Filming in Elgin

Lights. Camera. Elgin!

Located midpoint between Toronto, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.  Elgin County is made up of seven local municipalities nestled on the shorelines of Lake Erie in Ontario’s Southwest.

Elgin County’s versatile landscape features beach towns, historical downtowns, heritage buildings, rural settings, small town vibes, vast green spaces, and agricultural areas.  With so many great locations and backdrops we encourage you to explore the wonder of Elgin County.

Great started by applying for your Film Permit today!
For any questions regarding filming in Elgin County, please contact filming@elgin.ca 

About

Elgin County consists of 7 Municipalities – Aylmer, Bayham, Central Elgin, Dutton-Dunwich, Malahide, Southwold, and West Elgin. Being located in Ontario’s Southwest, we are fortunate to experience and appreciate a true four-seasons each year. Our small-town charm and vibe are what makes us unique. From the farmer’s fields to sandy beaches, from lift-bridges to lighthouses we’ve got you covered.

With classic main streets, agricultural areas, beaches, proximity to London, Ontario, and being bookended by Chatham-Kent and Brantford we have lots to offer and even more to discover.

The small-towns and villages located in Elgin County such as Sparta, Aylmer, and Dutton offer a wide variety of historical buildings, time periods, and unique structural designs.  Beach towns such as Port Stanley and Port Burwell, show off our small-town coastal charm and can be turned into the location you may be looking for.

We consider ourselves versatile, adaptive, and accommodating to the film industry. Great ready to say… Lights. Camera. ELGIN! 

Film History

From Bette Midler to Jason Momoa, many film and television stars have hit the screen with Elgin County as the backdrop. We have a well-rounded history of being represented on the big screen:

Year

Location

Title

Type

Production

1988

Port Burwell

Friday the 13th – The Pirates Promise

TV Series

Paramount Pictures

1997

Wallacetown, St. Peter’s Church

The Old Feeling

Feature Film

Universal Pictures

2008

Port Stanley, King George Lift bridge

Adidas

Commercial

JKF Productions

2010

Port Stanley

Fairfield Road

TV Movie

Hallmark Films

2015

Elgin County Archives/Port Stanley

Cold

Feature Film

New Form Media

2016

Port Stanley

Taken

TV Series

NBC

2019

St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital

The Boys

 

Amazon Prime

2019

St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Feature Film

CBS Films

2020

St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital

See

TV Series

Apple TV

2020

Port Stanley

Locke & Key

TV Series

Netflix

2020

Port Stanley

Still Standing

TV Series

CBC

Local Sourcing

Elgin County encourages the patronization of local businesses and services during productions in Elgin County.  These include catering, hardware/lumber supplies, and casual employment. We can assist in connecting applicants with the required suppliers.

FAQ

Elgin County only issues permits for public spaces. Interested Productions would need to contact the private property owners in order to gain permission to film on site.  If filming on private property that significantly impacts public property, a film permit may be required.

The following documents are required to be submitted along with the Film Permit Application

  1. Certificate of Insurance
  2. Code of Conduct
  3. Letters of Notification
  4. Signed Release and Indemnity Agreement

As a business owner or resident, you may experience some temporary disruptions from filming in your neighbourhood.  These may include street parking, traffic stoppages, sidewalk and road closures, or background noise.

Questions regarding filming projects should be directed to the production company listed on the notification letter.  Your local municipality and/or the Elgin County Economic Development and Tourism Department is always available to answer general questions about the film and television production process in Elgin County.

filming@elgin.ca

Easter Holiday Closure Notice
Family Day Closure Notice
Graphic to indicate holiday closures at Elgin County Facilities. The Elgin County Administration Building, Provincial Offences Administration Building, and Elgin County Heritage Centre will be closed on Friday, December 23rd at noon. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024.