Building opportunities for residents, businesses, and our local economy.
Exploring a Film‑Friendly Future for Tillsonburg
Tillsonburg is exploring the development of a Film‑Friendly Community Policy to better support film and television productions interested in using our community as a backdrop. Film activity can bring economic, cultural, and promotional benefits, and we want to ensure residents and businesses understand the potential and have opportunities to participate. In October 2024, a draft Film Policy was presented to Council. At that meeting, Council passed a resolution directing staff to complete public consultation before bringing a final policy back for consideration.
Why Become a Film‑Friendly Community?
Film productions bring more than cameras and lights — they can generate meaningful, measurable benefits for the communities they work in. From increased spending at local businesses to new job opportunities, becoming film‑friendly supports economic growth while showcasing Tillsonburg’s character and charm.
New Revenue Streams for Residents & Businesses
Benefits for the Community
Economic Impact for Local Businesses
Film productions can provide significant economic opportunities for Tillsonburg’s business community. These benefits may include:
Direct Spending in the Community
- Increased revenue for restaurants, cafés, and catering companies
- Bookings for local hotels, motels, and short‑term rentals
- Contract opportunities for local tradespeople
- Business for service providers such as cleaners, transportation companies, equipment suppliers, and more
Examples from Across Ontario
Large‑scale productions demonstrate how impactful filming can be.
For example, The Umbrella Academy generated over $77.3 million in local spending during production, with 59% allocated to wages and salaries and involvement from 980 local suppliers. While Tillsonburg would operate on a smaller scale, the economic principles remain the same: productions fuel local economies.
(Oxford Economics (2022). Economic Impacts of The Umbrella Academy Season Two in Ontario.)
New Revenue Streams for Residents & Businesses
A film‑friendly approach can create additional income opportunities, including:
For Local Businesses
- Supplying goods and services to production crews
- Catering for cast and crew
- Providing accommodations
- Offering rentals (vehicles, props, equipment, specialized tools)
- Delivering support services such as printing, signage, fabrication, or set‑related tasks
For Property Owners
Residents and businesses may have opportunities to register their property as a potential filming location, enabling compensation for use of:
- Homes
- Farms
- Commercial spaces
- Parking areas
- Unique or historic buildings
Broader Benefits for the Community
Beyond direct spending, film productions can bring long‑term value to Tillsonburg:
Community-Wide Advantages
- Raising Tillsonburg’s profile and visibility to a province-wide or global audience
- Attracting tourism from fans interested in visiting filming locations
- Creating new employment opportunities for residents
- Supporting the growth of local arts, culture, and creative industries
- Encouraging economic diversification, helping build a more resilient local economy
Becoming film‑friendly is not just about hosting productions, it’s about creating a foundation for continued community growth.
What Becoming Film‑Friendly Means for Tillsonburg
Developing a Film‑Friendly Community Policy will help Tillsonburg:
- Streamline permitting and guidelines for productions
- Create clear expectations around filming in residential and commercial areas
- Prepare staff and local partners for production needs
- Promote Tillsonburg as a welcoming and accessible filming location
- Maximize economic benefits while protecting community interests
This policy will serve as a framework that supports filming responsibly, efficiently, and respectfully.
Have Your Say
Tillsonburg’s future as a film‑friendly community depends on your input.
We are currently gathering feedback from:
- Residents
- Business owners
- Property owners
- Community stakeholders
Your perspective will help guide how Tillsonburg moves forward.
Film‑Friendly Community Supporting Documents
These supporting documents include the October 2024 Council report, the draft film-friendly by-law, the filming permit application, production checklists, and the Tillsonburg location inventory, and together they outline the framework, requirements, and resources for hosting film and television productions in our community.
Original report to Council. Council referred it to staff for public consultation.
Sets the rules for filming, including permits, hours, noise, traffic, parking, insurance, notifications, and fees.
Simple form to request permission to film, with fields for dates, locations, activities, and contacts.
Step‑by‑step guides to plan safely, coordinate with Town services, and restore locations after filming.
Curated list of filming sites, with an option for owners to submit homes or businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
A film‑friendly community is one that actively supports and welcomes film and television productions. This includes having clear processes, policies, and contacts in place to help productions work efficiently, while ensuring residents and businesses are respected throughout the process.
Interest from film scouts and production companies is growing across Ontario, and Tillsonburg’s mix of heritage charm, modern amenities, and unique locations makes it an appealing option. By being prepared, the Town can help bring economic, cultural, and promotional benefits to the community.
The Town’s film‑friendly policy will include guidelines to minimize disruptions related to:
- Traffic and parking
- Noise
- Lighting
- Road use
- Filming hours
Residents and businesses will be notified in advance whenever possible, and productions will be required to follow all municipal rules.
All productions must comply with municipal bylaws and any applicable provincial regulations. They must also respect community spaces, private property, and local protocols. Filming in residential areas will require clear communication and appropriate permissions.
Yes. As Tillsonburg’s film‑friendly program develops, residents and business owners may be invited to submit their properties to a location database used by film scouts and production teams.
Your feedback is important. The Town’s approach will be shaped by public input collected through surveys, consultations, and open houses. Policies will balance community interests with economic opportunities.
Town of Tillsonburg
10 Lisgar Ave,
Tillsonburg, Ontario
N4G 5A5
Phone: 519-688-3009
Fax: 519-688-0759
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