Nova Scotia has it all: our competitive incentives make Nova Scotia the ideal filming location for your next project. Combine provincial and federal funding to make your budget cost-effective, while working with world-class talent in inspiring locations.
FINANCING: PROVINCIAL
| NOVA SCOTIA FILM & TV PRODUCTION INCENTIVE FUND
The Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund (NSFPIF) is based on an all-spend model and payable to producers for eligible Nova Scotia costs. This new Production Incentive Fund is administered by the province’s leading economic development agency, Nova Scotia Business Inc., and enables producers to receive incentive funding of 25% – 32% of eligible costs for all spending in Nova Scotia, including labour, goods and services. Quick facts:
Learn more about the new Nova Scotia Film & Television Production Incentive Fund HERE / Download the Fund guidelines. For more information contact Nova Scotia Business Inc. Linda Wood, Senior Account Manager, Film & Television |
| DIGITAL MEDIA TAX CREDIT
Nova Scotia offers a digital media tax credit that rivals all others in Canada – making this the ideal place for video game development and interactive media. Qualifying companies can claim the lesser of 50% of the qualifying expenditures or 25% of total expenditures. Qualifying expenditures could include: 100% of eligible salaries in Nova Scotia, 65% of third party labour remuneration and up to $100,000 in marketing and distribution expenditures. Learn more about the Digital Media Tax Credit HERE. |
| DIGITAL ANIMATION TAX CREDIT The digital animation industry has exploded out of Nova Scotia’s creative community in recent years. One contributor is the industry-leading animation tax credit, which create significant cost savings for animation companies and studios. The Digital Animation Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit for costs directly related to the development of digital animation in Nova Scotia.This tax credit provides an incentive of up to 60% on labour associated with the project, including a labour bonus of 17.5% on animation-specific activities. The labour bonus is in addition to the base credit available.Learn more about the Digital Animation Tax Credit HERE. |
PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDING
| EASTLINK TELEVISION INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION PROGRAM
Bring your animated and/or live-action TV series to life! Designed to finance Nova Scotian television productions, this program could provide you with an equity investment of up to $300,000, to a maximum of 20% of your total budget. Interested? Start by ensuring your production is high in Canadian content. News & Guidelines for the Eastlink Fund NSBI Contact: |
| INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION FUND (IPF)
The Independent Production Fund was established in 1991 to provide financial support for dramatic television and web series series created by Canadian independent producers. Web Drama Series: Professional Development: The IPF also administers the Bell Fund and the Cogeco Media Fund. For deadlines, guidelines and applications, CLICK HERE. Contact: info@ipf.ca / 416.977.8966 |
FINANCING: FEDERAL
| TELEFILM CANADA
Telefilm Canada is a team of some 200 professionals serving the industry from four offices located across Canada. Dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry, Telefilm, through its various funding and promotion programs, supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm Canada supports all stages of a feature film, from development, to production and post-production, to marketing to audiences both at home and abroad. To learn more about Telefilm Canada’s extensive financing options, click HERE. To discover funds and partnerships opportunities, click HERE. Atlantic Region Office: |
| CANADA MEDIA FUND (CMF) The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, promotes, develops and finances the production of Canadian content and relevant applications for all audiovisual media platforms.The CMF is a not-for-profit corporation that delivers $371.2 million in funding annually to support the Canadian television and digital media industries through two streams of funding: the Experimental Stream and the Convergent Stream.Through the Convergent Stream, the CMF supports the creation of convergent television and digital media content for consumption by Canadians anytime, anywhere. The convergent stream is made up of various programs and incentives that target key activities and audiences.The Experimental Stream encourages the development of innovative, interactive digital media content and software applications.Atlantic Region Contact: 1660 Hollis Street, Suite 401, Halifax, NS, B3J 1V7 Susy MacGillivray, Development Analyst, CMF Program Administrator susy.macGillivray@telefilm.ca / 902.426.8425 x 2724 |
| EURIMAGES (COPRODUCTION)
Canada is the 38th member country of the Eurimages – European Cinema Support Fund and the first non-European member country. This program, through the Council of Europe, aims to support the coproduction of cinematographic works between member countries.Who can apply? Canadian production companies with an eligible coproduction project with at least one other member country. Overview of the program & eligibility requirements: click HERE. Contact: infocopro@telefilm.ca / 1.800.567.0890 |
SUPPORT PROGRAMS & FUNDS
| NSBI – TRAVEL SUPPORT NSBI’s Export Growth Program contributes up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $15,000 for a business to cover the following:
NSBI Export Growth Application Form and Guidelines. Contact: Nicole Johnson-Morrison, Export Development Executive |
| NSBI – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT The Small Business Development Program supports the acquisition of a private sector consultant to provide professional expertise. The program contributes up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum incentive of $15,000.Eligible costs include:
Small Business Development Program Application Form and Guidelines. Contact: Nicole Johnson-Morrison, Export Development Executive |
| NOVA SCOTIA: CREATIVE INDUSTRIES FUND
This fund (now available for film & television producers) helps Nova Scotia businesses within the creative sector expand into new and developing markets, encourage growth and promote innovation through collaboration and partnerships. For more information on eligibility and program details please visit HERE. Contact: Mickey Quase |
| ARTS NOVA SCOTIA
Arts Nova Scotia is the provincial funding agency that provides support to professional artists and arts organizations, arts education programs and a number of arts awards and prizes. For more details on grants and awards for individuals and organizations, please visit HERE. |
PERMITS AND GUIDELINES
Health and Safety Guidelines for the Nova Scotia Screen Based Production Industry (updated February 2014)
Halifax Film Office for location / filming permits in HRM.
COMBINING INCENTIVES
Canada Film Capital has created an incentives calculator (CLICK HERE) to calculate your total provincial and federal tax incentives. You’ll notice that when combined with federal incentives, Nova Scotia’s fund is one of the most competitive in Canada.