Jess Blackwell –
Toronto residents are probably familiar with the tell-tale signs of a film shoot: roads and venues closed to the public, industrial lights and equipment scattered about, and trucks, vans and trailers lining the streets.
It’s no secret that Toronto is a film industry hotspot, attracting domestic and international filmmakers with its abundance of studio space, generous tax credits and affordable labour. In 2021 alone, the city achieved $2.5 billion in direct spending on film, television and digital media projects and hosted 1,468 productions, thanks in large part to increased investment in resources such as animation, post-production and visual effects facilities.
Indeed, the film and TV industry has become one of Toronto’s major economic pillars, with approximately 35,000 film and TV workers living within the city.
Many of these people earn their living via major productions such as The Boys, Umbrella Academy and The Handmaid’s Tale — projects that bring a lot of money and attention to the city’s film industry. But there’s much more to Toronto’s filmmaking scene than the multi-million-dollar projects we’re used to hearing about.
Beyond the dazzling investments and A-list names of big-budget movies and TV series lies a bustling indie scene. This is where most filmmakers and actors get their start and where established artists turn to make their passion projects. It’s where low-budget features, thought-provoking shorts and experimental portfolio pieces are made.
Toronto’s indie scene gives filmmakers with diverse backgrounds, identities and lived experiences an outlet for creating and sharing unique and entertaining stories while maintaining creative control over their work.
Unfortunately, Canada’s mainstream filmmaking scene continues to be home to striking inequities. For example, a report released at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival found that men held approximately 84% of directing roles and 77% of key creative positions in the Canadian film industry between 2010 and 2020.
To create a more diverse and equitable film and TV industry, we need to do more to empower emerging filmmakers and give them a competitive edge.
Fortunately, there are many ways to support local artists. Beyond attending large festivals such as TIFF (which largely promote international projects) and donating to crowdfunding campaigns on sites like Indiegogo and GoFundMe, there are simple steps you can take to help Toronto’s indie community thrive.
Chris Kennedy, executive director of the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT), suggests supporting smaller film festivals and screenings. “If there’s a cinema nearby, community members should keep track of when they show local work and make a point to show up. Having a few extra people in the audience (especially new faces) is always encouraging for local filmmakers.” Purchasing tickets to locally made Canadian films also signals to distributors that there is a demand for these projects, which can lead to more support, funding and programming.
Similarly, Kennedy advised that “it’s key for audience members to seek out Canadian content on [online] streamers. Again, if you watch more Canadian content, the numbers will show more interest.” This can lead to increased funding and distribution deals for local works.
Finally, Kennedy recommends supporting non-profit and charitable film organizations directly through donations: “Since [these organizations] are structured non-commercially, a higher level of money generated goes back in the service of the local filmmaking community than our commercial counterparts. Everything from production centres like LIFT to cinemas like [the] Revue to festivals like ImagineNative would benefit from the support of the larger community.”
Non-monetary ways of supporting filmmakers include engaging with them on social media, following their accounts and projects, liking their posts and leaving supportive comments. And don’t forget to share information about screenings and funding opportunities with friends and family.
If you own a business, you can also donate products or services to help emerging filmmakers get their projects off the ground. For example, restaurant and cafe owners can donate snacks to the production team.
Finally, emotional support can go a long way. When you meet folks in the film industry, offer them support and encouragement. An artist’s path is challenging, and a supportive community attitude can make a big difference!
