for funding via one of two streams; the Saskatchewan Stream, or the Service Production Stream. The Saskatchewan Stream grant provides funding for up to 30% of all eligible Saskatchewan expenditures, up to a maximum of $5 million per application this year, a significant increase from the previous cap of $600,000. The Service Production Stream allows applicants to apply for up to 25% of all eligible Saskatchewan expenditures to a maximum of $5 million.
“This significant increase to the Saskatchewan Stream cap, along with the announcement for Service Production, will result in rapid growth for our screen-based creative entrepreneurs and good paying jobs for our provincial crews,“ stated Lioz Bouganin, President of the SMPIA Board of Directors.
Qualified applicants may also be eligible for additional bonuses up to a maximum of 40% of eligible Saskatchewan expenditures for the Saskatchewan Stream, or a maximum of 35% for the Service Production Stream. When the majority of a production takes place at least 50 KM outside of Regina or Saskatoon, productions may be eligible for a 5% rural bonus incentive. If the majority of post-production takes place in Saskatchewan, productions may be eligible for a 5% Saskatchewan post-production bonus.
Ken Alecxe, SMPIA Executive Director added, “We are pleased with the Saskatchewan government’s initiatives to support our film and television industry, which now makes us an attractive place to do business. These incentives will help grow the Saskatchewan economy and make it easier to attract outside investment, resulting in more Saskatchewan stories being told and sold, more jobs in provincial communities, and new businesses.”
SMPIA is a non-profit organization whose members are involved in the production and promotion of screen based media in the province.
-Ken Alecxe, Executive Director
