Black Harbour — Your Gateway to Hollywood North

who we are — vancouver, b.c.

Full-service. Vertically integrated.

Black Harbour is a full-service production company providing international and domestic producers with a vertically integrated solution that combines deep production expertise with in-house technical infrastructure to successfully film in British Columbia.

Through direct ownership of our camera gear, longstanding vendor relationships, and experience servicing genre-defining feature films — we provide a turn-key solution for producers looking to make impactful projects that punch above their budget.

tax credit strategy

Fully versed in Canadian Federal and Provincial tax credit incentives in British Columbia.

production expertise

Direct access to a roster of high-caliber, reliable HODs and crew across all departments. Expert support navigating labor unions, casting, business affairs, locations, payroll, dailies, and every aspect of physical production.

pre-production support

Expert preparation of production schedules, budgets, and prep — robust, expert-led prep is the single most important factor in a successful shoot.

section 01

The B.C. advantage

British Columbia — affectionately known as Hollywood North — is more than a collection of scenic vistas; it is a mature, world-class production ecosystem. For decades, the region has served as the backbone for global blockbusters and high-concept television, offering a seamless "plug-and-play" environment for international studios and independent producers alike.

Hollywood North: unmatched infrastructure

01. The 45-minute city

Nearly every visual biome — glaciers, rainforests, mountains, coastal vistas, and rural farmlands — within a minimal travel radius.

02. Studio capacity

Over 2.5 million square feet of dedicated stage space across 100+ soundstages, including purpose-built facilities.

03. Virtual production

An early adopter of LED Volume Stages. Our long-standing relationships with studios like Lumostage and Peacemaker Studios get producers the best rates and technical support.

04. Logistics

An integrated network of specialized production transport, catering, and permit-friendly municipalities that streamline large-scale unit moves.

05. Post hub

A dense concentration of elite VFX, animation, and color houses — Sony Pictures Imageworks, ILM, Digital Domain — end-to-end service.

06. Gear & support

Immediate access to specialized grip, lighting, and camera rentals plus a massive inventory of local props and wardrobe.

bottom line: vancouver is plug-and-play. productions scale fast here, without emerging-market headaches.

seamless integration with los angeles

L.A. close. B.C. smart.

proximity

Direct 3-hour flights from LAX; 6-hour from JFK. Talent and key department heads can treat a Vancouver shoot like a regional commute — execs make a morning "mando" on set and are back in L.A. for dinner.

zero time-zone friction

Both hubs run on Pacific Time: real-time dailies reviews and instant decisions between set and studio — none of the lag of European shoots.

cross-border financial fluidity

Major US banks and payroll services (Cast & Crew, EP) have deeply integrated Canadian offices. Spend in CAD to leverage the exchange rate (0.73 FX) and tax credits while accounting stays identical to U.S. studio standards.

international mobility program

Individuals entering Canada for film and television do not require a formal work permit — the most efficient entry point for producers.

Direct flights between Vancouver and Los Angeles

section 02

The Black Harbour advantage

A specialized edge in the Hollywood North landscape, particularly for high-end genre filmmaking and international co-productions. Built on a 15-year history as an equipment provider turned full-service production partner — with exclusive access to world-class crew experienced servicing studios like NEON and A24.

budget optimization

Keep spend on screen.

a. Direct ownership

Unlike traditional service companies, we own our core inventory — we own the tools so you can control the budget. No third-party rental markups.

b. Eliminate friction

As both your production partner and equipment provider, we optimize gear packages for your creative and budgetary needs.

c. Bottom line

Lower overhead means more of your budget ends up on the screen, where it belongs.

your curated equipment partner

The boutique advantage

Our boutique equipment ecosystem is curated by active industry veterans who understand the needs of DOPs. Every kit is "set-ready" and configured with the shorthand only an active cinematographer and unit manager can provide.

a. Boutique precision

A hand-picked inventory of Arri, RED, and Sony Venice systems, paired with a comprehensive inventory of premium glass.

b. Cost-to-screen

Vertical integration delivers Tier 1 equipment packages at a price point that maximizes production budgets — for productions of every scale.

c. Flexibility

Our boutique structure lets us adjust camera packages on the fly, meeting evolving creative demands without hurting your bottom line.

when you rent from black harbour, you aren't just getting a camera — you're gaining a partner.

masters of genre & atmosphere

Built on breakout hits

Our leadership team and BTL crew have been the technical backbone for recent breakout horror hits. You bring the creative — we bring the expertise to make it happen.

credits include: Longlegs, The Monkey, Keeper, Buddy Games, The Backrooms, Freaks Underground

Crew, casting & post

Highest-caliber crew

Exclusive access to leading Line Producers, HODs, and union/non-union BTL crew — veterans of micro-budget indies up to $20M+ features.

