Hollywood North Rising: How Economic and Environmental Factors Could Drive More U.S. Productions to B.C.

If the U.S. moves forward with a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, the effects on American film productions choosing to shoot in British Columbia would be mixed. While the tariff would not apply to goods purchased and used within Canada, it would impact materials, particularly lumber, imported into the U.S. for film-related construction. This distinction could influence production decisions in unexpected ways.

Minimal Direct Impact on B.C. Productions

For American productions filming entirely in B.C., the tariff would have little immediate effect on day-to-day operations. Since Canadian goods purchased and used within Canada would remain untaxed, productions could still benefit from lower costs associated with the Canadian dollar, local tax incentives, and a skilled workforce. Filmmakers looking to build sets or source materials for shoots within Canada would not face additional financial burdens due to the tariff.

Increased Costs for U.S.-Bound Productions

However, productions that require set construction or materials—especially lumber—shipped from Canada to the U.S. would face higher costs. This is particularly relevant for large-scale Hollywood productions that often construct sets in both Canada and the U.S. before moving principal photography between locations. The 25% tariff could make Canadian lumber and other materials significantly more expensive for productions that rely on cross-border supply chains.

Potential Shift in Production Planning

Faced with these higher costs, studios might rethink their strategies. Some productions might opt to keep more of their filming and set-building within B.C. to avoid tariff expenses. Others may seek alternative suppliers for materials within the U.S. or choose to film in locations where cross-border trade is less of a factor.

Conclusion

While a 25% tariff on Canadian goods would not directly impact productions based entirely in Vancouver, it could create challenges for projects relying on Canadian materials imported into the U.S. The tariff may ultimately encourage studios to either keep more work in Canada or seek alternative filming locations to minimize cost increases.

Chris Sturges, Business Development Director for

Suspiciously Convenient Productions Inc

Contact: chris@suspiciouslyconvenient.com

Tags: #HollywoodNorth #FilmIndustry #TradeWarImpact #VancouverFilm #CaliforniaFires #GlobalProductionShift