Ontario Premier Doug Ford leads a group of dignitaries to their seats ahead of an announcement at Pinewood Toronto Studios announcing a deal with Amazon MGM Studios, in Toronto, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
January 17, 2024 - 11:42 AM
Amazon MGM Studios says it’s setting up a production hub in Toronto as part of a multi-year plan to expand its Canadian footprint.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Mayor Olivia Chow were among those to attend a ribbon-cutting event at Pinewood Studios along the city's waterfront.
The multi-year agreement involves plans by the U.S. film and television production company to take over five new state-of-the-art sound stages and office space, totalling nearly 15,000 square metres.
Paul Golding, chairman of Pinewood Toronto Studios, says the deal "will generate a huge number of additional jobs" but he couldn't say how many.
To date, Amazon MGM Studios says it has produced and commissioned more than 40 series and films shot in Canada, including Prime Video's "The Boys," "Gen V," "Reacher" and "The Handmaid's Tale." It wouldn't reveal what it expects to shoot at Pinewood.
The announcement comes amid Ottawa's efforts to update the Broadcasting Act to require digital platforms including Prime Video to make and promote Canadian content.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 17, 2024.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2024