Two Filmmakers Flock to P.E.I., Spurring a Mini-Boom in Local Film Industry
When Jenna MacMillan departed from Prince Edward Island to pursue her film education in Toronto, she intended to return all along.
Now she has. After accumulating 10 years of production experience, MacMillan is taking on the roles of director and executive producer for the most recent film to be shot on the island.
The Snake.
For me, it was simply a clear choice as the location.
The Snake
She mentioned about Prince Edward Island, saying, ‘It’s absolutely amazing to be able to work from my home here and to have such an opportunity.’
MacMillan mentioned that since she grew up on Prince Edward Island, she recalls the TV show.
Emily of New Moon
being recorded within the province.
“When I was growing up, there was aactive tax credit in place, which made me decide to pursue university education in film,” she explained.
It’s truly amazing that this choice will be accessible to the next generation and the future versions of ourselves around the globe. Even here on this movie set, we have budding filmmakers who wish to remain in Prince Edward Island—now they actually have an opportunity to do so.
Over the last several years, numerous film initiatives have emerged from Prince Edward Island, spanning from short films to feature-length productions.
As
The Snake
finishes shooting, and another is set to start soon.
“Absolutely crucial is the fact that whenever a film production takes place, another should be lined up right after,” MacMillan stated.
Currently, the best part is that you have the flexibility to work here and transition between projects as needed.
‘The Other Face of the Isle’
Blind Owl
is scheduled to start shooting within the coming week. This film is a psychological thriller adapted from a Persian-language novel with the same title.
The filmmaker Mostafa Keshveri, who wrote, produced, and directed the movie, mentioned that working on this project in Prince Edward Island offered fresh chances to showcase diversity in filmmaking.
The camera needs to depict the community where we reside, and up until now, this hasn’t been achieved for P.E.I.,” Keshveri stated. “Unity makes us strong, and I believe that embracing diversity significantly aids in broadening horizons and making the films more authentic for viewers as well.
He mentioned that he has witnessed several excellent movies produced in P.E.I., though a lot of these films cater primarily to viewers from the area.
He mentioned, ‘We believed we could attract a broader international audience to view Prince Edward Island from another perspective.’ There’s an extensive reservoir of undiscovered talent here, so our aim was to showcase a distinct aspect of the island—beyond its usual image.
Anne of Green Gables
side.”
The Seacow Head Lighthouse serves as the main filming site for
Blind Owl
, with some shooting also occurring at Island Hill Farm, Keshveri mentioned.
He mentioned that since the movie is based on a well-known book, he aims for the adaptation to draw visitors to Prince Edward Island. He particularly wants this to boost tourism during autumn, especially around Halloween.
“He expressed his hope that visitors will discover a more somber aspect of the Island.” He further noted that although Prince Edward Island can be inviting and friendly, it also has an intriguing edge.
“We’ve made it onto the map”: Film P.E.I.
The distinctive appearance of the province is among the elements that attract filmmakers to the Island, stated Rob Riselli, who serves as the executive director of Film P.E.I.
He mentioned that when selecting a filming location, it ultimately depends on whether the setting matches the screenplay.
Places such as Charlottetown, Summerside, and North Rustico make ideal settings for Hallmark Channel productions, he noted, adding that the network has previously shot scenes in Canadian cities including Ottawa and Halifax.
Riselli mentioned that the combination of suburban houses alongside older turn-of-the-century homes makes the area particularly appealing as a filming location for directors seeking a particular type of setting.
He remarked, ‘We won’t resemble New York City in 2025, but we could definitely emulate New York City around 1895,’ highlighting that the scarcity of utility poles in the region makes it an ideal setting for tales from the 19th century or before.
With projects like
Blind Owl
and
The Snake
Riselli mentioned that filming back-to-back, he can observe the growth of the industry.
There has been a slight increase lately, which is fantastic news,” he stated. “We’re making progress and gaining visibility, yet it’s happening gradually and will require more time.
Enhanced training
Riselli mentioned that the surge in projects is beneficial for local production teams, but Film P.E.I. aims to have more training chances available locally. This applies not only to performers and filmmakers, he added.
Riselli suggested that improving training across all areas of film production—from carpentry and painting to hairstyling and makeup application, as well as transport coordination—could strengthen the island’s filmmaking sector.
In an emailed statement, UPEI mentioned that they have no intentions to launch a filmmaking program. However, they do provide courses that involve the utilization of digital media platforms along with tools like video cameras.
A provincial representative mentioned that programs such as Holland College’s animation course also provide chances for students to acquire film-associated abilities.
Provincial officials stated that they intend to keep offering rebates for filmmakers, with the amount varying based on their expenditure towards hiring local workers from the island.