Vancouver Expands Creative Technology Sector With Government and Industry Support

Vancouver's visual effects and animation sector continues to expand with more than 100 companies operating in the region. The growth stems from coordinated efforts among studios, local government, and federal programs that focus on talent development and financial support.

An A24 horror film titled Backrooms, directed by 19-year-old Kane Parsons, is scheduled for release this week after production on a 30,000-square-foot set in Vancouver. Parsons relocated from Petaluma, California, to complete the project. Disney Animation maintains a 400-person team in Vancouver finishing the November release Hexed and beginning work on Frozen 3.

The studio uses cloud technology to coordinate with its Burbank headquarters.

President Michelle Grady said the sector developed over twenty years through joint industry and government work to build talent and competitive conditions. She noted that the next season of HBO's The Last of Us is currently filming in the city. She described the environment as an ecosystem where companies work together to raise skill levels.

Nick Cannon, Disney Animation's senior vice president of production and technology, said the company receives immigration assistance and financial support that allows projects to move at production speed. Los Angeles production activity has declined despite an increase in state tax incentives to $750 million last summer.

Vancouver's combination of government programs and established training pipelines continues to draw projects northward.