Film Permits + Contacts

1. What is the B.C. Film Location Policy?
The B.C. Film Location policy is a high-level framework to guide the Province of B.C.‘s interactions with the motion picture industry when issuing approvals of filming activity in provincially managed locations. It outlines what the motion picture industry can expect when engaging with the Province, and what is expected of them.

2. When does this policy apply?
This policy applies when productions films in locations managed by the Province or a provincial agency. 94% of all land in B.C. requires provincial permission for commercial activity. This is referred to as “Crown land” and is managed by the provincial government.

3. When does this policy not apply?
The policy does not apply to locations:

• Within Community Land, formerly known as Reserve land.
• Managed by municipalities
• On private property (i.e. a business or residence)

4. What is the Provincial Film Commission’s role?
The Provincial Film Commission promotes and facilitates the province’s production capabilities that make B.C. both a global centre of creative excellence and a full-service hub. The team assists in consultation and collaboration across all levels of government, industry, and community. As a first point of contact, the team helps address industry questions and addresses issues related to policy, permits and community relations. The Provincial Film Commission has no authority over provincial agencies. It can seek to mediate a solution between the agencies and productions.

5. How do I get a permit to film in a provincially managed location?You need to apply through the provincial agency responsible for the location. Not seeing the provincial agency you are looking for? Contact the Provincial Film Commission at filmcommission@creativebc.com.

6. How long will it take to process my application?
The approval process will vary depending on the jurisdiction, complexity and scope of your request. For example, the permitting requirements to film a car crash on Lions Gate Bridge is more complex than filming documentary footage in a provincial park. Review the relevant provincial agency’s guidelines so that you understand the process.

 7. What can I do to make the application process easier?
You should submit your application as early as possible. If you have a time-sensitive issue with your permit application, contact the Provincial Film Commission at filmcommission@creativebc.com.

 8. What can I do if the provincial agency isn’t starting from an attitude of yes? How can I get them to work with me to find creative solutions?
The B.C. Film Location Policy includes a commitment to start with an attitude of “yes”. This policy guides their interactions with the film industry. It does not, however, guarantee approval of your request. You can ask the Provincial Film Commission for guidance or support. The Provincial Film Commission can liaise with both parties to help find a solution.

 9. What can I do if I didn’t receive a clear rationale for why my application was rejected?
If you don’t understand the rationale for a decision you may raise your concerns with the Provincial Film Commission. They can help liaise with the provincial agency to seek a better understanding.

10. Where can I find information about permitting fees?
The policy allows each provincial agency to set their own service standards, including fees, based on various factors such as the complexity of the request, timelines and impact (if any) on the location itself. Contact the relevant provincial agency to learn more about its fees.

11. What are a production’s responsibilities when it comes to Indigenous Engagement? What do I need to do to apply for a provincial permit?
It is the responsibility of the provincial agency reviewing the filming request to determine whether the legal duty to consult has been triggered, and if so direct the production to conduct the formal consultation if communication is determined to be appropriate. Productions must follow any directions from the provincial agency. Productions should follow best practices of becoming familiar with local protocols and engaging early with the relevant Indigenous governing bodies to gauge support for the project, mitigate issues and identify economic opportunities. For example, if you know which Indigenous governing body to connect with, you can start the process before the application process begins.

12. When are productions required to consult with local Indigenous governing bodies?
It is the responsibility of the provincial agency reviewing the filming request to determine whether the legal duty to consult has been triggered, and if so, that consultation happens as required. For more information, see Question 14 on the duty to consult. While the Province is responsible for ensuring adequate and appropriate consultation and accommodation, it may involve the production in the procedural aspects of consultation. Any requirements will be communicated after you file your permit application.

 13. What does “duty to consult” mean?The Province is legally obligated to consult, and accommodate (where required) when authorizing filming in a location where:

• one or more Indigenous governing bodies have claimed or proven rights (including title), or treaty rights, and
• the planned filming activities may impact the ability of Indigenous people to exercise their rights.

14. How do I know which Indigenous governing body I should engage with for a location?
When you apply, the provincial agency will direct you to the appropriate Indigenous governing bodies for that location. Ask the regional film commissioner which Indigenous governing bodies have territories in the area of the location you are considering. Check out the First Nations Consultation Areas Map.

 15. What are best practices engaging with Indigenous governing bodies in B.C.?
If consultation is required, it is important to engage early with the relevant Indigenous governing bodies to gauge support for the project, mitigate issues and identify economic opportunities. Engaging early provides the Indigenous governing body with adequate time to consider the request and provide feedback.

