Montreal’s Once Thriving Film Industry Faces Major Setbacks
Montreal, known for its bustling movie sets in the summer, is now experiencing a sharp decline in film and television production. Data from the Observatoire de la culture et des communications reveals a significant 11% drop, equivalent to $356 million, following a peak in 2022 and 2023.
Despite the absence of official figures for 2025, industry insiders are witnessing a concerning lack of recovery. President of the Association des réalisateurs et réalisatrices du Québec (ARRQ), Gabriel Pelletier, expresses dismay over the decline in French production this summer, citing a 30% decrease in director contracts compared to the previous year.
Renowned movie director and screenwriter Philippe Cormier highlights the challenges artists face, emphasizing the financial strain of extended waiting periods for project approvals without compensation. Security personnel such as Réjean Richard, who used to be involved in numerous productions annually, now find themselves with significantly fewer opportunities due to the decline in American productions.
Addressing the need for diversity in television productions, Cormier urges broadcasters to take more risks and collaborate with artists, producers, and the government to revitalize the industry. The impact of reduced funding is particularly felt in the production of fiction, comedy, and documentaries, which have become more costly to produce.
As the industry grapples with these challenges, Pelletier warns of the potential loss of Canadian culture on screen if foreign streamers fail to contribute to the local ecosystem.
