Screen International is profiling all the winners of the fourth Global Production Awards, which were held tonight (May 18) at the Mademoiselle Gray Barriere in Cannes.
Film Commission of the Year — City/Region
Winner: Toronto Film Office (Canada)
This award was destined for a film commission based in a city or region with an established international reputation for exemplary service to productions, coupled with being a top filming destination of choice.
Judges looked for evidence of a film commission’s efforts to attract filmmakers, its problem-solving approach, customer service, creativity, community contribution and why the location is proving so popular — think locations, incentives, studios and crew.
One judge described Toronto Film Office’s entry as a “strong, large-scale ecosystem submission”. For the judges, Toronto stood out on studio capacity, workforce depth, permitting speed and municipal support. “Its highly compelling submission was supported by clear scale and results,” said another judge.
With production spend exceeding $1.9bn (c$2.6bn), more than 40,000 jobs and over 3 million square feet of studio space, it demonstrated its position as a leading global screen hub.
“The 48-hour permitting standard and dedicated co-ordinator system are particularly strong, significantly improving efficiency and predictability for productions,” noted one judge. “These reflect long-term strategic planning and effective implementation. The 2026-30 screen strategy further shows an integrated approach, aligning infrastructure, workforce and policy to support sustained growth.
The judge added: “Infrastructure, scale, facilities and workforce placement demonstrate how the weight of film is woven incredibly into the city.”
Other nominees:
- Bristol Film Office, UK
- Dallas Film Commission, US
- Film Edinburgh, UK
- Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission, California, US
- Ottawa Film Office/Bureau du Cinéma d’Ottawa, Canada
- Savannah Regional Film Commission, Georgia, US
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