The State of Indie Filmmaking in Toronto: 2026 Industry Report
Toronto has always been known as Hollywood North. But for years, that title mostly applied to big-budget studio productions that parachuted in, spent money, and left. The indie film scene? It operated in the shadows, fueled by passion projects and credit cards.
That’s changing.
We surveyed 50 Toronto-based indie filmmakers, analyzed industry data, and talked to producers, crew, and rental houses to paint a picture of where independent production stands in our city right now. Here is what we found.
The Big Picture: Toronto Is Booming
Let’s start with the numbers that matter. Ontario’s film and television spending jumped 40 percent in 2024 to $2.6 billion, rebounding strongly from the post-strike slowdown . That’s not just studio work. The recovery was driven by returning Netflix and Amazon series, a record year for commercials, and a surge in independent production.
Toronto alone accounts for over 35,000 skilled crew members represented by unions like IATSE 873 and NABET 700-M UNIFOR . That’s a lot of people who need to work. And they’re not all on studio sets. Many of them cut their teeth on indie shorts, music videos, and low-budget features.
The city now boasts over 1.5 million square feet of soundstage space, including major expansions at Pinewood Toronto Studios and the new Basin Media Hub . More stages mean more productions. More productions mean more opportunities for indie crews to build experience and connections.
What Indie Filmmakers Are Actually Spending
We asked 25 Toronto-based indie producers to share their budget breakdowns from recent projects. The results paint a clear picture.
| Budget Range | Percentage of Projects | Typical Project Type |
|---|---|---|
| Under $5,000 | 28% | Student films, micro-budget shorts, proof-of-concept reels |
| $5,000 – $20,000 | 44% | Professional short films, festival entries, music videos |
| $20,000 – $50,000 | 18% | High-end shorts, low-budget features (shot in under 10 days) |
| $50,000+ | 10% | Ultra-low-budget features, commercial work funding passion projects |
The average short film budget among our respondents was $14,500. The median was $11,200. Most projects ran over budget by an average of 12 percent, which tracks with the industry standard recommendation to budget a 10-15 percent contingency
Where the Money Goes
We asked producers to break down their spending by category. Here is the average allocation across all projects:
| Category | Percentage of Budget | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Rentals | 28% | Camera, lighting, grip, sound |
| Crew | 32% | Including deferred payments and profit shares |
| Locations & Permits | 12% | Including Toronto film office fees |
| Post-Production | 15% | Editing, sound, color, music |
| Insurance | 5% | Short-term production policies |
| Craft Services & Transport | 5% | Keeping crew fed and moving |
| Contingency | 3% | Most don’t budget enough here |
The equipment rental number stands out. At 28 percent of the average budget, gear is usually the second biggest expense after crew. And yet, many producers told us they spend hours piecing together rentals from multiple houses to save a few hundred dollars. Time that could have been spent on casting, shot design, or simply resting before a long shoot.
Crew Rates: What People Actually Get Paid
This is the question everyone wants answered and nobody wants to ask. What should you pay your crew in Toronto?
Based on our survey, here are the typical daily rates for indie productions (non-union, under $50K budget):
| Role | Low End | Average | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director of Photography | $400 | $550 | $800 |
| 1st Assistant Camera | $250 | $325 | $450 |
| Gaffer | $300 | $375 | $500 |
| Key Grip | $300 | $375 | $500 |
| Sound Mixer | $300 | $350 | $450 |
| Production Assistant | $150 | $175 | $225 |
| Editor (post) | $300 | $400 | $600 |
A few notes on these numbers. First, they’re for experienced crew working on indie projects. Students and beginners work for less. Top-tier commercial crew charge more. Second, many indie productions offer deferred payment or profit share to stretch budgets. About 40 percent of our respondents used some form deferred compensation for at least one key role .
Third, these rates are still below union minimums. IATSE 873 rates for commercial work start higher. But for indie projects operating outside the union structure, these numbers reflect current reality.
The Tax Credit Advantage
Here’s something many Toronto filmmakers don’t fully understand: you may qualify for money back after your shoot.
Ontario offers a 21.5 percent refundable tax credit on qualifying production costs through the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit (OPSTC). For Canadian-controlled productions, the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit (OFTTC) offers 35 percent on qualifying labor .
There’s also the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects (OCASE) Tax Credit, an additional 18 percent on qualifying labor for digital assets and VFX . If your project has significant post work, this matters.
The catch? You need to spend the money first, then claim the credit later. It’s not financing, it’s a rebate. But savvy producers build this into their financial model, treating it as revenue that arrives 6-18 months after production wraps .
The Permit Process: Faster Than You Think
Toronto’s Film Office has quietly become one of the most efficient in North America. Standard permits for street closures or parking are typically turned around in 48 to 72 hours . That’s faster than many smaller cities.
The city logged over 1,500 film locations in the last year. Daily permit fees generally stay under $500 CAD for large productions, not including police and parking costs .
The key is planning. Complex requests involving major street closures or significant police presence need 5 to 10 business days. But for most indie shoots using parks, sidewalks, or private property with permission, the process is straightforward.
The Challenge: Rising Costs and Stagnant Budgets
It’s not all good news. Toronto’s cost of living is 34 percent higher than the Canadian average . Housing pressure affects crew just like everyone else. Some experienced technicians are leaving the city for more affordable markets.
At the same time, indie film budgets haven’t kept pace with inflation. The average short film budget in our survey was up only 6 percent from 2019, while equipment and crew costs have risen 15-20 percent.
This squeeze forces tough choices. Shorter shoots. Smaller crews. More reliance on favors and deferred payments. It’s not sustainable forever.
What’s Next: TIFF’s New Market
Here’s something to watch. TIFF is launching a formal film market in 2026, backed by eight-figure government investment . The goal is to challenge the American Film Market’s dominance and make Toronto a year-round destination for film business.
For indie filmmakers, this means more buyers, more distributors, and more industry attention on Toronto projects. It also means more competition. As the city grows as a market hub, the bar for indie projects will rise.
The Skyrex Data: What We See from the Rental Side
We’ve been tracking our own numbers too. As a Toronto rental house focused exclusively on indie filmmakers, we have a unique view of the market.
In the past year, we’ve seen:
- A 40 percent increase in inquiries from first-time feature directors
- Average rental length growing from 2.1 days to 2.8 days per booking
- More projects budgeting for prep days (up 25 percent year over year)
- Growing demand for both ARRI Alexa Mini and RED Komodo X, split roughly 60/40 in favor of ARRI
Our clients tell us the same thing across the board: they want simplicity. They don’t want to manage four rental invoices and pray everything shows up. They want one kit, one contact, one rate. That’s why we built our package the way we did.
Final Thoughts
Toronto’s indie film scene is healthy, growing, and more professional than ever. Budgets are still tight, but the infrastructure is here. The crew talent is here. The incentives are here.
The filmmakers who succeed in this environment aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones who plan meticulously, budget realistically, and use their resources wisely.
If you’re planning a Toronto shoot and want to talk through your gear needs, reach out. We’ve helped dozens of filmmakers build realistic budgets and find the right package for their project. We’d love to help you too.
By
Gokan Akyaz
Creative Director
