City Guide Filming in Montreal, QC
Production Permit Fees
- General Filming Permit Fee: $1,300 per day
Minimum Insurance
- Civil Liability: $1,000,000
- Automobile Liability: $1,000,000
- Aviation Insurance Coverage: $5,000,000
- UAS/Drone Insurance: $2,000,000
- Product Liability Insurance: $1,000,000
- Liquor Liability Insurance: $1,000,000
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Montreal
Originally named Ville-Marie, the City of Mary, in 1642, Montreal today takes its name from the iconic triple-peaked hill, Mount Royal, which is a standout feature of the cityscape. It is the biggest city, population-wise, in Quebec and the second in all of Canada. The Island of Montreal and several peripheral islands are associated with the city – the name of the island is derived from the same hill. Toronto took over Montreal in terms of economic prowess and population in the 70s, but the city is still among the most prosperous cities nationwide. It is renowned for its central position in several industries in Canada, including transport, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, technology, art, tourism, food, fashion, and, of course, film production.
Speaking of film production, the city has witnessed some of the most iconic production crews do their magic here. The results were epic, to say the least – Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, 300, The Notebook, Batman & Robin, Catch Me If You Can, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and multiple X-Men movies are excellent examples. And this should come as no surprise as the city was designated, in 2006, as a UNESCO City of Design, followed by a 2017 ranking as the 12th-most liveable city in the world, and has been consistently ranked among the best worldwide for university students and in terms of general liveability.
The possibilities are limitless, considering how many premium filming locations are available in the city, but you first need to acquaint yourself with the filming guidelines in Montreal before heading for the city. As film-friendly as the city is, you’ll still need to make sure that you’re all set for your film production activities here. Not to worry, though, because this is what we’re here to discuss. And as for the filming venue options, you can count on Giggster to help you pick from the best places to film in Montreal!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Montreal?
All filmmakers must get a permit to use public property in their film production endeavors. If you’re filming in a private setting, however, then you’ll have to sign an agreement with the property owner to reserve filming rights for yourself. As per the filming guidelines in Montreal, you’ll need a filming permit if one or more of the following are true:
If you need access to public property in Montreal for film production.
If you wish to reserve exclusive rights to a street or lane, i.e., close it for your production.
If your production crew requires parking privileges in public spaces.
You can reach out to The Montreal Film and TV Commission (MFTC) to see if your film production efforts require a film permit, and if so, you can apply for it online. Plus, on top of general filming permits, you may also want to inquire about special permits and permissions, such as for pyrotechnics, animal control, aircraft usage, and camera drone filming.
Permit Management in Montreal
The Montreal Film and TV Commission (MFTC)
The Montreal Film and TV Commission (MFTC), also given as Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision de Montréal (BCTM) in French, issues filming permits in Montreal and manages all related activities as well. You can reach out to the commission at 1130 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1620, in Montreal, to see if your film production efforts require a film permit issuance from the commission. You can contact them via email or phone as well – 514-872-2883 or film.tv@montreal.ca and then file your permit application online. You can do the same in person as well, whatever suits you the best!
Besides offering film permits for your film production activities, the commission will also help you in additional ways, such as:
Visiting local suppliers for any supplies you may need.
Offering all information relevant to your production efforts.
Offering contact information for all relevant service providers in Montreal.
Monitoring your film production activities.
Offering support with logistical support for your production team.
Besides the Montreal Film and TV Commission, you’ll also benefit from the help and services offered by the Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC). The QFTC is a non-profit organization offering assistance to regional filmmakers at both production and post-production stages. Among other things, they will help you claim tax credits (via SODEC) for your expenses if your total expenses are at least CAD$250,000 or more. The QFTC will also help you claim labor bonuses if you’re eligible for the program. You can also count on their support via access to music/sound recording studios, production assistance, help with virtual reality and augmented reality projects, and post-production assistance.
What Insurance Do I Need in Montreal?
