Modernized audiovisual coproduction treaties strengthen Canada's sector through global partnerships

TORONTO, Sept. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- Our audiovisual sector is an important part of our economy, our identity and our cultural sovereignty. In a rapidly changing world, it is more important than ever to build a stronger, more resilient screen industry at home while diversifying our partnerships abroad.

Canada has longstanding cultural and commercial ties with the United Kingdom and Spain, grounded in shared values and mutual economic benefits. To strengthen these ties, on the margins of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the Government of Canada signed modernized audiovisual coproduction treaties with the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Kingdom of Spain.

The treaties were signed by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages; the Right Honourable Ian Murray, Minister of State of Creative Industries, and Marta Serrano, Director General of the Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales, on behalf of their respective governments.

Once ratified, the updated audiovisual coproduction agreements will make it easier for Canadian producers to collaborate with British and Spanish producers, strengthening Canada's competitiveness in the global audiovisual industry in this increasingly digital world.

The signing ceremonies took place at TIFF: The Market, which the federal government has supported with a $23-million investment through Budget 2024. The Market helps Canadian filmmakers connect with international partners, strike deals and bring Canadian stories to audiences around the world.

Canada has one of the world's largest networks of audiovisual coproduction agreements, with nearly 60 partners and more than $500 million in coproduction activity every year. These modernized agreements build on the modernized coproduction treaty signed with the Republic of Korea in April.

Quotes

"Around the world, Canada's audiovisual sector is known for its world-class talent, innovation, and stories that showcase our values and diversity and resonate with millions of people. We're proud to see this shine at the Toronto International Film Festival. As we build a more resilient sector at home, ensuring it remains competitive in an increasingly digital world is key. These modernized coproduction agreements will make it easier for our filmmakers to collaborate with partners around the world, bring Canadian stories to new audiences, and strengthen our audiovisual industry as a pillar of our cultural and economic sovereignty."

—The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages

"The cultural, historical and economic bonds between Britain and Canada are already incredibly strong and, thanks to this new agreement, we will be able to forge even deeper ties. Both Britain and Canada have world-class film and TV industries, and I look forward to seeing what we create together following this landmark deal."

—The Right Honourable Ian Murray, Minister of State of Creative Industries

"We've come to Toronto at one of the best moments for the Spanish film and television industry, following our recent success at Cannes and with a very promising festival season ahead. Historically, our bilateral relations with Canada have been excellent, even more so over the past decade, with the implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). We believe this is the time to be ambitious and update the current bilateral film coproduction treaty from 1985. This new coproduction treaty will make it easier for Spanish and Canadian production companies to collaborate with real guarantees and access to public funds from both countries, within a modern and up-to-date legal framework. International audiovisual collaboration is a top priority for the Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA) backed by years of continuous work in this area. Spanish cinema is becoming increasingly international, as reflected by the strong representation at TIFF 2026, which has consolidated its growing international presence."

—Marta Serrano, Director General of the Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales

Quick Facts

The modernized coproduction treaty between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will replace the agreement signed in London in September 1975. In the last 10 years, Canada and the United Kingdom have collaborated on 98 coproductions (26 films and 72 television series) for combined budgets of approximately $629 million CAD. The United Kingdom is Canada's leading partner for television coproductions, and second for film coproductions.

The United Kingdom is a top performing market for Canadian cultural exports and a longstanding, trusted partner for Canadian creative industries. It is Canada's third-largest creative export market and largest in Europe, with cultural exports reaching $931 million in 2023, nearly 30 percent of which came from film and video exports. Cultural exports have increased by 85 percent since 2017, reinforcing the strength and growing importance of the Canada–UK trade relationship.

The modernized coproduction treaty between the Government of Canada and the Kingdom of Spain will replace the agreement signed in January 1985. Since that date, Canada and Spain have collaborated on 16 coproductions (11 films and 5 television series) representing nearly $123 million CAD in total budgets.

Spain is a valued and reliable partner for the Canadian creative industries, particularly for film and video, which account for a quarter of Canada's cultural exports to the market. Canada's overall cultural exports to Spain have grown by 35 percent since 2017, underscoring the strength of the bilateral trade relationship and highlighting Spain's increasing importance as a partner.

Canada has agreements with 59 partners and has signed 10 modernized treaties between 2016 and 2024. Between 2015 and 2025, Canada participated in 508 audiovisual treaty coproductions with all partners, which yielded total combined budgets of approximately $3.5 billion. A complete list of Canada's coproduction treaties is available on Telefilm Canada's website.

In Canada, coproduction treaties are made public once they have entered into force, which occurs after both countries have ratified the treaty. Canada tables its treaties in the House of Commons for 21 sitting days prior to ratification.

In April, Canada signed a modernized audiovisual coproduction treaty with the Republic of Korea to replace the memorandum of understanding on television coproduction, signed in 1995.

Associated Links

Audiovisual treaty coproduction
Telefilm Canada: Coproductions 
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
Canada and Republic of Korea sign modernized audiovisual coproduction treaty

SOURCE Canadian Heritage