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LOCATION

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LOCATION INTERNATIONAL HAS TEAMED UP WITH FILM COMMISSIONS, LOCATION SCOUTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TO BRING IMAGES OF STUNNING LOCATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. SOME ARE WELL TRODDEN BY FILM CREWS, OTHERS ARE STILL TO BE MADE FAMOUS ON THE BIG AND SMALL SCREEN

El Villar Bridge, Lozoya River, Region of Madrid

El Villar Bridge is in the municipality of Robledillo de la Jara, in the north-east Sierra Norte area of the Madrid region. The Lozoya river has supplied Madrid with water from a number of reservoirs along its route since the mid-19th century. The location is surrounded by a striking landscape and has provided the perfect period location for many commercial and film shoots.
Photo, courtesy Film Madrid

Emma Gorge, Wilderness Park, Western Australia

Emma Gorge waterfall in El Questro Wilderness Park, Western Australia is a 65-metre droplet waterfall. Surrounded by cliffs and greenery, the vines and foliage give the impression of a small rainforest; Emma Gorge could be a secret paradise, a remote sanctuary, a jungle lagoon or an otherworldly backdrop. Located 100km from Kununurra, the site has nearby accommodation and a light airstrip. Kununurra is a direct flight from Perth or Melbourne and is experienced in hosting large-scale productions.
The feature film adaption of Australian musical Bran Nue Dae (2009) filmed in Emma Gorge and Baz Luhrmann's Australia (2008) included scenes shot in El Questro Wilderness Park.
Photo, Courtesy Alex Bell @SundaySunset Images

National Concert Hall, Taipei City, Taiwan

The National Theater and its companion venue the National Concert Hall face each other across a grand plaza which is completed by the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall on the eastern side. The National Concert Hall was built in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties and was completed in the late Eighties. This location is a busy cultural and tourist hub and has become one of the most instantly recognisable landmarks in Taipei City.
Feature films that have shot here include: GF*BF (2012) and X+Y (2015). TV series Fresh off the Boat (2015-2020) and music video My Love (2011) for Hebe Tien also used the location.
Photo, courtesy Taipei Culture Foundation - Taipei Film Commission.

Kappabashi Street, Tokyo, Japan

This area is said to have been used by a sole peddler 100 years ago, slowly developing into a street famous for kitchenware shops. Today it is Tokyo's largest shopping district for the food and beverage industry. It is located on a route that connects Ueno, Tokyo's terminal station, and Asakusa, home to Tokyo's oldest temple, with the Tokyo Sky Tree in the background, a real mixture of old and new.
Films shot in the district include: The Wolverine (2013), Shoplifters( 2018) and Sarazanmai (2019).
Photo, courtesy Woody Sato.

Molenbeek-Sait-Jean, Brussels

This picture features the canal that separates the City of Brussels from the neighbouring municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. It is a mostly commercial and residential area with elements from the industrial past, giving it a unique character. It’s the focus of a new cultural, architectural and economic direction for the city and is very welcoming to film shoots. Its versatility makes it an ideal location for both grittier, urban images or leisurely, sunny scenes.
The most famous movie shot in the area is dark comedy The Brand New Testament (2015) and recently, several Belgian TV series filmed here, including Unité 42 (2017) and Hoodie (2020-).
Photo, courtesy visit.brussels-Jean-Paul Remy

Lake MacDonald Valley, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

Lake McDonald Valley is on the west side of Glacier National Park. Once occupied by massive glaciers that carved out the area thousands of years ago, the valley is now filled with spectacular vistas, hiking trails, diverse species of plants and animals, historic chalets and the grand Lake McDonald Lodge. Lake McDonald is the largest lake in the park at nearly 10 miles long. The powerful glaciers that shaped the valley also carved smaller hanging valleys with striking waterfalls that are accessible by numerous hiking trails.
Many productions have filmed here including: What Dreams May Come (1998), The Shining (1980), Heaven's Gate (1980), Forrest Gump (1994) and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005).
Photo, Courtesy Jacob W Frank

Montelimar, Southern France

Montélimar is a commune in the Drôme department of southeastern France, the second- largest town in the department after Valence. Steeped in history, Montélimar is home to some beautiful heritage buildings, including Adhémar Castle. Built on top of a hill, it overlooks the city and offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. This internationally under-represented film location provides numerous diverse landscapes.
Movies shot here include: Conte D’Automne (1998) and Gout des Merveilles (2015).
Photo, courtesy Rick Schuler, LMGI

