Kingston Film & Media

Kingston has built an impressive resumé as productions seek out its supportive production environment. Often called “The Limestone City” for its distinctive 19th-century buildings, Kingston has hosted a number of historical productions — but there’s much more to its production scene.

The historic downtown and contemporary suburban settings can stand in for many American locations across multiple decades, while the imposing Kingston Penitentiary (which ceased operating in 2013) has served as a striking backdrop for scenes in NBC/Peacock’s John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise, Netflix’s I Will Find You, Amazon Studios’ The Greatest, Paramount+’s Mayor of Kingstown, Star Trek: Discovery, and CBC’s Alias Grace.

Downtown Kingston has been transformed for period pieces in both film and television, including Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak (2015), which filmed in the historic Market Square. Shaftesbury’s Murdoch Mysteries has also filmed in Kingston several times — you can spot distinctive local architecture in past episodes, as well as the SS Keewatin, the world’s last remaining Titanic-era passenger liner, permanently docked on Kingston’s waterfront.

Productions aren’t limited to the downtown core. To the east, Kingston features a historic military fort dating back to the War of 1812. Located at the confluence of the St. Lawrence River, Rideau Canal, and Lake Ontario, the city also boasts multiple harbors and marinas. Surrounded by farmland and small towns — and close to the world-famous Thousand Islands — Kingston is centrally located between Toronto and Montreal, offering a number of perks for incoming productions.

Kingston Film & Media helps productions find ideal locations, facilitate permits, and connect with local services. It also offers incentives to support independent productions.

Kingston also has a vibrant local film community. Masterpiece, a dramedy by Evan Bard starring Michala Brasseur (Shoresy) and produced by a local team with a majority-local crew, debuted at the 2024 Kingston Canadian Film Festival. The film is set for a wider theatrical release in fall 2025.

Kingston Film & Media also collaborates with Queen’s University’s Department of Film and Media on professional development and work placement opportunities.

With an animation studio on the way and the city actively exploring options for purpose-built studios, Kingston currently offers a range of venues suitable for small- and medium-sized productions — including warehouse spaces, airport hangars, and other commercial properties.

The Kingston Film & Media team is ready to assist producers with incentives, location tours, and coordination of talent and resources.