Film in Kawartha Lakes
Kawartha Lakes, just 90 minutes northeast of Toronto, is the second largest single-tier municipality in Ontario by land area. That scale gives filmmakers access to an incredible range of backdrops, all within one convenient location and under a single film permitting structure.
From vibrant downtowns and historic theatres to lakes, cottages, barns, forests, waterways, and small-town charm, Kawartha Lakes offers countless possibilities for your next production.
This page is your one-stop hub for filming resources, including permitting details, location highlights, local contacts, and support services to help bring your vision to life efficiently and seamlessly.
Film Location Permit Process & Fees
There is no fee to receive a film permit to film the City of Kawartha Lakes. Requests for specific activities (i.e. room rentals, road closures, rental of fire truck etc) may include fees which are outlined in CKL Film Guidelines.
As of Monday June 3, 2024, the following applications will be available through Permit Central:
- Event in Right-of-Way (previously - Road Occupancy or Road Closure Permit)
- Work in Right-of-Way (previously - Road Occupancy or Road Closure Permit)
Check out the Permit Central How to Guide for more information on how to sign up and use the portal. If you're looking for specific help with applying for a roads operations permit, read the Permit Central How to Guide for Roads Operations Permits.
Drone Usage
Use of drones in the City is regulated by Transport Canada. A full description is found in section 3.8 Unmanned Ariel Vehicles of the CKL Film Guidelines.
Film Office Services
The City of Kawartha Lakes provides one point of contact for location scout inquiries and production requests. Please refer to Bylaw 2022-116 (download) and our Film Guidelines for detailed information on fees, timelines, approvals and other information you might need to plan your next shoot with us.
Initial inquiry or reach out can be done directly through the Film Permit Application form here. Depending on the request, additional applications/forms found in the CKL Guidelines may need to be submitted to Film Kawartha Lakes.
Guidelines and Information
The City of Kawartha Lakes supports the work of the Ontario Green Screen (OGS). Access to local Film friendly environmental resources is also highlighted in our Film Guidelines. Ideas can be accessed through the OGS strategic plan.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with other provincial resources such as: Ontario Production Guidelines, Green Production Guide and Ontario's Safety Guidelines.
Special Effects (SPFX)
Production companies proposing the use of pyrotechnics and or discharged fireworks are required to indicate the use of pyrotechnics under the Additional Elements section of the Film Permit Application. The production company shall observe and comply with all applicable Federal, Provincial and local laws pertaining in any way to the use of pyrotechnics and/or discharged fireworks and is responsible for obtaining all required approvals and permits related to the use of pyrotechnics and/or discharged fireworks.
Specific reporting and submission requirements can be found in section 3.3.2 of the CKL Film Guidelines.
Filming Locations
For a list of specific filming locations in Kawartha Lakes, you can visit our page on Ontario Creates.
Communities found within Kawartha Lakes include:
- Argyle
- Bethany
- Bobcaygeon
- Coboconk
- Fenelon Falls
- Kinmount
- Kirkfield
- Lindsay
- Norland
- Oakwood
- Omemee
- Pontypool
- Woodville
Industry Incentives and Tax Credits
The Ontario Film & Television Tax Credit (OFTTC) is a refundable tax credit available to eligible Ontario-based Canadian corporations of 35% of qualified Ontario labour expenditures for eligible film and television production.
Qualifying OFTTC productions that are shot in Ontario entirely outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), or that have at least five location days in Ontario (or in the case of a television series, the number of location days is at least equal to the number of episodes), and at least 85% of the location days in Ontario are outside the GTA, receive a 10% bonus on all Ontario labour expenditures incurred for the production. Wholly animated productions which create at least 85% of key animation in Ontario outside of the GTA qualify for the regional bonus.
The Ontario Production Services Tax Credit (OPSTC) is a refundable tax credit to eligible Ontario-based Canadian and foreign-controlled corporations of 21.5% of qualified Ontario production expenditures for eligible film and television productions.
The Ontario Computer Animation & Special Effects (OCASE) Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit to Ontario-based Canadian and foreign-controlled corporations of 18% of qualifying Ontario labour expenditures for digital animation and digital visual effects created in Ontario for film and television productions.
Federal incentives can add up to a 16% labour tax credit, depending on the level of assistance the project received from provincial and other sources. This commonly works out to 2-4% when added with other incentives.
Industry Spotlight
A new community-based "Cultural Roundtable" for Film and TV production will be established in Kawartha Lakes. The Cultural Roundtable - Film is meant to generate ideas and projects that will enhance it development, cultural tourism, and the creative economy through partnerships between communities, businesses, the municipality and the Film/TV production industry.
The Cultural Roundtable will meet to bring together interested members of the community to consider how to carry out strategies to develop the Kawartha Lakes Film and TV production industry. The topics for discussion will be advertised prior to each meeting and anyone with an interest, related knowledge or experience is welcome to attend. Project groups may form from these meetings to take on specific projects or tasks.
View the City's Calendar of Events to find out about future Cultural Roundtable meeting times, locations and topics that will be discussed.
Supporting the Creative Economy in Kawartha Lakes
Connect with Donna Goodwin, Economic Development Officer - Culture
How Donna can help:
- Concierge service for municipal permitting processes
- Support location scouting, crew support
- Access incentives, grants and other development programs
Telephone: 705-324-9411 extension 1498
Toll Free: 1-866-397-6673
Email Donna
Contact Us
Kawartha Lakes
P.O. Box 9000, 26 Francis Street
Lindsay, ON, K9V 5R8
Telephone: 705-324-9411
Toll free at 1-888-822-2225
After-hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337
