Hundreds gathered outside the Regina headquarters of the Saskatchewan Communications Network on Wednesday. (Kevin O'Connor/CBC)

About 200 people rallied outside the offices of SCN in Regina on Wednesday to protest the government's decision last week to shut down the public broadcaster in order to save money.

Filmmaker Ian Toews, who won a Gemini award for a television series that aired on the Saskatchewan Communications Network, told CBC News he won't be able to continue working in the province if it closes the TV channel.

Toews's company, 291 Film Company Inc., relied on SCN to entice bigger funders for its projects, he said, but the station's imminent closure will mean it'll have to find support elsewhere.

"The truth is we're thinking about leaving," he said. "We're putting a plan together to see where we can go."

The provincial government announced earlier this month that it's winding SCN down to save $2.4 million this year and $5 million a year in subsequent years. Protesters were saying Wednesday it'll be a harsh blow to the local film and video industry. (Kevin O'Connor/CBC)

Filmmaker Cory Generoux, who was at the rally, said he is also thinking about leaving the province.

SCN, which was created in 1989 and started broadcasting a year later, will cease operations in May.

According to the province, closing down SCN will save $2.4 million the first year and $5 million a year after that.

SCN offers a wide range of programming, including documentaries and dramas, and sources its content from a variety of providers, including local film and television producers.

The channel is available on satellite and cable television and makes some of its content available online.