When production companies look for filming locations, they often default to major urban centres. But increasingly, producers are discovering the strategic advantages of filming in smaller, well-connected communities like Pembroke.
Located just 90 minutes from Ottawa along Highway 17, Pembroke offers the accessibility production teams need, without the congestion, permit delays, and high costs that can complicate filming in larger cities.
Diverse backdrops without the set build
Pembroke’s greatest asset for filmmakers is its authentic variety of settings within minutes of each other. A historic downtown core, waterfront views along the Ottawa River, industrial parks, charming residential neighbourhoods and rural roads and forested landscapes. With immediate access to iconic outdoor landscapes such as Algonquin Provincial Park, the world-class rapids of the Ottawa River Whitewater, and the unique formations of the Bonnechere Caves, Pembroke places dramatic scenery within easy reach. Productions can capture multiple looks in a single day without relocating hours away.
That kind of efficiency translates directly into cost savings.
A growing media presence
Pembroke is also home to Indigenous Geographic, a nationally recognized Indigenous-led media and storytelling organization producing documentary content, branded productions, and cultural storytelling across Canada.
Having an established media organization based locally signals something important: Pembroke is not just a backdrop, it’s a place where professional content is actively being created. The presence of Indigenous Geographic brings production expertise, creative talent, and industry credibility to the region.
For companies seeking authentic storytelling, diverse perspectives, and meaningful collaboration, this local capacity adds another layer of opportunity. It positions Pembroke not only as a filming location, but as part of a broader creative ecosystem in Eastern Ontario.
Streamlined municipal support
In larger centres, filming logistics can become layered and time-consuming. In Pembroke, production teams benefit from direct access to municipal staff and a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach.
We understand that filming schedules are tight. Our team works proactively to coordinate permits, road access, and municipal services so production crews can focus on what they do best. Fewer bureaucratic layers mean quicker decisions and clearer communication.
Lower production costs
Filming in Pembroke can significantly reduce overhead expenses. Location fees, accommodations, parking, and site access are typically more affordable than in major urban markets. Crews also benefit from shorter travel times between sites, reducing daily transport costs and maximizing shoot time.
For productions operating within tight budgets, those efficiencies matter.
Space to create
Large equipment setups, transport trucks, staging areas, and base camps are easier to accommodate in a community where space is not at a premium. Whether a production requires industrial settings, open land, or flexible staging areas, Pembroke offers the physical capacity that larger cities increasingly struggle to provide.
Big potential, small-city efficiency
For companies based in Ottawa or elsewhere in Eastern Ontario, filming in Pembroke offers the best of both worlds: proximity to major markets and the efficiency of a mid-sized city ready to collaborate.
As content creation continues to expand, from corporate videos to commercial campaigns and documentary productions, companies are rethinking where they film. Increasingly, the answer isn’t the biggest city available. It’s the smartest location available.
Pembroke is ready when you are.
Author bio
Kathleen Barr is the Investment Attraction Officer with the City of Pembroke’s Economic Development department, which works to support local businesses, attract new investment, and drive sustainable economic growth. The department takes a collaborative, community-focused approach to showcasing Pembroke as a place where businesses can grow, invest, and succeed
