QUEBEC PRODUCTION GUIDE
Q/A
IMMIGRATION AND VISA REQUIREMENTS
WHAT VISA REQUIREMENTS SHOULD FOREIGN FILM CREWS AND TALENT BE AWARE OF WHEN WORKING IN QUEBEC?
International film crews generally need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Work Permit to work in Quebec. Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP) provides specific exemptions for certain entertainment industry roles, which can streamline the application process. vfx like ACTRA Montreal, Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) and AQTIS 514 IATSE, along with Quebec-based production service companies, can assist producers in navigating the permit and visa requirements for actors, crew, and other essential personnel. To avoid potential delays, early application is highly recommended.
ARE THERE SPECIFIC WORK PERMITS REQUIRED FOR TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS IN THE FILM INDUSTRY?
Yes, for positions that don’t qualify for exemptions, foreign workers must apply under the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. Quebec’s production service companies and immigration advisors can offer tailored support to ensure a smooth process and compliance with local regulatory requirements.
ARE THERE SPECIAL PERMITS OR IMPORT REGULATIONS FOR BRINGING EQUIPMENT INTO QUEBEC?
Yes, the ATA Carnet system allows for duty-free and tax-free temporary imports, which is beneficial for productions requiring specialized equipment. Producers should coordinate with Canadian customs to confirm compliance with import requirements and ensure the smooth entry of gear and equipment into Quebec.
TAX WAIVERS AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS
WHAT IS THE MAIN TAX INCENTIVE AVAILABLE TO AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTIONS IN QUEBEC?
Tax Credit for Film Production Services: This incentive is designed to attract international productions, offering a 25% rate on all-spend production costs for eligible expenses incurred in Quebec. An additional 16% rebate is available specifically for labor costs related to digital animation, special effects, green screen, and virtual production work. Eligible expenses include wages, local salaries, stages, equipment rentals, filming locations, flights, lodging, and more.
Requirements:
- Minimum budget: CAD $250,000
- Production can be partially completed in Quebec
- No requirement for broadcasting or public exhibition
For complete details, please refer to Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC). SODEC is the government agency dedicated to supporting and promoting Quebec’s cultural industry, including film and television production. It administers various financial incentives and programs that make Quebec an attractive location for international audiovisual projects. SODEC provides guidance and support to help productions maximize their benefits from these incentives, contributing to the growth and visibility of Quebec’s cultural and creative industries.
ARE THERE ADDITIONAL TAX INCENTIVES FOR SPECIFIC PRODUCTION TYPES, LIKE ANIMATION, VFX, OR GREEN PRODUCTIONS?
Yes, starting with the 25% all-spend production costs, eligible expenditures that relate to computer-aided animation and special effects, including the shooting of scenes in front of a chroma-key for use in an eligible production, give rise to an additional 16% of the qualified labour cost (65% of the admissible cost of a contract and the other costs related to the contract), as well as the activities that directly contribute to the shooting of scenes in front of a chromatic screen.
Please refer to Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC).
DO INTERNATIONAL PRODUCERS AND NON-RESIDENT WORKERS QUALIFY FOR QUEBEC’S TAX CREDITS AND WAIVERS?
Yes, Quebec provides tax incentives and relief options for international producers and non-residents involved in audiovisual productions. International producers are eligible for the Tax Credit for Film Production Services, which supports productions meeting certain criteria, such as a minimum 183-day duration in Quebec or incurring specific eligible expenses within the province. This credit can significantly offset costs related to hiring local talent, resources, and services, making Quebec an attractive option for foreign productions.
In addition to these tax credits, Quebec offers further tax relief for non-residents in key production roles. Non-Canadian residents working as Producers, Directors, Visual Effects Supervisors, or in similar positions for more than 183 days may apply for a withholding tax waiver. This waiver, managed by the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), reduces personal tax obligations, enhancing the financial viability of working long-term in Quebec. Early application is recommended to ensure compliance and timely processing of these benefits.
PRODUCTION RESOURCES AND STUDIO FACILITIES
WHAT TYPES OF STUDIO AND POST-PRODUCTION FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN QUEBEC?
The province of Quebec offers an impressive range of top-tier studio facilities. Montreal is home to renowned studios like MELS and Grandé, which feature extensive sound stages, virtual production sets, production offices, and full-service post-production capabilities. Additionally, the province of Quebec’s visual effects and animation sector ranks among the largest in North America, with over 40 specialized studios located primarily in Montreal and Quebec City, providing an extensive range of digital resources and expertise tailored to international productions.
WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL PRODUCERS TO ACCESS QUEBEC’S LOCAL TALENT AND INDUSTRY NETWORKS?
Yes, Quebec offers substantial support for international producers seeking local talent and industry connections. Organizations like ACTRA Montreal provide access to skilled local talent across diverse production roles, while Quebec’s renowned visual effects and animation sectors offer a highly trained workforce with international experience.
Additionally, unions and networks, such as the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) and AQTIS 514 IATSE, connect foreign productions with skilled crew, talent, and logistical resources, ensuring smooth operations and adherence to local standards essential for successful production in Quebec.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
WHAT IS THE 1% LAW, AND HOW DOES IT APPLY TO FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS IN QUEBEC?
