The Power of Film in Tourism
Film and television productions do more than bring stories to life on screen. In Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola region, they generate local economic benefits, showcase our landscapes to global audiences, and inspire future visitors to explore the places they’ve seen on screen.
When people think about tourism, they often picture visitors exploring local attractions, attending events, and experiencing all that a destination has to offer. What is less often considered is the powerful role that film and television play in introducing places to new audiences around the world. The Thompson-Nicola Film Commission (TNFC) works to attract and support film, television, commercial, and digital media productions throughout the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD). While our primary focus is serving the screen industry, the benefits extend far beyond the cameras, generating economic activity, showcasing our region's unique landscapes and communities, and inspiring future visitors to discover the region for themselves.
A Growing Film Industry in the Thompson-Nicola
The past year was marked by significant growth and development in the local film sector, with 28 productions filmed across the region in 2025, more than double the 12 productions recorded in 2024. These projects, ranging from feature films and commercials to television episodes, web series, and locally produced content, generated an estimated $4.5 million in direct spending that benefited accommodations, restaurants, transportation providers, and other local businesses. Interest in filming in the region also continued to grow, with the TNFC receiving 95 project inquiries in 2025 compared to 75 in 2024, reflecting increased interest in the Thompson-Nicola within the screen industry. This growing reputation was further reinforced when Kamloops was named one of MovieMaker Magazine's Top Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting the region's diverse locations, experienced crews, and supportive communities.
From the Screen to a Global Audience
Beyond the immediate economic impact, every production filmed here helps showcase our region to audiences around the world. A recent example of this impact is the recent Netflix production, My Secret Santa, which was filmed entirely within the TNRD. The film went on to become the #1 movie on Netflix for a week, remained in the Top 10 for four weeks, and generated an impressive 41.7 million views worldwide. Not only did the production bring direct economic benefits to the region during filming, but it also showcased our landscapes and communities to a global audience. In a meaningful nod to our tourism sector, Sun Peaks Resort was named directly in the film, providing invaluable destination exposure.
Turning Screen Time Into Travel
Beyond the direct benefits of production activity, film and television help attract future visitors through screen tourism, or "set-jetting," as audiences seek out destinations showcased in their favourite productions. From iconic locations around the world to destinations closer to home, visitors are increasingly inspired to explore places they've seen on screen. In the TNRD, the TNFC supports this trend through its Movie Locations Map, which helps residents and visitors discover local filming locations, experience the region through a new lens, and connect with the stories filmed here.
Bringing Film and Tourism Together
Tourism and film are natural partners, both rooted in storytelling, creating memorable experiences, and showcasing the unique character of a place. By attracting productions, we're not only generating short-term economic benefits, but we’re also creating opportunities for future tourism and long-term destination awareness. As we look ahead, the continued growth of the screen industry presents exciting opportunities for collaboration between tourism, film, and local businesses. Together, we can continue to share the story of Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola region with audiences around the world.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is Kamloops and surrounding communities’ champion for enticing productions to the area. Terri Hadwin, Regional Film Commissioner, and her team are often a first touch-point when a production is scouting for locations to be utilized for commercials, television, films, etc… They support productions by showcasing locations that are known to be film friendly in their digital library called “Reelscout,” a software program used by scouts worldwide. They assist with various other logistics such as finding local cast and crew, finding local support services, applying for appropriate permits and anything else that can be of assistance while productions are filming in the region. It is their mandate to make filming here as seamless as possible so that they want to return again and again, and also to ensure our locations are protected and want film to continue to return.
How Local Businesses Can Get Involved
If you are interested in listing your property/business in the locations database, you can reach out to the film commission to find out more of what this entails. Follow them on their social channels and subscribe to their monthly enewsletter to watch for “location call outs” and “background casting calls” as well as announcements of projects being released that have filmed in the area.