The only hard and fast condition for filmmakers in Montreal is production insurance – you need to be covered for any possible liability claims that may arise due to the filming activities. Even if your script does not involve risky stunts or other elements that may cause any bodily injury or property damage, the unexpected can happen without warning. Insurance will protect you against the worst when something does go wrong. However, there are no set production insurance requirements in Montreal. Instead, you'll have to arrange insurance coverage as per the level of risk associated with your film production efforts.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Montreal?
Now that you’ve seen how lenient the filming laws in Montreal are let’s take a look at some of the many options you have for filming venues in the area. The city is littered with points of interest, historical buildings, monuments, and sightseeing spots, but you can also rent a private filming venue to best meet the needs of your script. For instance, the Open Loft Studio is an excellent filming venue, flooded with natural light, and it also shows an excellent view of the city through its panoramic display windows. Another example of a fine filming destination is the Metropolitan Style Studio which is fully furnished, well-lit, and offers picture-perfect contrast. The Yucatan Boho Style Studio is a themed interior that offers all the amenities that a film production could hope for.
Looking to film a cooking session in style? You can try the Eco-friendly Kitchen, which comes with all the equipment you need and a pro-green ambiance. Speaking of green, the Jungle Studio takes it one step further with its chlorophyll-inspired color palette, furniture that goes with the ambiance, and of course, an abundance of natural sunlight – how else would a jungle grow?
Moving back to the basics, you can rent the Film Studio in Montreal, which comes with all the filming equipment you need to put the best CGI effects in your project. Or maybe something eastern would be more up your alley? If so, then the Oriental & Moroccan Inspired Design Photo Studio would be the one for you.
Aside from these private locations, the city has some interesting buildings that can be used as a backdrop, and some will even allow you to film inside. Some of these structures include the majestic City Hall, Olympic Park, and the historic Bank of Montreal Building. Need a charming historical backdrop? Check out the Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum and Historic Site that dates back to 1668. The rural property even has people dressed in period costumes leading tours.
The choices are endless, and we’ve barely scratched the surface here!
You can always count on Giggster to help you pick some of the best locales in and near the city.
Special Requirements in Montreal
Filming In Local School Districts
Some of the local school districts include the English Montreal School Board, Lester B. Pearson School Board, Centre de services scolaires de Montréal (CSSDM), and Centre de services scolaires Marguerite-Bourgeoys (CSSMB). These school districts can give you conditional approval for your request to film on their premises, granted that you carry at least $1,000,000 in civil liability. You'll have to send your request as soon as possible, ideally, a month in advance, so that you can get exclusive access to the school. The ideal time for a shoot would be on a holiday. Once you get the school's approval, you can complete the film permit process with the Montreal Film and TV Commission (MFTC) and then begin filming as per the agreed-upon schedule.
Filming In Neighborhood Parks And Destination Parks
You can film in local parks, which are divided into two categories – smaller neighborhood parks and larger destination parks. After getting approval from the relevant authorities, you can get access to both kinds, but you’ll have to pay for filming privileges per day, depending on the size of the park itself and the extent of your production efforts.
Filming In Municipal Buildings
None of the municipal buildings in the city are available for film production efforts.
Filming in Saint Lawrence River and Rivière des Prairies
You can film in both the Saint Lawrence River and Rivière des Prairies, which sandwich the city from the north and the south, but you’ll need watercraft liability insurance coverage if you’re planning to use any water vessels.
Regular Hours For Film Production Activities & The Possibility Of An Extension
You must conduct all of your film production activities within the 8 AM to 9 PM timeframe, Monday to Friday. This includes setting up the film stage and packing up once your work is done. However, you can request an extension for this time limit from the concerned Borough Director – if you’re filming in a residential area, you’ll have to conduct a local survey first.
Filming On Sundays
The same also goes for Sundays – you can’t film in a residential space on Sundays unless you conduct a local survey with a positive outcome and then seek approval from the Borough Director.
Noise Regulations
The noise control laws vary from borough to borough in Montreal, but in general, it is advisable to keep the disturbance at a minimum, especially the humming of power generators.
What Does it Cost to Film in Montreal?
