Film and TV production – an industry to watch in St. John's

With stunning landscapes, competitive production incentives and a highly skilled labour pool, the City of St. John’s and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) have a rapidly growing film and television industry that is attracting a remarkable degree of local, national and international producers.

The comedy television series Son of a Critch is filmed in the St. John's area

Wildly successful television shows, such as Hudson & Rex and Son of a Critch, have opened the door for more home-grown productions in NL. Recent international productions have included the Hallmark Channel's The Dog Lovers Guide to Dating that airs this month, and the highly anticipated Disney live-action film Peter Pan & Wendy.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation reported the strongest year for production activity since its inception, with the 2021-22 season generating $85 million in provincial revenue and employing more than 1,450 full-time cast and crew.

Some of the many feature films shot in Newfoundland and Labrador over the years

St. John’s will also be home to a new $10 million Film and Media Production Centre at College of the North Atlantic. The campus will prepare students for exciting and diverse careers in the film and television industry, with new program offerings in TV and Film Technical Production, Creation, Post-Production, Production Management and Visual Effects. Classes are scheduled to begin in September.

As part of this new project, the College has also signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Toronto Film School, the Canadian Film Centre and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, allowing local students to transfer credits with these partner institutions. This will allow College of the North Atlantic students to further their training with connections to some of the most recognizable and established programs in this country.

Several film festivals make St. John’s their home including the St. John's International Women's Film Festival, the second-longest running women's film festival in the world; the Nickel Independent Film Festival; and FOGFEST, Newfoundland and Labrador's own independent horror film festival.

For those interested in film and television shoots on City-owned streets and properties, the City of St. John’s provides information and guidelines on the application process in our Special Events Procedures document.

To learn why our local film and television industry is lights, camera and plenty of action, visit www.findnewfoundlandlabrador.com/invest/film-television.

Our knowledgeable staff are here to help

Opening a new business is a busy and exciting time, and requires careful planning. Here at the City of St. John's Business Information Centre, we know our way around town and we'd be happy to connect you to the programs, resources and contacts you need to help make it happen. Get in touch. We're here to help.

Our Business Startup Guide

The City of St. John's Business Startup Guide can help simplify the process of starting your new business. Visit our Publications page to download your complimentary copy.

What is Advantage St. John's?

With the mandate to market the many advantages of living, working, studying and investing in our city, Advantage St. John’s is tasked with amplifying economic growth and enhancing people and investment attraction opportunities for the City of St. John’s. Targeting a predominantly national and international audience, Advantage St. John’s helps bring focus to the broad appeal and positive attributes of our beautiful and historic city.