Made-in-Alberta films are embracing rural backdrops 

According to statistics from the province, 61 per cent of Alberta-made productions were filmed outside the major centers of Calgary and Edmonton. 

Some of those Alberta-made productions have not only become global hit favourites, but they were also filmed close to Airdrie and the surrounding areas. While The Last of Us, which has now garnered multiple Golden Globe nominations, was not filmed in Airdrie, it nonetheless has an Airdrie connection. 

Netflix's highly anticipated coming-of-age series debuted last week on the streaming service, My Life With the Walter Boys, was filmed north of Airdrie, while the fifth season of the T.V. series, Fargo was filmed in Beiseker, Didsbury, as well as High River.

The province stated that Alberta's film and television industry continues to flourish and has become one of the premier destinations for both large and small productions. 

"For every dollar of government support towards a production, the industry generates four dollars of investment back into the province. Since January 2020, the Alberta Made Production Grant has supported 106 productions with a combined total of $6.8 million, generating $26.7 million in spending across the province," the province stated.

According to the province the 202 budget 2023 doubled the Alberta Made Screen Industries Program to help meet the growing demand for Alberta-made productions. Matt Jones, the provincial Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, said that the government wants to continue to provide opportunities for Albertans to showcase their talents and contribute to our vibrant film scene

“Along with the Film and Television Tax Credit, which supports larger productions, the Alberta Made Screen Industries Program is a vital investment in our province's creative ecosystem.”

In the July 2023 intake of the Alberta Made Production Grant, 20 productions successfully applied for a combined total of $1.3 million, which will generate an estimated economic impact of $4.8 million, create 62 jobs, and allow the hiring of 34 trainees to learn 37 positions in more than 9,000 training hours.

Since January 2020, the Alberta Made Screen Industries Program has awarded $12.7 million in its three streams to help grow the film and television industry in the province.

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