Now that we’ve gone over the filming regulations in Montreal let’s see how much you’ll be spending on fees and dues. This, of course, comes on top of site rentals and filming expenses – you are expected to pay for filming privileges on public property, and in some cases, you might also have to pay for any services rendered by the local departments. Here is a rough breakdown of the fees involved ($ here refers to CAD); first come the dues you have to pay to the Montreal Film and TV Commission (MFTC): The film permit costs are put forward depending on the duration. Generally, the fee is $1,300 per day. For student filmmakers and non-commercial film productions, a discounted rate of $93.24 per credit applies instead. Fees payable to the local police and fire prevention departments: Having a police officer involved in traffic control or on-set duty can cost you between $60.80 per hour and $170.99 per hour. Having a fire prevention officer on the set with their turnout gear can cost you around $82 per hour to $115 per hour depending on the rank of the officer stationed. To film at the local parks and beaches, the following dues will have to be paid to the concerned authorities: To set up a lunch tent, you’ll have to pay $349. For small-level production in a neighborhood park, the site rental will be between $205 and $1,258. However, for destination parks and beaches, this site rental will be $274 to $1,664. You’ll also have to pay an additional $83 per hour for site monitoring. The security deposit for such locations, if any, is negotiable. For street parking or access to public spaces, the following fees will be applicable: For parking privileges, you’ll have to pay $20 per day for a single parking space. For filming on public right of way, you’ll have to pay upwards of $1,000 per day (depending on the area covered by the street).
Additional Fees
Additional permits might be necessary depending on the nature of your shoot in Montreal. For example, if your production involves pyrotechnics or stunts, you'll need permits for these activities. Also, if your shoot involves blocking roads or disrupting traffic, you might need special permits and could incur fees for traffic management.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Montreal?
Since the filming laws in Montreal only apply to the city itself, you need to understand the extent of the city of Montreal to know what laws to follow where. The city itself is situated in southwest Quebec and is sandwiched by the Saint Lawrence River and Rivière des Prairies to the south and north, respectively. The north of the city itself is bordered by Laval, whereas the southern boundary is marked by Saint-Lambert, Longueuil, and Brossard. The eastern boundary is defined by Repentigny, and the West Island municipalities mark the western boundary.
Outreach in Montreal
You are only required to notify the affected residents about your upcoming filming activities, as per the Montreal filming laws. But in some cases, a local survey may also be needed, like if you wish to film beyond the regular hours. In both cases, it is best to reach out to the MFTC for guidance
Community Management in Montreal
When a city has been repeatedly listed as one of the most liveable places on the planet, and when it consistently shines through the list of the best cities for quality education, art, and culture, you can say with certainty that it hosts some of the most warm-hearted and welcoming people. The relaxed and filmmaker-friendly filming regulations in Montreal are perfectly parallel with the cooperative and kind nature of the people here; if you follow through with all the rules and regulations, you shouldn't have to worry about a thing!
Conclusion
To say that Montreal is an iconic city would be a gross understatement in many ways. As we’ve already discussed, the city boasts not only an impressive cityscape but also awe-inspiring views of natural elements, including the triple-peaked hill that gave it its name. Overall, there’s much to love about the city – the general warmth and receptive attitude of the local population, the booming economic prospects, a vibrant filming production scene, and of course, generally relaxed and easy-to-follow filming guidelines.
Apart from ranking among the top cities in the world, the city also hosts some of the most top-tier festivals, such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, and the Les Francos de Montréal French Music Festival – all of these are the largest of their kind in the world. The city was also honored as the host of the 1976 Summer Olympics – the only Canadian city to have ever hosted the said event. It also hosted the 1967 International and Universal Exposition and regularly hosts the Canadian Grand Prix – Formula One event. This should give you an idea of just how remarkable this place is and what you can expect from your experience there.
Plus, the filmmaker-friendly policies of the local government have allowed the city’s entertainment industry to flourish. With so many iconic titles to their credit already, who’s to say that your project can’t be the next big thing to be associated with Montreal? And with tons of filming venues and studios that you can rent for your project, you won’t have any trouble picking whatever location works best for you. Choose the theme, ambiance, and setting accordingly – there’s no rush; you can browse through the list of premium filming destinations in the city on our platform and take your pick after a thorough review. Let Giggster handle your film venue scouting so you can focus on the script.