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| NEW IN ONTARIO |
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Letter from the Commissioner
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Dear Filmmakers and Friends,
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Welcome to the inaugural edition of our quarterly newsletter! We're thrilled to share important resources and updates about Ontario’s Film and Television industry, including updates on financial incentives, locations, studio infrastructure, Ontario Film Commission services, environmental sustainability resources, policy updates, and our talented workforce. In other words, all the reasons that make Ontario the best choice for filming – whether that be live action production, VFX, animation or post. We’ve got you covered. Ontario’s got this!
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- Justin Cutler, Ontario Film Commissioner
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Diving Regulations Change
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The Film Office played an important role in discussions between MTCG, MLITSD, CMPA, FilmOntario and the Section 21 Health and Safety Committee, advising on a regulatory amendment for underwater work activities for the film and television industry. These amendments maintain set safety, meet global industry standards, and provide confidence that Ontario is well-positioned to support underwater scenes.
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Effective July 1, 2025, amendments made to O. Reg. 629/94 - Diving Operations, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA), were approved and will do the following:
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- Exempt employers of persons participating in a diving operation who work in the screen industry from the CSA Standard diving certification requirements, unless that person is a standby diver, diver’s tender, a diving supervisor, hyperbaric chamber operator, life support technician or any person underwater to support the health and safety of persons participating in the diving operation.
- Enable adopting an updated Code for the Medical Examination of Divers through a rolling reference in regulation.
- Enable adopting a rolling reference in regulation for the Code for Cable, Slings and Rigging used in diving operations.
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For a look at Ontario’s pools and open water locations, check out these location packages:
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Ontario Film Commission Digital Service Redesign
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We've redesigned the Film Commission website, Locations Library, Ontario Production Guide, Ontario Studio List and Sustainability Toolkit, making it easier to access important production resources, our in-production list, tax incentives and Ontario locations. Vendors and suppliers now have an increased presence on the website along with our services and resource guides. Increased mobile functionality across all of these services makes for easier use on location. Check it out!
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Most exciting is that our Locations Library has migrated to Reel Scout, a database used by film commissions and location scouts worldwide. This new location service offers improved location mapping, search functions, speed, and location viewing tools. Take a look at this listing for the Fairmount Royal York to see our new 3D modelling function.
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Studio Updates
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Ontario Studio List: With 3.65 million square feet of stage space, Ontario has an abundance of stage space for every type of production. Our newly updated Studio List includes both studios and LED volume walls. Reach out to our team for soundstage availability.
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Sullivan Studios available for filming: Sullivan Studios provides a premier 123,000 square foot facility including a 65,000 square foot exterior backlot. The shooting space includes four stages, wardrobe, and a full-service carpentry shop. The production offices are fully furnished, providing a modern and comfortable turn-key work environment.
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Learn More about Sullivan Studios
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Cinespace Studios Canada Wins Studio of the Year: Cinespace Studios Canada won Studio of the Year at the Global Production Awards presented by Screen International at the Cannes Film Festival. A well-deserved win for one of Ontario's top studio suppliers. Congratulations to the Cinespace Studios team! Cinespace’s Eoin Egan and Magali Simard pictured below with Guillermo del Toro, Mayor Olivia Chow, and Miles Dale at the naming ceremony for the Marine Terminal Studios where Guillermo del Toro was recently presented the key to the city. The studio is now called The Guillermo del Toro Stages.
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| LOCATION SPOTLIGHT |
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Check out our location image package showcasing these locations. |
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Central Ontario
GM Assembly Plant, Oshawa
Constructed in 1954, this newly available automobile assembly plant located just outside Toronto offers a variety of industrial looks and exciting possibilities. With an old coal power plant on site, border-style security checkpoints, and a modern vehicle test track that can easily mimic a multi-lane highway, this factory can cater to a wide range of productions.
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CENTRAL ONTARIO
Centennial Pool, Oakville
Centennial Pool is a popular standing set for major film productions. An ideal location for aquatic scenes, the pool features removable windows for easy load in, balcony viewing, and lower-level change rooms. The pool has is equipped to handle heavy equipment and ceiling rigging for lights.
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NORTHERN ONTARIO
Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay
Located on the banks of the Kaministiquia River, Fort William Historical Park offers a stunning depiction of life in the 1800's. This beautiful historic park is a great option for historical dramas or gritty westerns with 57 heritage and modern buildings on 250 acres of land.
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EASTERN ONTARIO
Kingston Penitentiary
A well-known filming location, Kingston Penitentiary is the oldest and largest maximum-security prison in Canada. Established in 1835, this imposing limestone structure with multiple guard towers, tunnels, and cell blocks has various looks and locations for all of your filming needs.