The Act to Promote Workforce Skills Development and Recognition, commonly called the 1% Law, requires companies with a payroll exceeding $2 million annually to invest 1% of that payroll in workforce training. All production companies operating in Quebec, whether Quebec-based, Canadian, or foreign, must comply.
Companies have three options to meet this requirement:
- Create in-house training programs and report eligible expenses to the Quebec government.
- Direct the required amount to Quebec’s consolidated training fund, supporting training across all sectors.
- Contribute the 1% to L’inis, the designated mutual training organization for Quebec’s audiovisual sector.
L’inis (L’Institut national de l’image et du son) is Quebec’s premier institution for professional training in the audiovisual industry. As a recognized organization, L’inis brings together expertise from across the sector to address the evolving skills and knowledge needs of industry professionals. By contributing to L’inis, companies support industry-wide training programs in areas such as production, financing, health and safety, and more, fostering a competitive and skilled workforce in Quebec.
For details or to obtain forms, contact Jean Hamel, Executive Director of L’inis, at jhamel@inis.qc.ca.
LANGUAGE REGULATIONS AND LAW 96
WHAT IMPACT DOES LAW 96 HAVE ON THE AUDIOVISUAL SECTOR?
Law 96 strengthens the use of the French language in Quebec, with specific requirements tailored to the audiovisual industry. Productions intended for local distribution must incorporate French-language elements, such as signage, promotional materials, and, if applicable, dubbing or subtitling, to ensure accessibility for Francophone audiences. Additionally, foreign productions employing more than 50 people in Quebec for a continuous period of six months are required to register with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), a threshold that will decrease to 25 employees as of June 2025.
Once a production reaches the employment threshold, registration with the OQLF must occur within six months. The registration process includes providing details about the company’s legal status, structure, organization, and activities. After registration, the OQLF issues a certificate, and within three months, the company must submit an analysis of its linguistic situation. This analysis evaluates the extent of French usage within the organization. If French is not sufficiently used, the company may be required to implement a francization program.
The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) is the government body responsible for promoting and ensuring the use of French across industries in Quebec, including audiovisual productions. For more information, consult OQLF.
WHAT DOES A FRANCIZATION PROGRAM INVOLVE FOR FOREIGN PRODUCTIONS IN THE AUDIOVISUAL INDUSTRY?
If a foreign audiovisual production is required to implement a francization program, the goal is to generalize the use of French across all levels of the organization. This includes ensuring a good knowledge of French among senior officers and staff, using French as the primary language of work and internal communication, and employing French in work documents, signage, and public communications related to the production.
Since Bill 96 took effect on June 1, 2022, certain exemptions apply to audiovisual productions focused on non-French language content. Activities directly tied to non-French cultural content are generally excluded from francization requirements if they cannot be conducted in French. This exemption allows productions to continue with specific language-related activities without needing to fully comply with francization obligations when the content cannot reasonably be produced in French.
Miller Thomson LLP is a Canadian law firm offering expertise on language compliance tailored to the needs of the audiovisual industry, helping production companies navigate Law 96 requirements. For additional guidance on francization requirements, visit Miller Thomson.
ARE THERE ADDITIONAL EXEMPTIONS TO LAW 96 FOR FOREIGN AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTIONS?
Yes, foreign audiovisual productions primarily targeting audiences outside Quebec generally face fewer requirements under Law 96. Productions aimed at non-Quebec markets may be exempt from some language regulations, especially those related to francization. However, productions distributed within Quebec may still need to provide French subtitles or other language adaptations to meet provincial language laws.
The Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC) offers resources specific to the audiovisual industry to assist productions with language compliance and promotional tools. For more information on language regulations applicable to the industry, visit the QFTC.
GENERAL PRODUCTION SUPPORT
WHAT GENERAL SUPPORT DOES QUEBEC OFFER TO FOREIGN PRODUCTIONS?
The Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC) offers assistance with location scouting, permits, and vendor connections, streamlining logistics for foreign producers. Additionally, associations such as the Association québécoise de la production médiatique (APQM) and various Municipal and regional film offices provide local expertise and resources, ensuring that foreign productions have access to a well-established support network throughout Quebec.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR QUEBEC PRODUCTIONS
DOES QUEBEC OFFER RESOURCES FOR ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTIONS?
Yes, the Rolling Green program, an initiative of the Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC), promotes sustainable practices for the audiovisual industry by providing a full range of tools and resources to make your shoots, animation studios, or visual effects studios, more sustainable. The program offers three levels of accreditation (commitment, performance and excellence) developed to recognize and encourage the implementation of eco-responsible productions in Quebec. Find all the information on Rolling Green.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A FILMING PERMIT IN QUEBEC?
The Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC) collaborates with municipal and regional film offices across Quebec to streamline the permitting process for productions. Local film offices provide expert guidance, ensuring that all permits are secured efficiently to keep productions on schedule. For assistance, contact the QFTC or the appropriate local film office in Quebec.
