Brampton is capitalizing on its record-breaking year in the film and TV industry by enhancing its appeal to international filmmakers with ambitious new projects, including the potential introduction of a film festival and a dedicated production studio. Last year, the city served as a filming location for over 60 productions, including new seasons of “Star Trek: Stranger New Worlds” and the popular Amazon series “Reacher.”
The city’s Film & Television Office received 276 applications in 2023, approving 69 projects that contributed approximately $281,000 in revenue to the local economy—a record in the near-decade history of the office.
A new strategy report, which is headed to the city council for approval this week, outlines plans to further increase production activity. Proposed initiatives include hiring additional staff and enhancing marketing efforts, with a total estimated budget of $188,000 for these improvements.
Moreover, the city is exploring the feasibility of launching a film festival, projected to cost $380,000, and developing a municipal film production facility or creative hub. These developments are part of a broader strategy to transform Brampton from a film-friendly location into a world-class production hub that also focuses on nurturing domestic talent.
This strategy represents a proactive approach to adapting to the evolving needs of the film and television industry and securing Brampton’s position as a key player in the global entertainment market.
In addition to its recent successes, Brampton hosted 80 different film, television, and commercial projects in 2021, totaling over 550 days of filming, as the industry rebounded from COVID-19 lockdowns. Among these were productions like the Netflix film “13: The Musical,” Amazon’s “Gen V,” Kevin Hart’s “The Man from Toronto,” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Hulu/CTV.
Since 2018, the economic impact of TV and film productions in Brampton has exceeded $18 million, underscoring the significant contribution of this sector to the local economy.