Filming in Elgin
Lights. Camera. Elgin!
Located midpoint between Toronto, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. Elgin County comprises seven local municipalities on Lake Erie’s shorelines 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 its wonders.
Get started by applying for your Film Permit today! If you have any questions about filming in Elgin County, please contact filming@elgin.ca.
About
Elgin County consists of seven Municipalities: Aylmer, Bayham, Central Elgin, Dutton-Dunwich, Malahide, Southwold, and West Elgin. 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 make 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 in Elgin County, such as Sparta, Aylmer, and Dutton, offer various historical buildings, time periods, and unique structural designs. Beach towns such as Port Stanley and Port Burwell showcase 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. Get ready to say… Lights. Camera. ELGIN!
Film Permits and Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Release and Indemnity Agreement
Code of Conduct
Letter of Notification
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 supporting local businesses and services during productions. These include catering, hardware/lumber supplies, and casual employment. We can help connect applicants with the required suppliers.
FAQ
Elgin County only issues permits for public spaces. Interested productions must contact private property owners in order to gain permission to film on site. If filming on private property significantly impacts public property, a film permit may be required.
Applicants must submit the following documents along with the Film Permit Application:
- Certificate of Insurance
- Code of Conduct
- Letters of Notification
- 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.
Residents should direct questions about film productions in their community 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.
For questions about filming in Elgin County or about the permit process, contact filming@elgin.ca.
