Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund

The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund is a financial support program designed to promote screen-based content creation within the province. This incentive aims to encourage film and television productions by offering a range of funding options for eligible projects that contribute to the local economy and leverage Nova Scotia's unique locations.

The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund stands as a pivotal program fostering the growth and development of screen-based content creation within Nova Scotia. Introduced to bolster the province’s burgeoning film industry, this incentive fund is structured to provide financial support to productions that are primarily engaged in creating films or videos intended for public viewing. Eligibility for this fund mandates that the production organization must have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia, ensuring that local economic benefits are maximized and that the creative industry within the province receives substantial support and encouragement.

The fund categorizes applications into two primary streams, Stream I and Stream II, each carrying distinct eligibility and incentive criteria based on the level of Nova Scotian ownership and control. Stream I is tailored for those productions with a higher percentage of local ownership, thereby receiving slightly higher base funding. In contrast, Stream II caters to productions with lesser local ownership, offering a slightly reduced base percentage of funding. Both streams, however, are structured to incentivize the hiring of Nova Scotian residents in key production roles, ensuring that local talent is prioritized and developed within the industry.

An additional layer of attractiveness within this fund is the Distant Location Incentive. Effective from April 2024, this incentive offers supplementary funding for productions that choose to shoot in locations distant from Halifax City Hall. This tiered incentive provides up to 10% additional funding, based on the exact distance from Halifax, encouraging the exploration and utilization of Nova Scotia's vast and scenic landscapes. The incentive is structured into two zones, offering enhanced percentages for more remote location shoots, thereby dispersing production activities across the province and showcasing Nova Scotia's unique geographical diversity.

The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund also offers several other funding increases based on specific production activities. Productions that engage over 30 days of principal photography in the province can obtain additional financial advantages. Moreover, productions taking place predominantly in rural or non-metropolitan areas receive extra earnings, further supporting regional economic development and promoting decentralized filming activities across the province.

Furthermore, this fund incorporates a Nova Scotia Content Incentive which enables productions that deeply integrate local themes, stories, or characters to receive further financial boosts. The Content Incentive is pivotal as it not only supports producers financially but also encourages storytelling that is authentically Nova Scotian, thereby contributing to cultural preservation and storytelling diversity.

While the financial incentives provided by the fund are significant, the application process is designed to ensure that only the most committed productions receive support. The full application, accompanied by all necessary documentation, must be submitted prior to the onset of principal photography. A non-refundable application fee is also requisite, underscoring the fund's commitment to supporting only serious and viable production initiatives within the province.

The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund has meticulously outlined guidelines to aid applicants in the submission process. These guidelines, along with various declaration forms, address every aspect of the fund, ensuring transparency and clarity. They also serve as an essential guide to assist producers in understanding which costs can be considered eligible Nova Scotia costs, thereby optimizing their funding potential.

Ultimately, the Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund not only enhances the economic landscape by attracting film and TV projects to the area but also positions Nova Scotia as a forefront region for creative and cultural industries. By building an environment that nurtures local talent and leverages regional strengths, the fund paves the way for a dynamic film and television industry that contributes significantly to the cultural and economic vitality of the province.