The Future of Filmmaking in BC: Hollywood North Reloaded?

By Chris Sturges | WBN News Langley | August 26th, 2025

British Columbia’s film industry has always lived on the edge of global shifts. Over the past three decades, Vancouver earned the nickname “Hollywood North” by offering world-class crews, competitive tax credits, and an unbeatable backdrop of city, ocean, and mountain. But in recent years, the province’s dominance has wavered under the weight of pandemic shutdowns, strikes, and a global race for production dollars.

Now, with major studios rethinking their production strategies, and with new infrastructure and incentives coming online, BC may be entering a defining new chapter.

Marvel Leaves Georgia: A Global Signal

Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported that Marvel Studios has officially abandoned Georgia, once a red-hot hub for North American filmmaking. Georgia’s incentive program helped generate billions in production spending, but rising labor, healthcare costs, and political instability pushed Marvel to relocate major projects to the United Kingdom.

The impact was swift. Georgia’s production spending fell nearly 50% in three years, shrinking from 412 projects in 2022 to just 245. Crew members have felt the pain. Script supervisor Janine Gosselin told the WSJ:

“You feel like a jilted lover. I haven’t had steady work since February of last year.”

For BC, this industry shock offers both a warning and an opportunity. If a juggernaut like Marvel can pack up and leave Georgia, the race to secure global production has no finish line.

BC’s Recovery: Tax Credits and International Outreach

After its own downturn—production volume in BC dropped nearly 30% between 2022 and 2023—the province is fighting back. The provincial government has boosted incentives, raising the Film Incentive BC (FIBC) to 40% and the Production Services Tax Credit (PSTC) to 36%, with bonuses for very large projects and regional shoots.

Finance Minister Brenda Bailey recently led a delegation to Los Angeles to court Hollywood executives directly. She framed BC as a reliable partner for the biggest productions:

“If we are competitive, combined with the amazing crews that we have, we can deliver some of the biggest productions available.”

This blend of financial incentive and political stability is giving BC a stronger hand as U.S. studios seek alternatives.

Bridge Studios Lake City: A Landmark Expansion

Infrastructure has always been the foundation of Vancouver’s success. The expansion of Bridge Studios Lake City in Burnaby signals BC’s intent to compete at the highest level.

18 purpose-built sound stages on an 18.6-acre site.
Sizes range from 8,500 sq. ft. to over 42,000 sq. ft., one of Western Canada’s largest.
When Lake City opens in summer 2025, Bridge Studios will operate 34 stages in total across its three campuses.
All facilities will be fossil-fuel free and fully powered by BC Hydro, aligning with the industry’s sustainability push.

Bridge Studios General Manager Ron Hrynuik called the expansion transformative:

“With 34 sound stages up and operating by the summer of 2025, the Vancouver region will be an undisputed leader for filming outside of Hollywood.”

Coupled with long-standing facilities like Canadian Motion Picture Park Studios (CMPP), which boasts 18 stages and extensive backlot space, the Lake City development puts BC among the global leaders in studio infrastructure.

Beyond Hollywood: New Alliances in Asia

With U.S. markets in flux, BC is broadening its horizons. Creative BC executives have been forging ties in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore, markets where streamers and broadcasters are expanding English-language production.

International producer Yoori Kwon explained why BC is attractive:

“If it’s English language, we can tend to have more partners like Canada… Canada was my first choice.”

Diversifying markets gives BC’s industry a hedge against U.S. strikes, political volatility, and tariff threats.

The Sustainability Edge

In addition to scale and skill, BC has embraced sustainability as a competitive advantage. Initiatives like Reel Green and new net-zero studios give the province credibility with both investors and environmentally conscious audiences. The Lake City complex being entirely fossil-fuel free is a signal that sustainability is becoming industry standard, not optional.

Conclusion: Hollywood North Reloaded

The lesson of Marvel leaving Georgia is simple: global film production is highly mobile. But for BC, the convergence of new incentives, expanded studios, skilled crews, sustainability leadership, and global partnerships positions the province as more than a backlot for American stories.

British Columbia is once again ready to compete not just as Hollywood North, but as a global production capital in its own right.

Chris Sturges, Film Consultant & Business Development Director for

Suspiciously Convenient Productions Inc

Contact: chris@suspiciouslyconvenient.com

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