Management/Production Company The Cartel Opens Canadian Office (Exclusive)

The Los Angeles-based indie producer plans to shoot half of its 2019 production slate, or up to 10 projects, in Winnipeg.

Management and production company The Cartel has opened an office in Canada.

The Los Angeles-based indie producer said Cartel Pictures Canada, a new division based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, will focus on producing, financing and developing TV movies, indie films and TV series north of the border. The Cartel partners Stan Spry and Eric Woods, and vp production Anthony Fankhauser, will run the new Canadian venture.

"Our goal is to be producing a minimum of 20 projects next year, with around eight to 10 in Winnipeg," Woods said in a statement as The Cartel takes advantage of tax credits and the low Canadian dollar to reduce production costs by shooting in Canada.

The Cartel in the last year has produced four TV movies for Hallmark in Winnipeg, including Christmas Connection, starring Brooke Burns and Tom Everett Scott, One Winter Weekend, Love in Design and Under the Autumn Moon. The company is producing two more Hallmark movies through Cartel Pictures Canada this year, and will be producing three indie films before the end of 2018.

"We are excited to ramp up our Canadian production slate, which will help supplement our U.S. and worldwide production business," Woods said as overall Hollywood location shooting in Canada soared last year on the strength of local tax breaks and currency gains.

"Aside from the incredible tax incentives and the strength of the U.S. dollar, there's an impressive talent and infrastructure in Canada that makes it a very attractive production destination," added co-CEO Spry.