To the detriment of the Saskatchewan economy, film studios and production companies have been detouring around the province in the years following the removal of Saskatchewan’s film tax credits. Gone are the days of the beloved prairie classic comedy Corner Gas filming on the streets of Rouleau.
Films with a strong Saskatchewan connection, like Percy which chronicled the fight over GMO property based in nearby Bruno, are shot in other prairie locales like Manitoba. Director of the film Percy, Clark Johnson, stated the decision was based purely on economics – with no tax incentives, other locations are more attractive, and in some cases are necessary to finance the finished product.
Now, the Saskatchewan film industry is coming around with an announcement and set of screenings hosted by Creative Saskatchewan and the provincial government. On September 9, Kramer IMAX Theatre lit up with trailers and behind-the-scenes clips from 13 productions recently filmed in the province.
A government release noted the showreel featured films from the 2023-24 fiscal year which are either released and available for viewing or in the final stages before release.
"Our government is proud to invest $12 million annually to support productions like these, filmed in locations throughout our province, in urban centres as large as Saskatoon to smaller rural communities such as Prud'Homme," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. "The industry is growing in Saskatchewan, and the films screened today demonstrate both the variety of productions and the versatility of our province as a filming destination."
Since April 2023, approximately $22 million has been committed to 36 productions through the Creative Saskatchewan Feature Film and Television Production Grant. These productions are estimated to produce a Saskatchewan spend of over $55 million generating an approximate economic output of $93 million and support more than 900 jobs.
The IMAX theatre at the Saskatchewan Science Centre is also set for a boost with the purchase of the IMAX GT dual laser digital projection system.
“This new digital laser projection system will allow the Science Centre to continue to offer high-quality IMAX and giant screen educational documentary films well into the future, as well as full-length feature films, enhancing visitors’ viewing experiences and allowing the Science Centre to continue its role as a major community attraction and cementing its position as one of the few giant screen theatres in Canada,” the release went on to say.
The following is a listing of the featured “made in Saskatchewan” productions and where to find them:
- Why Am I - Citytv | Watch Full TV Episodes Online & See TV Schedule
- Staying Wild - Citytv | Watch Full TV Episodes Online & See TV Schedule
- Flat Out Food - Citytv | Watch Full TV Episodes Online & See TV Schedule
- Guardians of the North - Citytv | Watch Full TV Episodes Online & See TV Schedule
- Red River Gold - Coming soon to APTN!
- Chums Chums Season 1: Where To Watch Every Episode | Reelgood
- Welcome to Kittytown - Saskatchewan movie theatres
- Sideways - Coming soon!
- Treaty Road | APTN
- Stories of the North - Citytv | Watch Full TV Episodes Online & See TV Schedule
- For Country: First In Last Out - Coming soon!
- Gifts of Christmas - Coming soon!
- We Kill Them All - Coming soon!