Whether creating a big budget television series, a blockbuster feature, a small indie film, or a national commercial, finding the right place to shoot your project is one of the most important (and challenging) decisions faced in pre-production. Artistic and logistic choices aside, having a skilled local workforce, robust infrastructure support, and of course financial considerations – currency benefits and competitive tax incentives are all prerequisites to attract top productions.

An annual study from FilmL.A., recently found that out of the top 100 box office hits of 2017, Canada hosted more film shoots and VFX than any other jurisdiction in the world. It’s the first time Canada hit the number one spot on this list, so timing is good to take a closer look at some of the country’s most unique filming locations.

Playback’s new Location Showcase shines a light on film offices in Ontario and Alberta examining what shooting in their respective regions is all about. From Calgary’s stunning landscapes and urban centre, which have played host to a bevy of award-winners, to the strategic growth of Kingston, having opened a film office for the first time, to the distinctive positioning of Hamilton’s Conservation Authority just outside of Toronto, it’s clear that all consider it game-on to compete for their piece of the global enterprise of production business.