Written by new-contact on Jun 10, 2014. Posted in On Location

Calgary confirms site for Alberta film studio

Authorities in Calgary, Alberta, have confirmed the site for the province’s first purpose-built film studio. The Calgary Film Centre will be built in the east of the city and could help Alberta attract more high-profile productions like crime series Fargo and recent period drama Klondike.

First announced in February, the CAD23 million Calgary Film Centre will offer 500,000 square feet of stage space, as well as workshop and office space when it opens in late 2015.

“The construction of a film studio in Calgary is critical to maintaining and growing our film, television and digital media industry,” said Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary: “It is a great project for the city and I congratulate my colleagues at Calgary Economic Development on their tenacity in seeing this through.”

Added Luke Azevedo of Calgary Economic Development: “The film, television and creative industries have been firmly established as an important part of the economic landscape in Alberta.

“Today’s land announcement takes us one big step closer towards ensuring the continued success, viability and business attraction of Alberta's screen-based production sector.”

Calgary is a popular filming location and regularly attracts US productions. Period miniseries Klondike modified an existing set at the CL Ranch & Back Lot to create the remote Dawson City in northern Yukon.

The TV miniseries adaptation of the Coen Brothers’ Oscar-winning film Fargo doubled Calgary for the northern US and used warehouse space for interior set builds. Christopher Nolan’s upcoming Interstellar has been among the recent features to shoot locally.

Regional production support is available through the Alberta Media Fund.

To find out more about Klondike in Calgary click here.

(Klondike photos: Discovery Communications)