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Resource Hub: Becoming a Film Liaison for your Community
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This Resource Hub is designed to provide municipalities with the information and tools needed to confidently respond when a production inquiry comes in and help create a positive filming experience for everyone involved.
Film and television productions can bring economic activity, showcase local communities, and create opportunities for Saskatchewan residents and businesses. Whether a production is looking to film in a community hall, along a rural road, at a local coffee shop, or on a picturesque main street, municipalities often play an important role in helping make those connections.
Developed by Creative Saskatchewan, the provincial Film Commission, this Resource Hub supports municipal staff, elected officials, economic development professionals, and community representatives in understanding the filming process and responding effectively to production inquiries.
No film industry experience is required. In many communities, filming inquiries happen only occasionally and are often managed alongside other responsibilities. This guide provides an overview of how productions operate, what they may ask for, and practical steps to help facilitate filming in your community.
By working together, Saskatchewan communities can help create a welcoming, consistent, and professional experience for productions while ensuring local interests and priorities are respected.
Section 1: Filming 101
Film productions come in many shapes and sizes, from small documentary crews to big budget feature length films. Saskatchewan’s diverse landscapes, communities, businesses, and people make this province an attractive and unique filming destination. Productions may be interested in filming anywhere from a quiet rural road or vibrant canola field to a community hall, local business, or historic main street.
Municipalities are partners in the filming process.
Productions rely on local knowledge and community connections to help identify opportunities, navigate requirements, and build positive relationships.
Want to learn more about how productions operate? Check out our Guides to Filming in Saskatchewan.
While some projects are planned months in advance, filming schedules can change quickly. Productions may occasionally require information or approvals on shorter timelines than other industries.
Section 2: Supporting Productions Effectively
What Does It Mean to Be Film-Friendly?
Being film-friendly means welcoming filming opportunities by providing clear communication, connecting productions with the right contacts, and working collaboratively to navigate local requirements.
It also means helping productions access the services and resources they need to operate successfully, whether that includes accommodations, catering, transportation, equipment rentals, local crews, or other community businesses.
Being film-friendly does not mean saying “yes” to every request. It means helping productions understand what is possible in your community identifying practical solutions that support both production needs and community interests.
Because production timelines can move quickly, timely responses and early communication can be especially helpful in determining whether a community is a suitable fit for a project. Unlike many traditional economic development projects that take years to plan and deliver economic benefits, film productions can bring substantial local spending to a community within a matter of weeks. To attract and support these opportunities, municipalities must be prepared to respond quickly and, where possible, expedite approvals and permitting processes to align with production schedules.
What Productions May Ask For:
Depending on the size and scope of a project, productions may request:
- Access to Municipal Property
- Road Use
- Parking
- Community Facilities
- Public Works Support
- Community Notifications
- Emergency Service Coordination
Not every production will require all of these services. Requests will vary based on the location, duration, and needs of the project. Most requests are temporary and will be discussed well in advance whenever possible. While every production and community is different, these shared expectations help create a consistent experience across Saskatchewan. Successful productions are built on communication, collaboration, and mutual respect.
Municipalities Can Expect Productions To:
- Communicate early and seek fast responses
- Carry insurance
- Respect bylaws
- Provide a point of contact
- Leave locations in good condition
Productions Can Expect Municipalities To:
- Be prepared to respond on an expedited basis, as filming opportunities can be lost when decisions are delayed.
- Communicate requirements clearly
- Connect them with appropriate contacts
- Raise concerns early
- Work collaboratively
Section 3: Becoming a Film Liaison for Your Community
What is a Film Liaison?
A Film Liaison is the local point of contact for filming inquiries within a community. The role of a Film Liaison is to help connect productions with the appropriate municipal departments, community contacts, local resources, and information needed to support filming activities. Acting as the municipality’s primary contact for a visiting production, the Film Liaison serves as a central coordinator between productions, municipal departments, and other community stakeholders. They do more than facilitate introductions: they help guide projects through municipal processes, coordinate communication, address questions and concerns, and translate the needs and expectations of both productions and municipalities to help keep projects moving forward efficiently.
A Film Liaison does not need to be a film expert. In many Saskatchewan communities, this role may be assigned to a municipal administrator, economic development professional, tourism representative, or another community contact.
Who Should Be a Film Liason?
The most effective Film Liaisons are trusted communicators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who are comfortable working in fast-paced environments. A Film Liaison may be:
- A municipal administrator
- A Chief Administrative Officer
- An economic development professional
- A tourism representative
- Another designated community contact
When a Production Calls
Gather the following information:
- Contact name
- Production company
- Proposed filming dates
- Requested location(s)
- Number of cast and crew
- Potential impacts on the community
- Any municipal services or support being requested
Having this information early can help identify any approvals, considerations, or internal departments that may need to be involved.
Next Steps
- Identify Required Approvals
Determine whether any municipal approvals, permits, permissions, or facility bookings may be required. - Notify Relevant Departments
Depending on the request, this may include:- Public Works
- Recreation
- Protective Services
- Administration
- Council or designated decision-makers
- Keep Communication Flowing
Maintain a clear line of communication between the production and municipal contacts throughout the process. Early communication helps prevent misunderstandings and allows everyone to work together toward a successful outcome.
We’re here to help!
Creative Saskatchewan is available to support municipalities throughout the filming process.
Whether you have questions about industry practices, production requests, location suitability, or filming logistics, our team can help connect you with the information and resources you need.
Helpful Templates
- Film Inquiry Intake Form
- Municipal Filming Checklist
- Community Notification Template
- Sample Location Agreement
Every community doesn’t need a film office. But, every community can benefit from having a film liaison.
Whether filming happens once a month or every couple of years, having a designated local contact helps create a welcoming, consistent, and professional experience for productions considering Saskatchewan.
You do not need film industry experience to become a Film Liaison. The role is simply to serve as a local contact and connector when filming inquiries arise.
Why Register?
As a Film Liaison, you can help:
- Showcase your community as a filming destination
- Connect productions with local businesses and resources
- Support a consistent, film-friendly experience across Saskatchewan
- Ensure productions have a local point of contact when questions arise
- Receive filming inquiries for your community
Section 4: Benefits to Your Community
Film and television productions generate economic activity and create opportunities for local businesses, residents, and service providers.
Depending on the size of the production, spending may include accommodations, food services, fuel, transportation, rentals, construction materials, local labour, and other community services.
Productions showcase Saskatchewan communities to audiences around the world while creating new business and tourism opportunities.
Even small productions generate spending at local accommodations, restaurants, fuel stations, and other businesses within a community.
Explore Saskatchewan film industry impacts and success stories: Film Metrics in Saskatchewan
Ready to Get Started?
Register today and help put your community on the map.
Film Liason Registration Form
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