Contacts
Pickering is in the 'Zone' and Open for Business !
Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the City of Pickering continues to embrace the filming industry. All permit processes can be handled electronically, from online application to final payment.
We welcome film projects of all sizes and genres and are keen to celebrate all your successes. Check out our Testimonials section below, featuring remarks from the Director of 'Claire de Lune'. This poignant short feature culminated with a scene shot on our waterfront. 'Claire de Lune' continues to collect both domestic and global awards, including:
- Best director, Best family short film, Best Young actress (Charlotte Tapin): Silk Road Film Award, (Cannes, 2020)
- Best realistic film, monthly award: Reale Film Festival in Milan (Italy, 2020)
- Best movie : Montreal Independent Film Festival (2020)
- Cannes International Independent Film Festival (2020)
- ME Film Festival (Milledgeville, USA, 2020)
- Directors Cut International Film Festival (Vancouver, 2020)
- Toronto Shorts International Film Festival (2020
Before you apply for a Film Location Permit, please review the guidelines issued by the Section 21 Film & Television Health and Safety Advisory Committee of the Ontario Ministry of Labour and Skills Development. More resources are available from our local health authority, the Durham Region Health Department.
The first municipality east of Toronto, Pickering is in the 'Zone' and we love to host the film industry ! We offer access to both Hwy. 401, and Hwy. 407 ETR, and 30-minute access to 4 airports - Pearson, Billy Bishop, Buttonville and Oshawa.
Film Office Services |
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We aim to make your experience as seamless as possible through a number of services including:
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Film Location Permit Process and Fees |
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Submit the completed Film Location Permit Form that will automatically be sent to our Film Liaison Office by email. In light of current COVID-19 health & safety restrictions, we'd like a minimum of 1 week to review your proposal, so we can keep our residents and businesses well informed. The Film Location Permit fee for City of Pickering road occupancy is a flat rate of $250 plus HST. This fee can cover multiple locations over multiple days, provided the occupancy relates to a single film activity occurring over consecutive days. If your plan includes use of a City owned facility or public park, we'll connect you to the right staff for issuance of a Facility Rental Agreement or Park Rental Permit. Questions or concerns about your Film Location Permit? Contact our Film Liaison Office directly at 905.420.4617. We're here to help. |
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Drones |
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The City of Pickering does not regulate the use of drones for commercial filming. We require that use of drones is conducted by a commercially licensed Drone operator, who abides by the terms of that Federally regulated licence. We require a copy of the drone operator's certification is filed with the Film Office prior to us issuing a Film Location Permit. | ||||||
SPFX |
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Use of SPFX that are fire or incendiary-based must be reviewed by the City of Pickering, Fire Prevention Office. The Film Liaison Office will connect you directly to our Fire Services staff who will determine if the activity requires a separate Fire Permit and attendance on site by our Pickering Fire Service team. In many cases, certified SPFX personnel contracted by the film production company can be used. (Note: if City of Pickering Fire personnel are required, but not available, no other private fire service or personnel will be allowed as a substitute.) The use of chemical based SPFX products will be reviewed by our Engineering Department prior to issuance of a Film Location Permit, to ensure they are safe for our environment and residents. Non-incendiary SPFX such as gunfire no longer requires on-site attendance by Durham Region Police Services tactical teams. However, details of the SPFX explosives or gunfire must be reported to the City of Pickering Film Liaison Office as well as the Durham Region Police services, prior to issuance of the City's Film Location Permit and commencement of filming. |
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Locations |
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Heritage spirit abounds in Pickering. Home of the largest living history museum in Durham Region, the buildings and streetscapes of our Pickering Museum Village will transport you back to the 19th century. And don't forget to take a look at our heritage protected hamlets.
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Testimonials - Don't take our word for it... |
"No matter the size or scope of the production, The City of Pickering is the right place for your shoot. Their film office is among the most astute and professional, always willing to troubleshoot with shows to help them create their vision, while keeping the City happy to have us return for another project. Spencer Malin, Assistant Location Manager, Precious Productions Inc.(2021)
"As the director and co-producer of ''Claire de Lune'', bilingual short-film (2020), I really enjoyed filming in Pickering, Ontario. The Waterfront offers lots of amazing sites. Pickering has a lot to offer, from natural to more urban sites. My co-producer, Antoine Tapin, found it really easy and pleasant to communicate with the City's Film Office to get our permit. We got it really quickly and all paper work was dealt with efficiently and quickly. Thank you, Pickering team! I hope to shoot another film in the near future in your fast growing city. - Valérie Lecomte, Director and Feature Performer, 'Claire de Lune'
"The City of Pickering offers a ton of amazing locations. The City staff are extremely helpful throughout every step of the production process." - Andrew VanEek, Assistant Location Manager, "Mercury"
"When scouting for film or TV in the GTA, one always has to consider the 'zone'. Pickering offers country looks, farms and farmland, quaint village looks, suburban and upscale homes and a spectacular waterfront. Finding all this in one area keeps us on budget and the City's efficient permit process keeps us on time. Pickering is always one of the first places I look when I need a diverse cross-section of looks. "
"I have been privileged to live in a wonderful Pickering century farm house for the past 42 years, during which, my family and I have hosted many film shoots. It has been a great experience on many levels. Firstly to bring awareness to a genre in Canadian history such as my house represents is an honour. This home is built with olden day care. It is solid and stately and has a barn that ignites the imagination. Helping foster the imagination of the viewing audiences is wonderful feeling. We live in such a beautiful area, rich with wildflowers, growing crops and wildlife. To share this beauty is a great bonus of hosting the creative talents of film crew. Almost every crew that has been here has left something to enrich this place...a new screen door, a great paint job, a back porch that they needed for a shot, a film platform in the barn that we use for other gatherings, etc. The film industry appreciates the hospitality of the hosting family and is always so careful at restoring the location in a meticulous manner. I would highly recommend that we do everything we can to encourage the film industry to our area. The revenue to the area is always appreciated and people love to be a part of the excitement generated by the creative talent involved." |
How to List your private property for use by Film Productions |
Film productions looking for new locations often search the inventory of film sites hosted by Ontario Creates. This is the official office established by the Province of Ontario, to support all aspects of the film industry across Ontario.
If you would like to offer/rent your property to the film industry, consider registering your property with the Ontario Film Commission, Ontario Locations Library. This online portal features over 400,000 digital images of locations, used by film and TV producers to scout potential filming sites for upcoming productions in Ontario. It is important to note, that any arrangements made for use of your private property, are between you and a film company. The City of Pickering has no jurisdiction or involvement in setting the terms of rental of private property. The City's role in issuing approvals to the Film Industry only applies to the use of City owned property or roads. Residents must still comply with all Municipal By-laws while providing use of their property to a film company. Therefore, if a film company is using your property, but parking their equipment or vehicles on a public municipal road, the production must still apply for a Film Location Permit for occupancy of that road. Regardless, please don't hesitate to contact our Film Office directly, for advice on best practices when engaging the film industry filming@pickering.ca, or 905.420.4617. |