While the Vancouver-shot Deadpool smashed box office records on its opening weekend, Vancouver also broke records by achieving its best year in film and TV productions in 2015.

Although over the past few years, Vancouver has faced challenges such as increased tax-credit competition from other jurisdictions and a high Canadian dollar, it is reasserting its position as one of North America's busiest film centres.

The City of Vancouver reported today (February 19) a 40 percent upswing in film activity from 2014 to 2015, rising from 235 productions in 2014 to 353 productions in 2015, with a total of 1,518 days of filming in the city in 2015.

That substantial boost included 10 more feature films in 2015 (for a total of 26) than in 2014. Of course, the most famous of them at the moment is the aforementioned Deadpool, starring Vancouver's Ryan Reynolds, which spent over $40 million locally during its 58 days of filming. It also employed 2,000 local cast and crew who earned over $19 million in wages.

The City earned $710,000 from film and street-use permits. Over $143 million was paid in wages to local residents employed on film productions in 2015.

TV advertisement productions also set a new record, with 158 TV commercials shot in 2015.

TV productions shot over 309 episodes in the city in 2015. Warner Bros. led the pack, shooting seven productions in 2015, including Arrow, The Flash, Supernatural, iZombie, Lucifer, The 100, and DC's Legends of Tomorrow; spending over 70 million dollars on labour, suppliers, and locations; and employing over 2,4000 local cast and crew.

The upward trend has continued into this year as already film permits last month were up 30 percent from the previous year.

The City of Vancouver is collaborating with the local film industry to support location sustainability and to maintain Vancouver's position as the third largest film production centre in North America.

“Vancouver is projected to lead the country in economic growth for another five years, and high-growth, knowledge-based industries like DE&I [Digital Entertainment and Interactive sector] are a critical part of that success," Vancouver Economic Commission CEO Ian McKay stated in a news release. "We will continue to reach out to DE&I companies in Hollywood, London, Europe, and China to promote Vancouver as the top destination for servicing the global industry and creating innovative IP.”