Building Confidence in Edmonton

It seems the world is starting to take notice of Edmonton.

Our city’s inclusion on MovieMaker Magazine’s Top 25 list reflects something many in our creative community have known for some time: Edmonton is ready to be seen. This recognition speaks to a community that has been steadily building capacity, supporting one another, and putting in the work required to grow a confident creative city.

Recognition like this matters not because it flatters us, but because it reflects how the industry is beginning to see Edmonton. It opens doors, starts conversations, and reinforces that our city is capable of supporting ambitious creative work.

And this progress has not happened overnight. Momentum has been building for years through projects that are gaining both national and international attention. Elevation Program recipients like Dylan Pearce (Legend of Conquest), Cody Lightning (Smudge the Blades), Adam Scorgie (The Great Ones), and Kyle Edward Ball (Skinamarink, Land of Nod) are advancing bold work that reflects both the depth of local talent and the strength of the support systems around them. These projects are clear signals that Edmonton’s screen sector is gaining traction.

Edmonton’s digital media sector is seeing similar momentum. Crimson Herring Studios’ debut title Sovereign Syndicate has sold tens of thousands of copies worldwide, while Caldera Interactive is preparing to release The Rabbit Haul in summer 2026. Arcanaut Studios, led by former BioWare general manager, Casey Hudson, is also developing a new Star Wars game with Lucasfilm Games called Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic. These studios demonstrate that games developed in Edmonton can compete on the global stage.

Industry confidence is also reflected in the long-term commitment to bring Games Con Canada (GCC) to Edmonton, delivered in partnership with Explore Edmonton. The five-year agreement positions the city as a gathering place for game developers, publishers, and industry leaders from around the world.

Edmonton continues to surprise many people when they visit. In many ways, we remain a hidden gem. Within a short distance, the region offers a vibrant urban core, one of the largest urban river valleys in North America, expansive prairie landscapes, and industrial environments that support productions of many scales.

Equally important is the cultural richness of the city. Edmonton is home to one of the largest urban Indigenous populations in North America, with many nations and communities represented here. The creative capacity for Indigenous storytelling is significant, and supporting that work is essential to building a vibrant and inclusive creative economy.

But what truly defines Edmonton’s creative environment is the community itself. This city has a collaborative spirit that is difficult to replicate. Creators see each other as neighbours and collaborators, sharing knowledge, supporting one another’s projects, and showing up for the work being made around them. That spirit is one of the reasons people choose to stay here and continue building their careers.

At Edmonton Screen, our role is to help build on that momentum. We invest in local creators, strengthen training and workforce development, and connect our industry with opportunities that allow ideas to move from concept to production. Our goal is to ensure creators can build sustainable careers here while continuing to grow Edmonton’s reputation as a place where ambitious creative work can happen.

Edmonton has always been a place where people come together to build things. That spirit continues to shape our creative industries today. In many ways, it reflects a simple truth about this city: We Create Here.