Canada Summer Jobs - Intern, Research Support Officer (Film Commission) (Calgary)
Calgary Economic Development
Job Description
Calgary Economic Development (CED) is an opportunity-maker, helping to spark and fuel Calgary’s growth. Our job is to connect people with resources that can help them grow their careers or businesses, thrive in new locations or markets, and feel at home in our community. We offer a wealth of information to help everyone succeed and we tirelessly promote Calgary, in Canada and around the world. We are exhilarated about our role in shaping and sharing Calgary’s story as the Blue Sky City.
Job Summary
The Film Commission Intern will support the Calgary Film Commission's efforts to attract film, television, and digital media production to Southern Alberta. This role combines market research, digital asset management, and competitive intelligence work to strengthen Calgary's position as a competitive production destination. The intern will gain hands-on experience in film industry business development, digital content organization, and creative industries economic development.
This is a 8-week Term.
Tasks & Responsibilities
Industry & Business Development Research
- Research active productions, studios, producers, and emerging content markets in North America and internationally
- Track film/TV industry trends, incentive programs, and competitive jurisdictions
- Update and maintain production pipeline tracking systems and CRM databases
- Analyze data to identify business development opportunities and market gaps
- Prepare research summaries, briefing notes, and competitive intelligence reports
Location Intelligence & Digital Asset Management
- Organize, tag, and categorize digital photo and video libraries of filming locations with use of AI and traditional methods
- Apply consistent metadata structures to improve searchability and location matching
- Conduct location-based research to support production inquiries and scouting requests
- Assist with preparing digital location packages and reference materials for producers
Producer Engagement & Project Support
- Assist with preparation for producer site visits or familiarization (FAM) tours as needed
- Support follow-up materials and internal project documentation
- Contribute to Creative Industries team coordination tasks as assigned
Your Growth Journey
- Digital Skills: Gain hands-on experience with digital asset management systems, database organization, metadata tagging, CRM platforms, data analysis tools, Microsoft Office Suite, and project management software.
- Communication Skills: Strengthen written and oral communication by preparing research summaries, briefing materials, and competitive intelligence reports, while learning to network and engage with industry professionals during meetings and events.
- Research & Analysis: Develop analytical capabilities through market intelligence gathering, tracking production trends, analyzing competitive positioning, and identifying business development opportunities—skills that are transferable across multiple industries.
Supervision Plan
The Film Commission Intern will report directly to and work day-to-day under the supervision of the Film Commissioner, who will provide guidance on a day-to-day basis. The Film Commissioner will provide the intern with a framework on how performance will be assessed and a list of expected deliverables for the internship term.
Progress on deliverables will be tracked and discussed through regular check-ins. At the midpoint and during the final week of the internship, the Film Commissioner will hold meetings with the intern to provide an assessment of overall performance on the work achieved to date.
Mentoring Plan
The Film Commission Intern will work closely with the Film Commissioner, who will act as the intern's main mentor for the duration of the internship. The Film Commissioner will train the intern on film industry business development practices, location marketing strategies, and production pipeline management.
In addition, the intern will work with the Creative Industries team and other Calgary Economic Development staff who will provide guidance and input that will ensure they are able to perform at a high level and deliver work that is of value to Calgary Economic Development and its stakeholders.
Field of Study
Currently enrolled in post-secondary education or recent graduate (Film Studies, Media, Creative Industries, Communications, Business, Marketing, Geography, or related field).
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong interest in film/television, media industries, or creative economies
- Excellent research, writing, and organizational skills
- Comfortable with digital tools, spreadsheets, and data management systems
- Detail-oriented, proactive, and able to work independently and collaboratively
Working Conditions
- Ability to work in-office at least 3 days per week
Canada Summer Job Eligibility
- Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom re