Film, TV & Creative Industries
Calgary is a creative city. Art, culture, design, architecture, multimedia, skill, passion, imagination, inspiration, problem solving, research, and innovation – all words synonymous with Calgary’s creative industries and all contributing to the birth of new ideas and the prosperity of communities.
Calgary's film, TV and creative industries sector encompasses three main categories:
Cultural industries
This sub-sector is traditionally associated with the application of creativity as it directly relates to arts and culture
- Performing & visual arts
- Museum & heritage institutions
Convergent media
This sub-sector is comprised of professionals that participate in a creative process of communication and creation of new media products and services
- Advertising & marketing
- Publishing & printing
- Specialized design (including graphic design)
- Film, video & sound production
- Broadcasting
- Information technology
- Digital media
Creative design and consulting
This sub-sector includes the professionals who leverage their creative resources in the creation and delivery of a product or service, tapping artistic and creative talent in an applied domain
- Architecture & related services
- Research & development
- Consulting services
Calgary's film & TV sector is a vibrant community that helps diversify Alberta's economy. With annual production volumes of $100 million and a 5:1 return on investment, the Calgary region is a key location of choice for local, national and international filmmakers. Our award-winning crews and locations have provided the backdrop for films including Brokeback Mountain, Inception, The Bourne Legacy, and TV series including Heartland and Hell on Wheels.
Calgary's creative industries sector is equally vibrant, housing some of Canada’s leading performing and visual arts organizations including Alberta Ballet, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Calgary Opera, and a diverse host of theatrical production companies.
Calgary’s culture is marked by its frontier heritage and history of innovation. This tradition is seen today in the work done by Calgary’s culture makers as they inspire the concept of community and artistic pride throughout the city. Whether it is through unique festivals like the High Performance Rodeo, the 100th anniversary of the Theatre Junction GRAND, Calgary's designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2012, the community outreach programs of various artist-run centres, or the volunteer participation of the business community, Calgary’s present day traditional arts and culture sector reflects the city’s history of spirited enterprise.
Learn more about the film & TV industry in Calgary
Learn more about creative industries in Calgary
