In Montreal, one of only two Amazon Games studios outside the United States, Canadian creative talent is shaping the future of gaming. On August 27th, the studio revealed their first major title, March of Giants - a project passionately developed since the studio's inception four years ago. With an impressive 99% of their 100+ person team comprising local talent, the studio exemplifies Montreal's position as a world-class gaming hub and demonstrates how Amazon is helping transform Canada's creative landscape, as revealed in our inaugural Culture and Creative Industries Impact Report.
Canadian Creators Reaching Global Audiences
Through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), we're enabling Canadian authors to reach readers far beyond our borders. Authors like Shannon Mayer exemplify these opportunities. Writing from her farm on the southwestern tip of Canada, she's become a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Her urban fantasy and paranormal series, including the popular "Rylee Adamson" and "Forty Proof" series, have captivated readers globally. Canadian KDP authors have built devoted readerships globally, with the top five countries reached being the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and Mexico.Through Amazon Music's Breakthrough program, we provide customized, long-term support across every aspect of artists' careers, from dedicated global marketing campaigns to exclusive Amazon Music Original tracks and premium playlist positioning.
Strengthening Canada's Creative Economy
Our investment in Canadian creative industries creates ripple effects throughout the local economy. We've created significant productions like Upload Season 2, which engaged more than 600 local Canadian businesses and employed a 1,500-person crew, with 95% of crew members and over 70% of the cast being Canadian. These productions engage hundreds of local professionals - from crews and filmmakers to scriptwriters, technicians, actors, and extras - creating meaningful employment opportunities across diverse filming locations through Canada, from Vancouver's Stanley Park Pavilion to the University of British Columbia.Upload Season 2 demonstrates this impact perfectly. In Vancouver alone, we engaged over 600 local Canadian businesses during production. With a 1,500-person crew, 95% were Canadian, as were over 70% of the cast. The production showcased Vancouver's diverse locations, from Stanley Park Pavilion to the University of British Columbia, generating immediate economic benefits while highlighting British Columbia's production capabilities to a global audience.
Photo by Courtesy of Prime- Making Culture More Accessible
In a country spanning six time zones, digital services play a crucial role in democratizing access to culture. From Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, Amazon's services are helping overcome the traditional challenges of Canada's vast geography. Through Prime Video, Kindle, Audible, and Amazon Music, we're ensuring that Canadians can access, create, and share cultural content regardless of their location. This digital transformation is particularly meaningful in remote and rural communities, where physical access to bookstores, theaters, or music venues might be limited, helping ensure that all Canadians can participate in our rich cultural landscape.
Looking Ahead
Our commitment to local culture and creative industries goes beyond content production. It's about creating sustainable creative opportunities, generating economic growth, and showcasing Canadian culture globally. As we continue to innovate and expand opportunities for creators and audiences alike, we remain committed to our mission: making it easier for stories to find their audiences, wherever they may be.
Read the full Culture and Creative Industries Impact Report to learn more about how we're helping transform creative industries worldwide.