It also lays the foundation for the provincial Statutory Decision Maker to conduct formal consultation and decide on the permit application. Best practices include:

1. Reach out to the relevant regional film commissioner for any information they may have about protocols and relationship building suggestions.
2. Understand the local protocols before reaching out. This will help build a more positive relationship and result in a more successful interaction. Examples of protocols can include land acknowledgements, manners, host-guest responsibilities.
3. Provide the Indigenous governing body with information on the proposed activity and seek feedback.
4. Identify economic or community opportunities.
5. Consider hiring an Indigenous community liaison.

Indigenous peoples have lived in the geographic area that we now know as B.C. since time immemorial. Indigenous peoples in B.C. remain the custodians of their territories, possessing Aboriginal rights, including Aboriginal title and treaty rights (including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples), which are set out and confirmed through both the Constitution Acts of 1867 and 1982, modern and historical treaties and a series of successive court decisions. B.C. is Canada’s first province to put the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into law, implementing the Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in 2019.

Outside of municipal boundaries, 94% of all land is Crown land (including land covered by rivers or lakes) and managed by the provincial government. Crown land is available to the public for many different purposes – industry, research, recreation – and generally requires a permit when used for commercial activity, including filming. When applying for a film permit, Applicants should be aware of the Province’s consultation obligations with First Nations and associated time requirements for meaningful consultation.

Formal consultation with Indigenous peoples, when required, is the responsibility of the provincial government as the Statutory Decision Maker. However, before applying for a permit, it’s important for the production to reach out to the impacted Indigenous community(s) prior to submitting a permit application to the Province through FrontCounterBC. The first step is to advise the Indigenous community(s) early of your filming plans and determine if they have any concerns. A face-to-face meeting is preferred for this stage in the consultation and engagement process, but as a temporary measure in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on First Nations, the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation has provided guidance on how to approach consultations with First Nations and Indigenous organizations during this time. After you initiate contact, understand that every Nation has its own unique protocols and governance structures.

In order to determine the territory of the First Nation (or Nations; there may be more than one) where you are filming, consult the Consultation Areas Database. If you require assistance, you can reach out direct to staff in the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation at 1-800 880-1022 (Toll free) or by email at: IRRInfo@gov.bc.ca You can also locate further information, including contact information, regional locations, and other helpful resources on the B.C. government’s listing of all First Nations in B.C.

Other resources include:

Consulting with First Nations
Relationships with First Nations
Crown Land Use - Film
ImagineNATIVE Publications

Filming in the ALR

Filming on location within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is subject to agricultural land use regulation and the Agricultural Land Commission’s policies supporting the province’s agricultural capacity. Film production is a non-farm use that is considered an event by the ALC, and therefore included in Policy L-22 Activities Designated as a Permitted Non-Farm Use: Gathering for an Event in the Agricultural Land Reserve, which allows up to 10 events on a property in a calendar year.

The ALC and Creative BC have agreed to a pilot initiative that facilitates NFU applications by landowners to have more filming on their property beyond Policy L-22 stipulations.

For more information, please contact the Motion Picture Industry + Community Affairs team or the relevant municipal film office.

BC Ferries

Filming is welcome in terminals, on board ferries while the vessel is on a regular schedule sailing, or on board a vessel that is in dock. For safety reasons, productions will not be able to film on the bridge when the vessel is in service.

For more information and to submit a request, please visit the BC Ferries – Film Production Request page.

BC Highways

Productions must apply to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for a Highway Use permit to film on or along a provincial highway right-of-way or side road. The type of activity and impacts can affect timelines to process permits. Traffic management must be in accordance with legislation, regulations and bylaws.

See the Highway Use Permit – Filming webpage for Activity Impact Definitions, application & checklist forms, insurance requirements, contact information and other details.

BC Housing

S?miq????el? (pronounced suh-mEE-kwuh EL-uh) – meaning Place of the Great Blue Heron – is within the ancestral and core territory of k?ik?????m First Nation. This 244-acre site, formerly named Riverview, is home to several of B.C.’s mental health and substance use programs and a unique ecosystem of trees, plants and wildlife. BC Housing permits filming that fits its core values and is mindful and sensitive to its clientele, programming and staff needs.

For more information regarding filming contact form, filming sites rules, insurance requirements and other details, please visit Filming Opportunities at S?miq????el? .

BC Hydro

Consideration of requests for filming at BC Hydro facilities is balanced with operational requirements, infrastructure responsibilities and safety. Guidelines, BC Hydro’s online application form and contact info for the liaison contractor can be found on the Filming at BC Hydro facilities page of the website.

