British Columbia Film Commission - Home Page

The British Columbia Film Commission is your gateway to film production in British Columbia. Our role is to guide you to the best locations, people, facilities and resources available. We offer assistance in accessing every competitive advantage to help you complete your production on time and on budget. In partnership with industry, the community and government, we make every effort to create a welcoming and competitive business climate for production and work together to make British Columbia one of the most attractive production locations in North America.

To find out about what is currently shooting in British Columbia, go to our Film List which is updated weekly and provides information on all projects currently in production in the province.

The Internet Movie Database is an excellent production resource that provides comprehensive details and information on virtually every production, including complete cast and crew lists, plot summary, release dates and filming locations.

In the province of British Columbia, programs relating to the motion picture industry are delivered by two distinct organizations. British Columbia Film is a non-profit society that provides a range of programs to assist with project financing, marketing and professional skills development, and also administers the provincial tax credit programs. The BC Film Commission, a branch of the provincial Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts, is responsible for overseeing all production activity in British Columbia and markets the province as a film location. Questions regarding production services, including locations, permits, crews, or a list of productions currently shooting in BC, should be directed to the BC Film Commission.

Hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, lumberyards, florists, dry cleaners, helicopter pilots, gas stations, truck and car rental companies, banks, caterers, homeowners and many other locally-based businesses benefit when a film comes to town. The provision of meals alone can mean expenditures of several thousand dollars a day. Film production also helps the province's tourism industry and can serve as a great travelogue for communities by exposing audiences to new and unfamiliar locales.

British Columbia's "World of Looks" and incredible natural diversity has made it extremely popular with local and international filmmakers. Virtually every kind of cinematic look can be found in BC and this diversity brings filming to communities throughout the province. In addition to diverse locations, BC offers producers many other competitive advantages including: a skilled and creative labour force, full service production infrastructure, leading-edge post production and visual effects facilities, and competitive provincial and federal tax credits.

The BC Film Commission represents the entire province of British Columbia and it's the incredible diversity of locations in all regions of the province that is the industry's strongest selling point. In partnership with municipal film offices and eight regional film commissions, BCFC works hard to deliver exceptional production service and support to ensure that BC remains one of the best places on earth for motion picture production.

You will first need to determine which area of the industry interests you most. If you want to work on a film set, or be an actor, it is important to contact the union associated with that particular area of interest. Check out our industry contacts section for information on local labour unions and guilds and other industry organizations. If you want to write, direct or produce, it is recommended you meet with other people who are working in the industry. Contact the major industry organizations like the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, DGC-BC, Canadian Independent Film & Television Producers Association (CFTPA), Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC), Praxis or Women in Film & Video Vancouver (WIFVV). These organizations offer great networking opportunities through a variety of seminars and career workshops designed to get you started and excited about your new career. You may want to consider programs offered through training institutions like the Canadian Film Centre, or the National Screen Institute. In addition, mentorship programs are offered by British Columbia Film, the CFTPA, and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.