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EDMONTON — Alberta is positioning itself as a growing global filming destination, with provincial officials pointing to popular streaming productions and new research linking screen content to increased tourism interest.
The province says its landscapes have recently been featured in major productions, including the Netflix romantic comedy series Can This Love Be Translated?, which showcases Alberta’s mountain scenery, and the teen drama My Life with the Walter Boys, filmed in part in the province’s foothills and rural communities.
The latter series, based on a popular novel, follows a New York teenager adjusting to life on a ranch in rural Colorado, with Alberta locations doubling for the American setting. The production has drawn attention for its use of sweeping prairie landscapes and small-town backdrops, contributing to the province’s growing on-screen profile.
Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko said film and television projects are helping introduce Alberta to international audiences and encouraging travel to the province.
New data released by Netflix suggests viewers exposed to Canadian content on the platform are twice as likely to identify Canada as their top travel destination, highlighting the growing influence of screen-based tourism.
Officials say that trend presents a significant opportunity for Alberta, where agencies such as Travel Alberta are promoting filming locations and developing travel itineraries tied to productions shot in the province.
Arts, Culture and Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir said Alberta’s combination of experienced crews and diverse landscapes continues to attract production companies, while supporting local talent and businesses.
The province says film and television production generated about $1.25 billion in economic activity in 2023 and supported more than 9,000 jobs. Since 2020, more than 380 productions have been supported, with spending exceeding $1.6 billion and contributing roughly $933 million to provincial GDP.
Officials add that more than 60 per cent of projects are filmed or planned in smaller communities, spreading economic benefits beyond major urban centres. Rural productions alone have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in local spending in recent years.
Industry representatives say Alberta offers a competitive mix of scenery, infrastructure and workforce, helping position the province as a key player in Canada’s growing film and television sector.
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