World-class casting

Direct integration with Vancouver's premier Casting Directors — the same teams behind major studio tentpoles.

Deep talent pools

Instant access to over 8,000 UBCP/ACTRA professional performers — "A-List" depth without leaving the province.

Turn-key infrastructure

Ready-to-go production offices, pre-mapped location intelligence, and templated unit management — crewing to catering.

our post partners at Alter Ego have worked on oscar-winning features — world-class creative and technical services at every stage.

One city. Infinite worlds.

Vancouver is the world's most versatile cinematic "chameleon." Its unique architectural diversity and varied topography allow it to stand in for almost any global location — a visual passport without the cost of international travel. From the Sea to the Sky, we have it all within a short drive.

strategic scouting

Deep knowledge of Vancouver's "look-alike" capabilities, from urban corridors to rugged PNW wilderness — a curated look-book of pre-vetted, film-friendly sites before you land.

permitting & municipal mastery

A proven track record securing complex permits and managing high-level logistics for major projects like A24's The Backrooms.

on-the-ground problem solving

We identify logistical hurdles before they impact the budget — the creative vision is never compromised by the environment.

the b.c. advantage

The competitive tax-incentive landscape

British Columbia offers one of the most competitive and stable film incentive programs in North America. The PSTC is a refundable corporate income tax credit based on qualified B.C. labour expenditures — no Canadian content requirement, fully refundable, no cap.

2026: tax credit breakdown

For productions starting principal photography after December 31, 2024, the following rates apply to Accredited Qualified B.C. Labour Expenditure.

incentive category	rate	key eligibility
Provincial (BC-PSTC)	36%	Baseline credit for all eligible B.C. labour.
Canadian (PSTC)	16%	Credit on qualified Canadian labour expenditures for production companies (often foreign-owned) producing in Canada. Stackable on top of the BC-PSTC.
Regional Bonus	6%	Minimum 5 days & over 50% of B.C. principal photography outside the Vancouver area.
Distant Location	6%	Must qualify for Regional Bonus; minimum 1 day in a prescribed distant location.
DAVE Tax Credit	16%	Digital Animation, Visual Effects, and Post-Production activities.
Major Production	2%	Total accredited B.C. expenditures exceeding $200M.

Accessing tax credits via Black Harbour

01.

Strategic partnership

Black Harbour establishes the required local presence as the service company.

02.

Pre-certification

We manage eligibility, budgets, and all tax-credit paperwork. A CPA-issued Comfort Letter assures lenders and partners the production's tax equity is secure and bankable.

03.

Accreditation

Apply once principal photography begins and the budget is locked. Integrated services ensure maximum eligible spend.

04.

Tax filing

File the B.C. return with the CRA within 36 months of year-end. Production receives significant financial benefits through B.C.'s robust incentives.

the crew — yes, it's really us

The team

Gabriel "Medina" Zamora

producer & cinematographer

Vancouver-based cinematographer and producer with over 20 years in the Canadian entertainment industry. A member of IATSE 669 and the DGC, he brings strong union experience and a deep understanding of both the creative and technical sides of production.

Jonathan DuBois

producer & line producer

Over a decade in feature film production, planning and supervising projects from $1M to $20M — known for delivering complex productions on time and within budget. Started on the Disney Channel Games; never looked back.

Kate Kroll

producer & production manager

Award-winning Producer, Line Producer, and PM across features, documentaries, television, music videos, and immersive shorts. Collaborative approach, tax-credit fluency, and sharp logistical oversight from development through delivery.

Jacob Bailey

producer & location manager

DGC Location Manager rooted in the logistical frontlines of the B.C. film industry. Encyclopedic knowledge of Greater Vancouver's filming jurisdictions — he turns tight budgets into expansive on-screen worlds.