Manitoba has extended its tax break on interactive projects and, as of this week’s new budget, is offering producers a choice between two credits for film and TV shoots.

The province’s 40% labor break on interactive, which was set to expire at the end of next year, will now run until the end of 2013.

The province’s rebate on film and television labor will stay at 65%, but producers will have a choice between the old credit and a new 30% break on labor plus production costs and other goods and services provided in Manitoba. Both credits are available equally to domestic and foreign shoots that begin after this month.

The changes follow lobbying within the province, notes Manitoba Film and Music CEO Carole Vivier, who expects business to pick up. Winnipeg-based Buffalo Gal Pictures was quick to announce that it has locked three projects as a result of the changes.

‘Another outcome we’re anticipating is that infrastructure will grow as a result of it. On the goods and service side as well, which will be great for the province,’ says Vivier.

MFM has yet to finalize its numbers for 2009, but Vivier estimates that the total production spend in the province last year was roughly $70 million, down from $61.4 million in 2008. Recent features shot in the province include A Haunting in Connecticut, Amreeka and New in Town.