Film Incentive BC Tax Credit

Q: How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Film Incentive BC Tax Credit a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Film Incentive BC Tax Credit is a Tax Credits

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Film Incentive BC Tax Credit?

Film Incentive BC Tax Credit is funded by Creative BC

Q: Who is eligible for the Film Incentive BC Tax Credit program?

To be eligible for the Film Incentive BC Tax Credit program, you must: • The production corporation must be Canadian-owned and controlled. • The corporation must have a permanent establishment in British Columbia. • The production corporation must apply for eligibility and completion certificates from Creative BC.

Q: Where is the Film Incentive BC Tax Credit available?

The Film Incentive BC Tax Credit program is available the province of BC.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

BC, Canada

Tax credit for BC film, television, animation and visual effects production

At a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Tax Credits

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

Canadian-controlled production companies can get a tax credit, starting at 35%, for labour costs incurred in British Columbia during film, television, digital animation and visual effects production.

Financing terms and conditions

The Film Incentive BC Tax Credit provides financing modalities structured around refundable tax credits for eligible productions in British Columbia. These credits aim to support the economic viability of film and animation projects through specific cost reimbursements.

Refundable labour-based tax credits applicable to Canadian controlled production corporations with a permanent establishment in BC.
Specific percentage credits on eligible BC labour costs to reduce tax payable, with any remaining balance paid out to the corporation.
Includes multiple initiatives such as the Basic, Regional, Distant Location, Training, Digital Animation, Visual Effects, and Post-Production (DAVE), and Scriptwriting tax credits.
Planned increase in the basic tax credit from 35% to 36% for productions commencing principal photography on or after January 1, 2025.
Designed to encourage local economic activity in the film, television, digital animation, and visual effects sectors.

Activities funded

The Film Incentive BC Tax Credit supports Canadian production companies by providing refundable tax credits for eligible BC labour costs. This program encourages the production of film, television, digital animation, and visual effects in British Columbia.

Production of live-action films with specific principal photography start dates.
Production of digital animation beginning on or after specified key animation dates.
Post-production activities, including visual effects, under the DAVE tax credit initiative.
Scriptwriting and film training projects that meet eligibility criteria based on expenditure dates.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 420,000

Developing a digital animation series for children, focused on educational content

$ 770,000

Creating a video game based on Canadian mythology and folklore

$ 630,000

Creating a virtual reality (VR) experience to explore Canadian history

$ 525,000

Producing a documentary series on the sustainable practices of local Canadian farmers

$ 700,000

Developing a television series about the diverse culinary traditions in Canada

$ 875,000

Producing a feature film highlighting the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Film Incentive BC (FIBC) tax credits requires specific conditions to be met by the production corporation.

The applicant must be a Canadian owned and controlled production corporation.
The corporation must have a permanent establishment in British Columbia.
The production must be a film, television, digital animation, or visual effects production taking place in British Columbia.
The corporation must apply to Creative BC to receive an eligibility and completion certificate for the production.
Eligible production costs must include BC labour costs.
The corporation must file a corporate income tax return along with the certificates with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Who is eligible?

The Film Incentive BC (FIBC) tax credit is available to Canadian-owned and controlled production corporations that have a permanent establishment in British Columbia. Eligible productions include film, television, digital animation, and visual effects projects that meet the certification requirements set by Creative BC. Only productions that have their principal photography start date aligned with the specified timeframes and criteria in the FIBC program guidelines are eligible to apply. Additionally, these corporations must have Canadian-controlled status and be involved in eligible productions where a significant portion of labour costs are incurred in B.C. for activities such as scriptwriting, animation, post-production, training, and filming.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports Canadian controlled production companies engaged in film, television, digital animation, and visual effects production in British Columbia. The program provides financial incentives to encourage various eligible activities within these sectors.

Film production, including live-action and animated films.
Television production, including series and one-time features.
Digital Animation, Visual Effects and Post-Production (DAVE) projects.
Screenwriting and Scriptwriting endeavors.
Film training initiatives aimed at developing local talent.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to Canadian owned and controlled production corporations with a permanent establishment in British Columbia. The eligible location ensures the promotion of the local film industry.

Canadian production corporations with a permanent establishment in British Columbia.

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant:

Evaluation is based on the project's alignment with program objectives, financial viability, market potential, and innovation.
Selection criteria include the project's economic impact, job creation, technical feasibility, and potential for long-term success.

How to apply

Eligibility Determination

Ensure your production corporation is Canadian owned and controlled with a permanent establishment in BC.
Determine which FIBC tax credits your production is eligible for based on the type of production and applicable start dates.

Pre-Application Preparation

Gather necessary documentation such as a production schedule, a schedule of BC/non-BC costs, and proof of BC residency (Schedule A).
Review the Application Eligibility Checklist to ensure all criteria are met.

Initial Application Submission (Eligibility Certificate)

Access the online Tax Credit Application Portal.
Complete and submit the eligibility certificate application as early as possible in pre-production or production stages but no later than 12 months from the start of principal photography.

Completion Certificate Application

Prepare and submit the completion certificate application at least 6 months before your corporate tax filing deadline.
Ensure all supporting documents and proofs of eligibility are included.

Submit Corporate Income Tax Return

Once eligibility and completion certificates are received, file your corporate income tax return including these certificates with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Ensure all tax credit forms and calculations are accurately completed using available calculators and resources from Creative BC.

Confirmation and Follow-Up

Receive confirmation of submission and processing timelines from Creative BC.
Keep in contact with Creative BC's Motion Picture Tax Credit Team for any updates or additional information required.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

It is recommended to apply early for tax credit certificates, ideally at the pre-production stage or no later than 12 months from the beginning of principal photography to ensure eligibility and processing.
Completion certificate applications should be submitted at least six months before the corporate income tax filing deadline to avoid losing tax credits.
Budget 2024 amends the Regional and Distant Location tax credits to exclude animated productions beginning on or after June 1, 2024.
The FIBC program may require up to four months to process applications, emphasizing the importance of timely submission.
Productions must be Canadian-owned and controlled with a permanent establishment in British Columbia to qualify for the tax credits.
This program offers multiple tax credits with varying percentages for different types of productions, including live-action and animated, depending on specific eligibility.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Film Incentive BC Tax Credit Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Film Incentive BC Tax Credit. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.