Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund

The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund offers financial support to organizations involved in creating film and video productions intended for public viewing, with an additional incentive for filming in distant locations. This fund encourages investment in the local economy by requiring productions to have a significant financial spend within the province.

The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund is an exceptional opportunity for film and television producers who focus on screen-based content creation within Nova Scotia. It offers substantial financial support to productions that significantly engage with the local economy, evidenced through a minimum Nova Scotian financial spend, and an emphasis on employing local talent and resources. This fund is a catalyst for enhancing the film industry infrastructure within the province, promoting sustainability, and showcasing Nova Scotia as a vibrant location for cultural media production.

Applicants have the flexibility to choose from two streams, each with distinct advantages, tailored to maximize the benefits for locally controlled projects or those with significant external involvement. Stream I is targeted at productions with a stronger Nova Scotian ownership and control, providing a base funding of 26% of eligible local production costs, with the potential for additional funding based on various criteria, such as non-metropolitan filming locations or extended production schedules. Stream II, while offering a slightly lower base funding percentage, is aimed at productions with less local ownership but still incentivizes the use of local residents in key production roles.

A notable feature of the fund is the Distant Location Incentive, rewarding productions that choose to film beyond the immediate Halifax area. This incentive, starting April 2024, is strategically tiered to support productions based on their proximity from Halifax City Hall, potentially offering up to a 10% additional funding for shoots farther afield. This tiered approach not only helps in diversifying the filming locations within Nova Scotia but also invigorates economic activities in communities that might otherwise be overlooked, thereby fostering regional development and showcasing the diverse landscapes of the province.

Furthermore, with the Nova Scotia Content Incentive, productions can receive further bonuses if they incorporate substantial local cultural elements, narratives, or themes, thus encouraging them to reflect the province's unique cultural tapestry in their storytelling. All these incentives underline a strategic aim to nurture a robust, culturally relevant, and economically beneficial film industry within Nova Scotia.

The application process is streamlined to ensure ease and accessibility for prospective applicants. It involves online submissions, complete with detailed documentation such as statutory declarations, cost workbooks, and evidence supporting eligibility criteria. To ensure clarity, all resources, including guidelines, forms, and worksheets, are readily available and should be reviewed carefully before submission.

Applicants are encouraged to get their submissions in ahead of their principal photography schedule to avoid any processing delays. The fund is designed not only to attract economic investment into the region but also to empower local communities by nurturing and harnessing their potential in arts and culture. As such, it stands as a pivotal program for filmmakers eager to make a mark both within Nova Scotia and on the international stage, offering them a competitive edge through strategic financial backing and local engagement incentives.