RECORD-SETTING ECONOMIC BENEFITS IN 2021: A LANDMARK YEAR FOR QUEBEC’S AUDIOVISUAL INDUSTRY

Quebec film and tv industry economic benefits

The Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC) is proud to publish the 2021 economic results for foreign film productions, visual effects and animation sectors.

While the economic benefits for the audiovisual industry were largely impacted by the health crisis in 2020, the QFTC is pleased to report a high growth for the year 2021. For the first time, all sectors combined (domestic and foreign productions, visual effects and animation) reached a record total volume of nearly $2.5 billion in direct spend in Quebec.

Foreign productions had its best year ever with $470 million in economic benefits*, 30% increase compared to 2019, where the impact was $360 million for an equivalent number of productions. This increase in economic benefits can be explained in particular by the hosting of television series from major American studios as well as larger-scale productions. In total, 21 foreign productions (eight series and thirteen films) were filmed in Quebec, compared to 30 in 2019 (eight series and twenty-two films). These projects included the television series, Three Pines, an adaptation of Louise Penny’s novels that is set in the Eastern Townships, Ghosts from CBS Television Studios/Lionsgate Television, the Netflix production Single All the Way, and the A24 horror comedy Disappointment Blvd. 2021 also saw the hosting of Paramount Pictures’ larger budget Transformers 7: Rise of the Beasts shoot. The impact of some of these foreign shoots will be recognized in 2022 and beyond.

The visual effects sector also experienced its best year to date, with $780 million in economic benefits* a 25% increase from 2019. As a reminder, Montreal is one of the three largest visual effects hubs in the world and the sector has averaged 27% annual growth between 2009 and 2019. Quebec studios worked on dozens of projects in 2021, including the films Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (Warner Bros) and Moonfall (Centropolis Entertainment, filmed in Quebec), as well as the series The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney) and Stranger Things (Netflix).

The animation sector has continued to experience sustained growth over the past five years. In 2021, the sector accounted for $171 million in economic benefits*. The projects that Quebec studios have worked on include F is for Family (Netflix), Ron’s Gone Wrong (Disney), What if…? (Marvel) and The Addams Family 2 (MGM).

The QFTC also wishes to highlight the growth in domestic productions, which also had an exceptional year in terms of economic impact and the number of projects produced.

After a very challenging year in 2020, the QFTC is very pleased to note that Quebec’s audiovisual industry as a whole has not only returned to its pre-pandemic production level, but has even greatly surpassed it. With a marked increase for content production worldwide, this data clearly demonstrates the appeal of Quebec’s expertise and talent and positions Quebec as an important player on the world stage. As an economic development agency, the QFTC will continue to fulfil its mission of cooperation and constant collaboration with all stakeholders from here and abroad, so that the audiovisual sector will continue to benefit from this growth in the years to come

Christine Maestracci, President and CEO of the QFTC.

*Statistical data provided by the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)

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Centre-du-Québec

From the foothills of the Appalachians to the St. Lawrence plains, the Centre-du-Québec region covers 6,910 square kilometres. The charm of rural villages and the views of the St. Lawrence River are among the region’s assets.

QUEBEC FILM AND TELEVISION COUNCIL

60 St-Jacques ST, Suite 502
Montréal, Quebec H2Y 1L5
CANADA
1 866 320-3456 (toll-free in North America)
514 499-7070
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bctq.ca

Capitale-Nationale (Québec City)

The Capitale-Nationale region offers a wide variety of natural settings and truly is the perfect environment for filming. The Old Québec neighbourhood is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic capital is unique in North America for its remarkable architecture, European ambience and military fortifications. In fact, it’s the only fortified city north of Mexico.
Among the many remarkable features, you will find magnificent, pristine parks; villages with numerous historic buildings, some dating back to New France; the rigorously reconstructed village of Wendake, home of the Huron-Wendat Nation; the dramatic landscapes along the banks of the majestic St. Lawrence River, and many other others. A film office and an experienced local workforce are at your service.

VILLE DE QUÉBEC Bureau des grands événements

15 Saint-Nicolas Street
Québec City, Quebec G1K 1M8
418 641-6726
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/tournage

Bas-Saint-Laurent​

From the shores of the St. Lawrence to the highlands, the Bas-Saint-Laurent region is a rich tapestry of maritime, lakeside, farming and forest landscapes… Its villages, islands, lighthouses, national parks and marine mammals are among the region’s assets.

QUEBEC FILM AND TELEVISION COUNCIL

60 St-Jacques ST, Suite 502
Montréal, Quebec H2Y 1L5
CANADA
1 866 320-3456 (toll-free in North America)
514 499-7070
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bctq.ca

Abitibi-Témiscamingue

A landscape of contrasting scenery of lakes and rivers, the vast region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue is situated north of the Ottawa river region, along the Quebec-Ontario border. It is inhabited by friendly people who take pride in sharing their history and culture.

Abitibi-Témiscamingue is very young, as far as regions go—its oldest city is 130 years old. However, traces of the Anishinabek people date back 8,000 years, and this Algonquin First Nation continues to be a thriving presence in the territory today.

QUEBEC FILM AND TELEVISION COUNCIL

60 St-Jacques ST, Suite 502
Montréal, Quebec H2Y 1L5
CANADA
1 866 320-3456 (toll-free in North America)
514 499-7070
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.bctq.ca

Nord-du-Québec​

Nord-du-Québec is the largest administrative region in Quebec, covering 55% of the total area of the province with its 839,000 square kilometres that include 121,000 square kilometres of lakes and rivers. Ivujivik, the northernmost town in Quebec, is located more than 1,900 km as the crow flies from Montréal and less than 502 km from the Arctic Circle. The 11,000 inhabitants — primarily Inuit — live in 14 villages located mostly on the coast, at the river mouths. Kuujjuaq, the administrative capital, has a population of 2,300.

QUEBEC FILM AND TELEVISION COUNCIL

60 St-Jacques ST, Suite 502
Montréal, Quebec H2Y 1L5
CANADA
1 866 320-3456 (toll-free in North America)
514 499-7070
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bctq.ca