Durham Region residents and business owners will soon have the opportunity to learn how their properties could become part of the film and television industry through an upcoming Film Durham Locations Seminar.
The free event will take place on April 14, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Parkwood Estate National Historic Site in Oshawa.
Durham Region has become an increasingly popular destination for film and television productions in recent years. The region’s mix of urban streets, historic homes, industrial areas and natural landscapes has attracted a growing number of production companies looking for unique filming locations.
To help property owners understand how they can participate in the industry, Film Durham and the region’s municipal film offices are hosting the seminar to explain the process of turning homes or businesses into film-ready spaces.
During the session, participants will learn about the basic requirements film productions look for when selecting locations and how property owners can market their spaces to location scouts.
The seminar will also cover how location scouts identify potential filming sites and what property owners should expect during site visits. Industry experts will explain how homes or businesses can be prepared before a production crew arrives and how filming activities are typically managed on site.
Another key topic will be protecting properties during filming, including how film companies are responsible for maintaining locations and addressing any potential damage.
Attendees will also learn about the process of registering properties in the Film Durham and Ontario Creates digital location libraries, which are used by production companies when searching for filming locations.
According to organizers, properties do not need to be perfect to attract interest from filmmakers. Instead, production companies often look for locations with character, personality and flexibility that can fit the creative needs of a production.
Durham Region continues to expand its reputation as a filming destination thanks to its growing infrastructure, studio spaces and diverse locations.
Film productions bring economic benefits to the region by supporting local businesses, hiring regional workers and generating tourism interest in communities where films and television series are shot.
Organizers say the seminar is designed to help residents and business owners better understand how they can participate in this growing industry.
The event will be held in The Sunroom at Parkwood Estate, located at 270 Simcoe Street North in Oshawa, and light refreshments will be provided for attendees.
Because seating is limited, participants are encouraged to register in advance through Film Durham’s Eventbrite page.
More information about Durham Region’s film and television industry is available through Invest Durham’s film industry resources.
