Canada is home to breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and world-class infrastructure. Yet, when it comes to film production, much of its potential remains underused. While Vancouver and Toronto have long served as backdrops for Hollywood blockbusters, the rest of the country, especially Ontario’s smaller towns and natural wonders,has yet to be fully activated as a cinematic destination.

It’s time for Canada, and Ontario in particular, to target the internal film industry with full force. That means offering incentives for hotel bookings, location shoots, support staff, and logistics, while building a national brand around “Movie Tourism”,a strategy that not only attracts filmmakers but also drives tourism, job creation, and cultural pride.

Why Film Production Is a Strategic Asset

Film is more than entertainment, it’s a catalyst for economic development. Every movie shoot brings with it a wave of spending: hotels, catering, transportation, local hires, and equipment rentals. According to Ontario Creates, the province already offers 21.5% refundable tax credits on qualifying production expenditures. But these incentives are often geared toward large foreign productions. What’s missing is a targeted push to support Canadian studios and regional filmmakers.

By expanding incentives to include:

- Discounts on hotel stays for cast and crew

- Subsidies for location permits and municipal services

- Access to trained support staff and production assistants

- Fast-tracked approvals for rural and remote shoots

Canada can make it easier for internal studios to scale up and for international producers to choose Canadian locations over competitors.

Lessons from Global Giants: Bollywood, Nollywood, and K-Cinema

India’s Bollywood is a prime example of how a domestic film industry can become a global cultural force. With over 1,500 films produced annually, Bollywood not only entertains billions but also drives tourism to places like Rajasthan, Goa, and Kashmir,regions that have become iconic through cinema.

Similarly, Nigeria’s Nollywood produces thousands of films each year, often on modest budgets, yet it fuels a massive entertainment economy across Africa. South Korea’s K-Cinema, backed by government support and global streaming platforms, has turned Seoul into a filming hotspot and cultural export hub.

These industries thrive because their governments recognize film as a strategic sector,not just for culture, but for economic diplomacy, tourism, and soft power.

Canada must follow suit. We have the talent, the infrastructure, and the landscapes. What we lack is a coordinated national strategy to elevate our internal film industry to global prominence.

Ontario’s Cinematic Canvas: From Muskoka to Manitoulin

Ontario alone offers a stunning variety of filming locations:

- Urban grit and glamour in Toronto, Hamilton, and Ottawa

- Lakeside charm in Muskoka, Prince Edward County, and Georgian Bay

- Historic towns like Stratford, Kingston, and Niagara-on-the-Lake

- Wilderness and Indigenous lands in Northern Ontario and Manitoulin Island

These places are not just scenic,they’re cinematically versatile. With proper support, they can host everything from indie dramas to sci-fi epics. Yet many remain off the radar for producers due to lack of awareness, logistical hurdles, or cost barriers.

A “Movie Tourism” initiative could change that by:

- Creating a centralized location registry with photos, permits, and local contacts

- Offering regional grants for small-town shoots

- Training local youth in film production skills to build a support workforce

- Partnering with tourism boards to promote film-themed travel packages

Economic and Cultural Payoff

The benefits of this strategy are enormous:

- Tourism Boost: Fans travel to see filming locations. Think Game of Thrones in Croatia or Lord of the Rings in New Zealand. Canada can replicate this with homegrown hits.

- Job Creation: Every production hires dozens of crew, extras, and service providers. Supporting internal studios means more stable employment in creative sectors.

- Cultural Identity: Canadian stories told on Canadian soil strengthen national pride and global visibility.

- Regional Development: Smaller towns and Indigenous communities can benefit from film-driven investment and exposure.

According to PwC, Canada’s film incentives already make it globally competitive. But to truly lead, we must go beyond tax credits and build a full ecosystem that nurtures domestic talent and attracts global attention.

Policy Recommendations

To make “Movie Tourism” a reality, Canada and Ontario should:

- Expand funding to include hotel, travel, and logistics subsidies for internal productions.

- Create regional film offices to support location scouting and permit processing.

- Launch a national campaign promoting Canada as a top-tier filming destination.

- Offer training programs in colleges and communities to build a skilled support workforce.

- Integrate film with tourism by developing movie-themed travel experiences.

These steps would not only empower Canadian filmmakers but also position Canada as a cinematic powerhouse—one that rivals Bollywood, Nollywood, and K-Cinema in cultural reach and economic impact.

Final Scene: Canada’s Cinematic Future Starts Now

Canada has the landscapes, the talent, and the infrastructure. What it needs is vision and investment. By embracing “Movie Tourism” and supporting internal studios with real incentives, we can unlock a new era of cultural and economic growth.

Let’s turn our towns into sets, our forests into backdrops, and our stories into global sensations. The cameras are ready. It’s time to roll.