Looking back, 2023 might have been a bumpy year in Hollywood, but in Alberta it was full steam ahead. The Canadian province welcomed several productions, including the 17th season of the internationally popular Heartland, Season 5 of Fargo and the Netflix smash hit My Life with the Walter Boys. With the industry back in full-swing, Alberta continues to be a location of choice with Netflix’s The Abandons, the second season of My Life with the Walter Boys and the feature film Wynonna Earp: Vengeance all in production.
Fargo season 5 was filmed in southwest Alberta from Didsbury to Stavely. Photo above set in Willow Creek County, courtesy of Amazon/MGM.
The province is looking to welcome even more activity from around the world. Recently, Alberta’s government announced changes to the Alberta Film and Television Tax Credit (FTTC) program to help more producers make Alberta their location of choice. The FTTC is now easier to navigate and tax credits can be accessed earlier. The updated program also makes it more attractive than ever to film in rural, remote and underused areas of the province, and an expanded criteria means game shows and reality television are now eligible under the program.
“Alberta’s growing film and television industry is vital to our province’s economic and cultural landscape. Our government’s changes to the FTTC are making the program more effective so international film and television production companies and industry stakeholders are attracted to Alberta. The changes to the FTTC program demonstrate our commitment to supporting industry growth for Alberta’s long-term economic gain,” says Matt Jones, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade.
Alberta is more ready than ever to take on large productions. HBO’s The Last of Us earned Alberta’s participating film commissions the 2023 Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) Outstanding Film Commission Award and showed the world how Alberta can support huge projects of this scale. Alberta certainly has the variety of landscapes to tell any story.
My Life with the Walter Boys is filmed in Calgary and surrounding areas. Photo above set in Crossfield, courtesy of Netflix.
“Alberta is blessed with diverse and beautiful landscapes. Yes, we have the majestic Rocky Mountains and big sky prairies, but our province has more than that. We have urban centres, lush forests, badlands and even sand dunes,” says Tanya Fir, Alberta’s Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. “If you can dream it, Alberta can help you put it on screen.”
No matter the size of production, Alberta is calling all filmmakers, including local productions.
“Alberta’s government is continuing to support Alberta-based, small-budget productions this year with close to $5.5 million in grants through the Alberta Made Screen Industries Program. Last year, the new Training and Mentorship Incentive supported 10,000 hours of training in all areas of production, widening the pool of talent to help filmmakers of all stripes with their next project,” adds Minister Fir.
Looking at Alberta for your next filming destination?
Be sure to visit the province’s Online Locations Library, which covers a wide range of natural, rural and urban locales—from the Rockies and the Badlands to West Edmonton Mall. Alberta’s Sustainable Production Guide offers a list of local vendors and partners that provide eco-friendly service.
Economic Development Lethbridge
https://www.chooselethbridge.ca/
Discover Lethbridge and Southwest Alberta: an emerging filming destination with unique period buildings, stunning river valley coulees featuring the world’s longest and highest viaduct bridge, 100,000 sq ft of convertible warehouse space, picturesque rural towns, great hotels, restaurants, and rich Indigenous history. Ideal for capturing diverse, breathtaking scenes in one versatile location.
Running in the Coulees
Mountain View Regional Film Office
Make it Reel Big in Mountain View! From emotional long shots to dramatic close-ups, we offer modern industrial, vintage small-town charm, brick buildings, nostalgic 80s vibes, western and wild natural beauty – mountains, meadows and rivers. Mountain View Regional Film Office provides tailored concierge services for all your production needs, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
Didsbury Mainstreet Nightscape
Sundre Hill