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SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO
Labatt Memorial Ball Park, London
Step up to the plate at Labatt Memorial Park Baseball Field. This 5,200 seat outdoor baseball field is situated on 8.7 acres of land in central London and is the oldest operating baseball grounds in the world. Dating back to 1877, this field has grass, a renovated grandstand, and an old club house and change rooms.
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| ONTARIO GREEN SCREEN |
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Sizzle Reel |
Ontario Green Screen is excited to premiere our newly produced sizzle reel showcasing our sustainable production offering for Ontario’s film community. Give it a watch! |
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Sustainable Film Production Fundamentals Course |
Our new Sustainable Film Production Fundamentals (SFPF) Course provides essential training to all film workers in Ontario to better understand the climate emergency and how to make a difference on set. This virtual course is available free of charge and in two formats: self-directed online or led by an expert facilitator online. All participants receive a certificate of completion and additional resources. Join over 1,000 film workers who have completed this training. |
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Producing for the Planet: Emerging Producer Sustainability Guide |
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Ontario Green Screen is proud to sponsor Producing for the Planet's “The Future of Filmmaking" Guide for Emerging and Low-Budget Content Creators. This guide supports filmmakers at all levels of their careers; providing the tools, training and resources that can be adopted at any budget level to create a sustainable production! |
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P4P Action Report |
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We are happy to share Producing for the Planet's inaugural Action Report, which showcases the amazing sustainability efforts taken by Producers across Canada. Congratulations to the four Ontario-based Production Companies who made the Top 10 and reported the greatest number of sustainability-related actions in 2024. Kudos to Shaftesbury, Lionsgate Canada, Counterfeit Pictures, and FilmForge, and to all 70 Producing for the Planet production companies who took the steps to commit to climate action and sustainable production.
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Partners in Project Green’s Material Exchange Program
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Ontario Green Screen is proud to renew our partnership with Partners in Project Green's (PPG) Material Exchange Program. We are committed to providing a resource to the film & television industry to support circularity and keep production materials out of landfill.
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| STRENGTHENING ONTARIO |
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NOHFC expanded to Muskoka |
The District of Muskoka is now eligible for Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation funding! Northern Ontario was previously defined as all areas north of, and including, the Districts of Parry Sound and Nipissing but Muskoka is now added to that list. To be eligible to apply to the film and television stream: |
- The production company must be a Canadian corporation which is Canadian controlled.
- The production company must own all, or a majority of, the rights necessary to exploit and produce the production.
- Applicants must receive a producer credit on the project.
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Career Fairs |
Our municipal and industry partners across the province are dedicated to growing our skilled workforce. Durham Region, Ottawa and Pinewood Studios Toronto all hosted industry career fairs earlier this year with great success. It was exciting to see so many students exploring careers in film and television with support from our unions, guilds, suppliers, and industry organizations, representing all our industry has to offer. |
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Ontario Film Office Forum 2025 |
In April, over 50 film officers from across Ontario met at the 2024 Ontario Film Office Forum to connect and share ideas on strengthening our film sector. Producers, Unions, and Location Managers joined the conversation to share best practices and provide insights into what supports and resources are most helpful to production.
Get to know our local film liaisons here. |
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The 12th Annual Location Managers Guild International Awards |
Congratulations to the City of Toronto Film Office and The Apprentice locations team for well-deserved nominations at the Location Managers Guild International Awards. Awards will be announced at the ceremony on August 23rd. View a list of all the nominees here. |
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CASO VFX & Animation Job Portal |
Looking for a job in animation or VFX? Check out the Computer Animation Studios Ontario Job Portal. The CASO Job Portal launched in 2024 to help connect Ontario's talented animation and visual effects professionals with the best Ontario jobs. |
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| MADE IN ONTARIO |
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Watch these recent releases now: |
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The Handmaid's Tale |
Finished its final season in May! Congratulations to the entire Handmaid's Tale Team on an incredible series run. We already miss seeing you around the province. |
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Murderbot |
Out now. Based on Martha Well's bestselling book series, Alexander Skarsgård stars as a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotions yet drawn to its vulnerable clients in this sci-fi thriller/comedy. |
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40 Acres |
In theatres now! This post-apocalyptic thriller from R.T. Thorne stars Danielle Deadwyler surviving with her family after a series of plagues and wars has left society in ruins. But when her son meets a woman in the forest, his need for human connection could place the whole family in jeopardy. |
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Twisted Metal |
Out Now! Based on the popular video game franchise, this post-apocalyptic series came to Ontario to film its second season. Get ready for a wild ride... |
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Fubar |
Season 2 is streaming on Netflix. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the team are back in this comedy action adventure filmed across the province. |
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See what's in production now. |
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| ON THE SCENE |
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| COMING SOON |
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| RESOURCES |
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| CONTACT US |
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Published by Ontario Creates © King's Printer for Ontario, 2025.
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