From Backdrop to Spotlight: Vancouver’s Cinematic Rise

^{Photo: Brandon Quiroga Montoya}

​There's a myriad of reasons fans enjoy visiting iconic filming locations. To see what it looks like in real life, as opposed to through a screen. To enjoy the sense of nostalgia that comes with standing in the same location as a movie you watched religiously as a child. To walk in the steps of famous actors and iconic characters. Or to, quite simply, take a cool photo.

Film and TV feels worlds apart from your lived reality when sat in front of a screen, which is exactly why visiting these locations – and bridging the gaps between those two worlds – feels all the more exciting. A 2023 study found that 78% of travellers are likely or very likely to opt for TV- or movie-themed trips with the most common reason to engage in film tourism being the immersive nature of the experience.

Known as Hollywood North by those in the production world, Vancouver and its surrounding areas are popular filming destinations with many shows and movies produced in the province becoming staples in popular culture, such as Twilight, Happy Gilmore, Deadpool, Final Destination, Riverdale and The X Files. To make film tourism easier for film and TV buffs flocking to the city and the Greater Vancouver area, BC Film Commission, Creative BC, Screen BC and several local destinations across Vancouver’s Lower Mainland have banded together to launch an innovative new digital platform, Cineventure.

Transforming the Canadian province's most iconic filming locations into immersive tourism experiences, fans can now explore filming locations from beloved productions. LBB’s April Summers talks to BC Film Commissioner, Marnie Gee about the enterprising aspects of Cineventure, its impact on both tourism and film, BC’s creative economy and broader creative ecosystem, and how it will strengthen motion picture production in the province.

LBB> British Columbia is known for its diverse landscapes, creative talent, and film-friendly infrastructure. What sets the province apart, and how does Cineventure highlight these distinctive qualities to both fans and the industry?

Marnie> What truly sets British Columbia apart is our remarkable versatility. Like a gifted character actor, our province possesses an uncanny ability to transform itself for any role required. Within a single day's journey, filmmakers can capture rugged coastlines, mountains, vibrant urban centres, valleys, and even desert landscapes. This chameleon-like quality has established BC as one of North America's largest production hubs.

Cineventure showcases this by inviting visitors to experience these transformations firsthand – whether it's the Japan in ‘Shōgun’ along our shorelines or the supernatural forests of ‘Twilight’ – through interactive routes that create tangible connections between fiction and the stunning landscapes that BC provides.

LBB> What inspired the creation of the Cineventure platform, and how do you envision it reshaping the way people experience these locations?

Marnie> Fans were already seeking out filming locations organically through blogs, forums, and local guides. There was clearly an appetite, but the infrastructure to truly enhance these experiences wasn't there. What makes this platform unique is that it transforms a fragmented activity into a comprehensive, curated experience through unprecedented collaboration between our film and tourism industries.

Cineventure reshapes location experiences by adding layers of context and storytelling through features like ReelView, which aligns production stills with actual locations. The platform also incorporates educational elements about local culture, Indigenous land acknowledgments, and environmental stewardship – ensuring visitors develop deeper appreciation for both the productions they love and our province's natural heritage.

LBB> As BC continues to be a leading hub for film production, how do you see Cineventure influencing the future of film tourism and attracting both local and international visitors to the province?

Marnie> Cineventure positions British Columbia at the forefront of global film tourism by showcasing our diverse productions and built with our partners, rather than building around a single franchise. For visitors, especially international ones, the platform offers compelling reasons to explore beyond Vancouver into communities throughout the province that have served as backdrops for beloved stories. By dispersing visitors across numerous locations and seasons, we're creating long-lasting tourism that celebrates BC's film legacy.

LBB> What role do local communities and filmmakers play in the development of Cineventure, and how has collaboration with stakeholders like Creative BC and Screen BC contributed to its success?

Marnie> Local communities and filmmakers are the heartbeat of Cineventure, and each route is developed in consultation with local stakeholders to ensure experiences are authentic and respectful. The collaboration with Screen BC and tourism partners has been essential in bringing a variety of important stakeholders to the table. With a shared vision, we're all celebrating what makes BC special!

LBB> Cineventure is not just about promoting tourism; it's also about engaging with fans of popular series like ‘Riverdale’ and ‘Twilight’. Can you explain how the platform balances these two interests – connecting fans with filming locations while driving local tourism and economic impact?

Marnie> Film tourists arrive with an established emotional connection to places through stories they love. When fans visit Jack's Bar from ‘Virgin River’ or forests from ‘Twilight’, they're stepping into worlds that already hold meaning for them. This typically translates to longer stays, deeper community engagement, and visits during shoulder seasons. Cineventure enhances this by guiding visitors to places they might never otherwise discover – a small-town café or ordinary streetscape made significant by a beloved scene – distributing tourism benefits to communities that may not typically see this type of visitor traffic.

LBB> Given that BC has long been a beloved location for major productions, how does Cineventure help to amplify the province's creative industries, and what opportunities does it present for emerging talent or independent filmmakers in the region?

Marnie> Cineventure transforms what was previously a temporary local economic boost from production into an enduring asset generating value long after filming wraps. While Cineventure is starting with recognisable productions, the platform roadmap aims to showcase BC's independent films and diverse talent. By raising awareness of British Columbia as a filming destination, we strengthen all segments of motion picture production – potentially leading to greater support for film-friendly policies, investment in production facilities, and collaborative projects benefiting emerging creators.

LBB> With Creative Industries Week approaching, how do you see events like this helping to elevate BC's creative sectors, and how does Cineventure tie into the ongoing celebration of BC's diverse creative economy?

Marnie> Creative Industries Week creates vital connections across BC's creative ecosystem. Cineventure is just one example of how we can connect and collaborate across sectors and this is just the beginning – season one, if you will – and we're excited to see this platform grow even further.