For Ottawa’s film commissioner, Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos, who heads the Ottawa Film Office, said she’s anticipating a “record year” for the number of holiday movies filmed in the nation’s capital this year.
“I can’t give you specific numbers because those are delivered to the City of Ottawa in our annual report [in December], but we are going to beat last year,” she said in an interview with the Ottawa Compass.
In 2024, there were seven movies filmed in Ottawa, most of which aired on the Hallmark or W channels. However, the Netflix product Hot Frosty, which rocketed to the top of Canadian streaming charts last year, was also filmed in the nation’s capital and surrounding communities, like Brockville and Pakenham.
Over many years, Ottawa has become a frequent backdrop for the genre of Christmas movies often associated with Hallmark, as well as other holiday flicks.
“Ottawa is one of a kind,” said Pechels de Saint Sardos. “To have a chateau downtown, it’s very unique. So, I think that’s what attracts filmmakers because the locations are splendid and very versatile.”
“They can work very well as a history piece or Christmas movie, but it can also double for New York, Boston and Philadelphia.”
The film commissioner also identified the Rideau Canal and Byward Market, along with the promenade on Sparks Street as marquee settings for Christmas movies produced in Ottawa, which she said helps attract filmmakers from across the country and south of the border.
“We also have nice tax incentives against labour expenses [in Ottawa],” she continued. “About 45 per cent [of costs] are refundable against labour and other expenses, so it’s a great deal.”
“Because, ultimately, the mission and goal of the Ottawa Film Office is to attract filmmakers from Los Angeles, filmmakers from the U.S., but also filmmakers from Toronto or any other non-Ottawa producers to come and spend money.”
Pechels de Saint Sardos has served as the city’s film commissioner since 2022. The Ottawa Film Office is a non-profit organization funded by the municipality tasked with representing the nation’s capital and all Ontario communities located within the Greater Ottawa area.
