B.C.’S FILM AND TV INDUSTRY HOPING FOR A REBOUND IN 2026
Following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, labour disruptions in Hollywood, increased competition from streamers and an unstable economy, one of the biggest
industries in B.C. is hoping for a much-needed turnaround this year. B.C. Film Commissioner Marnie Gee at Creative BC describes 2025 as a “difficult year,” a trend that’s continued for the past few years.
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/01/15/bc-film-and-tv-industry-hoping-for-a-rebound-in-2026/
2026 BC FILM AND ANIMATION INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
Vancouver Film School’s head of acting Omari Newton stops by Your Morning Vancouver to chat about the BC film and animation industry outlook for 2026.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/video/2026/01/16/2026-bc-film-and-animation-industry-outlook/
ERIC MCCORMACK, ZACH LIPOVSKY TO RECEIVE AWARDS AT BC DIRECTORS
CONFERENCE
The Directors Guild of Canada – B.C. District Council will honor McCormack with its Spotlight Award, while Emmy-winning Lipovsky, who co-directed New Line’s sixth installment from the Final Destination horror franchise will longtime collaborator Adam Stein, will receive the Industry Builder Award.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/eric-mccormack-zach-lipovsky-awards-1236474035/
BC FILM INDUSTRY INSIDER SAYS CHALLENGES AHEAD, BUT REMAINS HOPEFUL ABOUT
2026
Todd Masters, an Emmy Award-winning makeup artist and the founder of MastersFX, says the B.C. film industry has challenges ahead, but he remains hopeful about 2026.
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/video/2026/01/15/b-c-film-industry-insider-says-challenges-ahead-but-remains-hopeful-about-2026/
RDN BOARD REJECTS BRIDGE FUNDING CALL FOR VANCOUVER ISLAND NORTH FILM COMMISSION
The Regional District of
Nanaimo board has reaffirmed it will not provide the Vancouver Island Film Commission (INfilm) funding of $50,000 for 2026. Paul Manly said INfilm has over the years facilitated $250,000 in economic activity that included productions such as Chesapeake Shores, Godzilla, Superman, Twilight, Sonic the Hedgehog and many more.
https://nanaimobulletin.com/2026/01/17/rdn-board-rejects-bridge-funding-call-for-vancouver-island-north-film-commission/
WHY HEATED RIVALRY ISN'T ELIGIBLE FOR THE
EMMYS
The Canadian series about a fledgling, steamy hockey romance has become a pop cultural obsession, leaving stars Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. in high demand.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/heated-rivalry-emmy-awards-eligibility-9.7038091
THE QUEST FOR ETHICAL PRACTICES IN DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION
Unpaid work, funding cutbacks, fragmented online audiences, mental exhaustion. Despite the documentary industry’s many challenges, solutions are emerging to make production more sustainable and humane.
https://cmf-fmc.ca/now-next/articles/the-quest-for-ethical-practices-in-documentary-production/
THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK AS A MOVIEMAKER IN 2026
So what’s going well in the North American film business? Plenty —
if you’re Canadian. We’re thrilled to welcome the Canadian cities of Edmonton and Quebec City to this year’s list. And while U.S. production is generally down, many American communities are scoring by doubling down on their commitment to film, especially in Texas and New Mexico.
https://www.moviemaker.com/best-places-to-live-and-work-as-a-moviemaker-2026/
BEN AFFLECK AND MATT DAMON GIVE NEW FILM’S 1,200 CREW MEMBERS BACK-END BONUSES
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon know that a collaborative on-set environment is key to motivating all those involved, which is why they brought back an old-school back-end bonus model for the 1,200 crew members working
on their new movie, The Rip.
https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/matt-damon-ben-affleck-the-rip-crew-bonus-b2900892.html
CAN A PERFORMER SUE OVER BEING LABELED “DIFFICULT”?
It’s a question that sounds dramatic until you sit with it for more than five minutes. Because if you’ve spent any real time in this industry, you know how much weight a single sentence can carry.
https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/2026/1/10/can-a-performer-sue-over-being-labeled-difficult-in-the-theatre-industry
WOULD YOU EVER WALK OUT OF A BROADWAY SHOW AT INTERMISSION?
We’re taught, implicitly and explicitly, that leaving early is rude. That it’s a personal failure. That if a show isn’t landing, it must be because we don’t get it yet. Stick around. Let it
wash over you. The second act will fix it. It always fixes it. Except when it doesn’t.
https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/2026/1/6/would-you-ever-walk-out-of-a-broadway-show-at-intermission
