Item - 2025.EC24.4

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1. Deferred consideration of this item until such time as the staff report on 2025-2030 strategic priorities for the Toronto Film Office is brought forward to the Economic and Community Development Committee, by the second quarter of 2026.

At its meeting on September 15, 2025, Film, Television and Digital Media Advisory Board considered Item FB8.1 and made recommendations to the Economic and Community Development Committee.

 
Summary from the report (September 15, 2025) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture:
 
The film and television industry is a key economic and cultural driver, producing an annual direct spend as high as $2.6 billion and meaningfully contributing to Toronto's cultural vibrancy. As the Economic Development and Culture Division develops a five-year Film Strategy in alignment with the priorities identified in both Sidewalks to Skylines: An Action Plan for Toronto's Economy and Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto, it retained the services of Olsberg SPI Ltd., to ensure an informed approach based on the current industry and economic landscape. This report includes their key findings, based on comprehensive research, an analysis of the current state of film production in Toronto, and extensive engagement – including 7 roundtables with 43 stakeholders, 25 one-on-one consultations with senior executives, and a sector-wide survey that reached 200 industry professionals.

The City acknowledges receipt of Olsberg SPI Ltd.'s report and the significant amount of research and insight from subject matter experts and industry leaders reflected in the report. This report was commissioned in order to inform Toronto's Film Strategy. The report is included as Attachment 1.

Marguerite Pigott, Film Commissioner and Director of Entertainment Industries, Economic Development and Culture Division, City of Toronto will give a presentation on Film Strategy Recommendations.

The presentation will cover recommendations to support Toronto’s Film Sector from Toronto’s Screen Future – A Strategic Framework for Continued Growth 2025-2030, for discussion by the Film Board.