Teh Vancouver film industry continued to shine bright in 2025, and star director Osgood Perkins recently sang its praises to one of the industry’s biggest media outlets.
Perkins and producer Chris ferguson were at the Whistler Film festival in early december for a conversation with George Stroumboulopoulos about the craft of psychological thrillers and the creative process.
Ahead of the masterclass session, the filmmaking duo had a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter (THR),where they shared their love of Vancouver.
“Vancouver is real sweet,” said Perkins in THR. “It’s a very vibrant, liberal, expansive artistic city that cares about its people.”
George Stroumboulopoulos, Osgood Perkins, and Chris Ferguson at the Whistler Film festival.
Perkins is the director of such hit films as Longlegs, Keeper, and The Monkey.
All three films were shot in vancouver, adding to a busy production schedule across the region alongside films like Eternity and The Social Reckoning, and TV shows like Malcolm in the Middle and The Reluctant Traveller.
He and Ferguson are also investors of Vancouver’s The Park Theater alongside other acclaimed filmmakers and actors like Sean Baker, Samantha Quan, and Finn Wolfhard.
Vancouver’s Film Industry: A Production Hub, But Not Yet a Creative Powerhouse, Says Producer
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Vancouver’s thriving film industry is often compared to Hollywood, but a recent interview with Vancouver-born producer Michael Ferguson reveals a nuanced viewpoint. While the city excels as a production location, it still lacks the robust ecosystem of production companies needed to truly compete with Los Angeles as a creative center.
Vancouver: Hollywood north’s Production Service Center
Vancouver has long been known as “Hollywood North” due to its favorable production costs, diverse locations, and skilled crew base. https://www.creativebc.com/ Many major film and television productions choose to film in Vancouver, contributing considerably to the local economy. Though, Ferguson, the producer behind films like Afflicted, Little Fish, and Risky Animals, argues that Vancouver primarily functions as a service center for productions originating elsewhere.
“For the most part, Vancouver is a production town where a producer in L.A. has a project, and they want to get it done, and they hire a line producer in vancouver, and those people go and make sure the project gets made,” Ferguson explained in a recent interview with Daily Hive.
The Need for locally-Driven Production Companies
Ferguson’s key point centers on the difference between producing and servicing productions. Currently, the majority of projects filmed in Vancouver are initiated and controlled by companies based in Los Angeles or other major entertainment hubs.He believes Vancouver needs to foster the growth of its own production companies – businesses that originate, develop, and fully produce projects from conception to completion.
“For me to see Vancouver thriving, I would want to see more production companies up here that are genuinely producing projects,” he stated. This shift would not only create more opportunities for local creatives but also establish Vancouver as a genuine force in the film industry, rather than simply a convenient filming location.
Current State of Vancouver’s Film Industry (December 2023)
As of late 2023, Vancouver continues to experience a boom in film and television production. However,concerns remain about the sustainability of this model and the need to support local talent.Creative BC, the provincial agency responsible for supporting the creative industries, is actively working to address these issues through various initiatives. https://www.creativebc.com/ These include funding programs, skills development training, and efforts to attract and retain talent.
Key Takeaways
* Vancouver is a major film production hub, often referred to as “Hollywood North.”
* The industry is largely driven by productions originating outside of Vancouver, primarily from Los Angeles.
* Producer Michael Ferguson believes Vancouver needs more locally-owned production companies to become a true creative center.
* Creative BC is working to support the growth of the local film industry through funding and development programs.
Looking ahead
The future of Vancouver’s film industry hinges on its ability to transition from a production service center to a hub of original content creation. Investing in local production companies, fostering creative talent, and developing unique Canadian stories will be crucial steps in achieving this goal. While Vancouver may not replace Hollywood anytime soon, it has the potential to carve out a distinct and thriving identity within the global film landscape.