BC Parks

BC Parks is dedicated to protecting the province’s world class natural environments for inspiration, use and enjoyment of the public. To support the film production industry while safeguarding the integrity of the environment and park, BC Parks has a Commercial Filming in Parks and Protected Areas webpage with Policy, Guidelines and the Filming Conditions and Parks Contacts Document outlining permit requirements and direct those wishing to film within the provincial protected areas system.

Please Note – prior to submitting an application through the Natural Resource Online Services portal managed by FrontConter BC, all filming applicants must consult with the appropriate BC Parks Area Supervisor to assess the viability of proposed filming activities. The Area Supervisors responsible for specific parks and their contact information are listed in the Filming Conditions and Parks Contacts document.

Ministry of Citizens Services

Responsible for provincially owned and leased real estate property, Citizens Services manages filming requests for all properties in the province-wide portfolio, including courthouses. Please contact EventAndFilmRequests@gov.bc.ca with filming enquiries.

Filming on Crown Land

Through the Ministry of Forests, Crown land is available for motion picture production, as well as still photography for commercial, educational and promotional purposes. Please read the Province’s Land Use – film page to understand types of tenure and applicant eligibility.

Please Note – prior to submitting an application through the Natural Resource Online Services portal, Applicants should contact the FrontCounter BC office nearest to the filming location as early as possible to determine feasibility, additional considerations specific to their application, and associated processing time frames, which may differ by region and office.

Rec Sites & Trails

Through the Ministry of Forests, Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. (RSTBC) provides public recreation opportunities by developing, maintaining and managing a network of recreation sites and recreation trails throughout the province.  Filming may first require a crown land tenure; best practice is to direct initial enquiry to the local FrontCounter BC office to determine responsibility for engagement with the relevant Recreation District officer.

For more information, RSTBC’s Authorizations page includes a link to the Applicant Information guide, which identifies filming as a business use, and link to application form.

TransLink

TransLink is keen to support the motion picture industry by licensing its unique and iconic fleet and locations, while continuing to deliver safe and reliable transit operations to Metro Vancouver.  All instances of filming or photography on or near TransLink property or vehicles must obtain TransLink’s written approval prior to the activity.

TransLink has developed a Film and Photography Guide to provide insight into available locations and the application process.  For Limits of Approach for SkyTrain and the online application form, visit TransLink Commercial Partnerships.

Regional Transit Systems – For filming requests on BC Transit property (i.e. public transportation outside of Metro Vancouver), contact the relevant regional film commission and local or regional government.

Regional Film Commissions are committed to providing excellent support and service to productions taking advantage of the diverse and spectacular locations British Columbia has to offer.

Each regional film commission are experts in their area and provides on-the-ground assistance with scouting, surveys and access to locations. They provide vital resources to producers taking advantage of the B.C. Regional Tax Credit, making working outside the zone creatively rewarding as well as cost-effective.

Transport Canada

Transport Canada is responsible for Air, Marine, Rail and Road Transportation in Canada. The Department approves any aircraft use, including helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, and drones [also known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)].

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

DFO Safeguards Canadian waters and helps to ensure healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems through habitat protection and management of fisheries and oceans resources.

• On the Water Lighthouses, navigation and marine conditions, search and rescue, and small craft harbours.
• Canadian Coast Guard Special operating agency within Fisheries and Oceans Canada that ensures the safety of mariners and maritime trade in Canadian waters and protect Canada’s marine environment and national security.
• Manages a Fleet of marine vessels and helicopters.

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Protects and conserves natural heritage of Canada, overseas habitat protection and environmental sustainability. Portfolio and services include:

• Wildlife, plants and species Wildlife import/export permits.
• Parks Canada Filming in National Parks and select National Historic Sites, including heritage lighthouses

For additional government contacts, please use the Knowledge Hub.

Ports

British Columbia offers a range of airport and seaport locations, most of which are operated by a locally based authority. For example, seaports in Vancouver, Fraser River, North Fraser, and Prince Rupert are the responsibility of the regional port authorities.

• Port Alberni Port Authority –  For more information and before connecting to the Port, please contact the Vancouver Island North Film Commission.
• Port of Nanaimo –  For more information and before connecting to the Port, please contact the Vancouver Island North Film Commission.
• Prince Rupert Port Authority – For more information and before connecting to the Port, please contact the Northern BC Tourism Association.
• Port of Vancouver (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)

Airports

Various airports offer filming locations, including Vancouver International (YVR).  A full list of certified airports in British Columbia can be found here.

For more information and before connecting to the airport, please contact the relevant regional film commission.