Port Hope, Ontario

Port Hope, Ontario is located 109 kilometres (68 mi) east of Toronto, at the mouth of the Ganaraska River on the north shore of Lake Ontario. With over 270 heritage-designated buildings throughout the municipality, Port Hope’s downtown has one of the best-preserved 19th-century streetscapes in Canada. Locations of note include an authentic main street, heritage homes, churches, Capitol Theatre, Molson Mill, rolling hills and picturesque farmland, and the Ganaraska River.

Downtown businesses are regulated by the municipality to maintain the town’s unique character, ensuring visiting productions will be able to take advantage of the film locations for years to come.

Port Hope has hosted a long list of visiting productions including Our House, Falling Water, Star Falls, Murdoch, and most recently, the highest-grossing horror film of all time, Stephen King’s It (2017). It Chapter Two (2019) also filmed here.

Port Hope offers a range of beautiful looks across all seasons. Winters are cold and snow-covered. Spring brings flowers in full bloom although the hilly terrain can get a little slippery. Summers offer long sunny daylight hours. Fall brings autumnal oranges, yellows and reds.

Film Permits

Port Hope public location film permits for projects small and large cost CAD100. For more complex projects involving exclusive use of space, larger crew and equipment setups traffic control, stunts, pyrotechnics, etc. each film must include a Film Liaison Officer which costs CAD300 per day including tech surveys and tear down days. Filming in the Heritage Business Area is $1000 per day and $500 for set up and tear down days. Park rentals are $500. Parking spaces are $10 each. Note, costs are subject to change.

The Downtown area is limited to 20 shoot days per year with no more than 5 consecutive days. There are also blackout dates for filming in December.

Drone filming is permitted. All appropriate drone operator licenses and Transport Canada permits are required.

The Municipality of Port Hope is the main permitting authority for filming and photography in Port Hope. Contact them directly for up to date costs and advice on your shoot.

Toronto Film Crew & Production Service Support

Toronto is the closest major production centre where crew and equipment are based. If you are looking for a Toronto production service producer or film fixer to help arrange your shoot, contact us for referrals. If you are looking for Toronto area film and photography crew including directors, DoP’s, stills photographers, drone operators, videographers or cameramen, contact us.

Images and notes courtesy of Port Hope Tourism.