And the winner is… the Canadian film, television and video post-production industry

Canadians, individually or as a team, have been winning Oscars since their inception in the late 1920s. In fact, Toronto-born Mary Pickford was the very first winner of “best actress in a leading role,” Canada’s first of 94 Oscars. While the spotlight shines brightest on the stars, most of Canada’s Oscars have been won for behind-the-scenes work rather than on screen.

Record high operating revenue for the film, television and video post-production industry

While Canada only bagged one Oscar in 2023, our homegrown film, television and video post-production industry reported earning a record high $2.8 billion in operating revenue in 2023. This was up by just over one-third (+34.4%) from 2021, as increasing demand for content continued to bolster sales for the industry.

Robust sales growth stemmed largely from visual effects and animation services, which rose $714.0 million (+60.9%) from 2021, representing 89.0% of the increase in total industry sales in 2023.

Quebec, which has been the largest contributor to visual effects and animation services since 2019, comprised 56.0% of the national total ($1.1 billion) in 2023.

Quebec is Canada’s biggest player in the film, television and video post-production industry 

Quebec (52.1%) accounted for the largest share of national operating revenue in the film, television and video post-production industry among the provinces in 2023 and reported the largest increase from 2021 in dollar terms, up $380.2 million to $1.4 billion in 2023. 

Ontario had the second-largest increase in 2023, rising $167.7 million to $566.2 million, followed by British Columbia, up $159.5 million to $748.7 million.

Spotlight on workers within the industry

The motion picture and video industry group includes four distinct industries, each with a unique employment profile. 

For example, the overwhelming majority (95.8%) of Canadians working in the motion picture theatre industry held part-time positions in 2023, and most (85.0%) were aged 34 years and younger. This was the lone industry within the industry group in which women (51.4%) outnumbered men.

In 2023, two-thirds (67.1%) of people working in the film, television and video production industry were employed part time, with almost half (45.3%) being aged 34 years and younger.

Conversely, over half (55.1%) of the employees in the film, television and video post-production industry held full-time positions in 2023, and almost half (47.5%) were aged 34 years and younger. Almost two-thirds (65.3%) of those working in the industry were men, the highest share in the industry.

Those working in the film and video distribution industry were most likely to work full time (58.7%) in 2023, and just under two-thirds (65.1%) of the employees were aged 35 years and older.

Coming soon

New data from the film, television and film production industry will be coming to a screen near you on March 17, through the Daily.