Manitoba’s screen industry just added a new production destination to its map. On Friday, Juliette Hagopian and her team cut the ribbon on Jette Studios, a brand-new 25,200-square-foot soundstage in the town of Niverville—located just 30 minutes south of Winnipeg.

Designed with 40-foot ceilings and built from the ground up in under six months, the purpose-built facility signals a strategic expansion of rural filming options in a province that pulled in nearly $435 million in production activity last year alone.

“This is a big deal for Manitoba and the international market,” said Hagopian, whose production company Julijette Inc. has become a key player in the region. “Now that the studio is open, I’m excited to finally share it with the industry.”

The launch was attended by filmmakers, producers, elected officials, and business leaders—all eager to see what the state-of-the-art space could unlock for Manitoba’s growing production scene. With limited stage availability in Winnipeg during peak seasons, Jette Studios provides much-needed relief—and a powerful incentive boost. Productions that film in rural Manitoba qualify for an extra 5% bump on the province’s already aggressive tax credit, which can reach up to 65% on eligible labor when hiring local crew.

“This helps alleviate pressure on urban soundstages and opens up new opportunities in the region,” said Kenny Boyce, Manager of Film and Special Events for the City of Winnipeg. “It’s the kind of investment that multiplies—benefiting trades, hospitality, and local service vendors.”

Jette Studios’ first phase is just the beginning. Hagopian hinted at future plans that could include additional stages, virtual production capabilities, and post-production infrastructure. But for now, the priority is locking in bookings and growing organically. “Productions are what power this place,” she said. “We build as they come.”

To ensure the region is ready for that growth, Niverville has formed a workforce task group in partnership with the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, local schools, and industry stakeholders. The initiative is exploring career pathways that could bring high school students directly into skilled trades and film jobs—from carpentry and electrical to catering and crew.

Chuck Davidson, President of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, summed it up: “This kind of development creates momentum. Jette Studios is more than a building—it’s a platform for what’s next in Canadian production.”

Whether it’s doubling for Shetland or launching the next international series, one thing is clear: Niverville is officially open for production.