Menton, France

Menton is a town on the French Riviera in southeast France. It’s known for its beaches and gardens, including the Serre de la Madone which is a showcase for rare plants. The hilly, medieval old town is home to Basilique Saint-Michel, notable for its 18th-century bell tower, and the ornate facade of La Chapelle des Pénitents-Blancs.
Films that have shot here include: Day of the Jackal (1973), Never Say Never Again (1983) and Magic in the Moonlight (2014).
Photo, courtesy Mark Indig, LMGI

Horseshoe Bend, Colorado River, Arizona

Horseshoe Bend is around eight kilometres up-river from Lake Powell, and close to the town of Page and the Navajo Reservation, the largest land area retained by an indigenous tribe in the US. A horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River, it is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and about 14km downstream is where the vast Grand Canyon National Park begins.
Movies that shot in the area include: The Planet of the Apes (1968), Hands of Steel (1986), Point Break (1991), Maverick (1994), John Carter (2012), and Gravity (2013).
Photo, courtesy John Hutchinson, LMGI, hutchinsonlocations.com

Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Situated at the junction of the North and South Thompson Rivers in the Thompson Valley, Kamloops is British Columbia’s second largest city. This location is right off a road near the city of Kamloops. It is very accessible and part of the Harper Ranch, a large area owned by First Nations, with many spectacular accessible landscapes.
Films shot here include Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014). TV series include: The X-Files (1993-2018), Van Helsing (2016-), Lost in Space (2018-) and Project Blue Book (2019-2020).
Photo, courtesy Matt Palmer, LMGI

Koro Sun Resort, Fiji

Koro Sun Resort is located in a small coastal town called Savusavu on Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. The resort sits on a 160-acre sanctuary, surrounded by tropical forests and warm, clear-blue waters. Savusavu is on the coast and can be accessed by air and sea as it has a well-maintained marina and an airstrip within 10 minutes from the town.
The resort has been the home of reality TV series Australian Survivor (2002 -) for the last three seasons.
Photo, Courtsey Film Fiji

Oulu, Finland

Located on the shores of the Bay of Bothnia, Finland’s fourth largest city, Oulu, provides urban culture as well as easy access to the unique nature of this region. Finland is known for its thousands of lakes and islands, dense forests, wooden cottages and vast snow-covered regions, as well as the capital, Helsinki, and for decades has been popular with international filmmakers. This is a picture of one of many locations that are waiting to be discovered.
Films shot in Finland include: Doctor Zhivago (1965) and Hanna (2011).
Photo, courtesy Peter Gluck, LMGI

Butron Castle, Bilbao, Spain

Butrón is a castle located in Gatika, in the northern Spain province of Biscay. It dates back to Middle Ages, although it was almost completely rebuilt by Francisco de Cubas in 1878. Taking its inspiration from Bavarian architecture, the castle has a fairytale look. The building is only 20 minutes from Bilbao by car and is surrounded by a park planted with palms and exotic plants.
The horror movie Malenka, the Vampire's Niece (1969) was shot in the castle.
Photo, courtesy Bilbao Bizkaia Film Commission.

Hong Kong Observation Wheel, Hong Kong

The 60-metre Hong Kong Observation Wheel is on the Central Harbourfront in Hong Kong, on the Central and Wan Chai reclamation. The amazing view from the 15-minute ride on the Ferris wheel includes Victoria Harbour. Its 42 gondolas includes one VIP version with leather seats and a glass floor.
Many movies have filmed in Hong Kong including: The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), Die Another Day (2002), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003), The Dark Knight (2008), Skyscraper (2018) and Pacific Rim (2013).
Lori Balton, LMGI

Long Biên Bridge Across Hanoi's Red River, Vietnam

Long Biên Bridge is a historic cantilever bridge across the Red River that connects the two districts of Hoan Kiem and Long Bien in the city of Hanoi, Vietnam. Built by Gustav Eiffel in 1899, it was heavily bombarded during the Vietnam war. Some parts of the original structure remain intact, while large sections damaged by the war have been rebuilt in a different style. The French government is supporting plans to restore the bridge to its original appearance.
Films shot in Vietnam include: Indochine (1992), Pan (2015) and Kong: Skull Island (2017).
Photo, Courtesy Lori Balton, LMGI

Willow Valley, Alberta, Canada

This timeless location sits on the edge of the Rocky Mountains where the cattle ranges and rolling hills meet the high ground. Looking south the valley opens to a wider plain and the Clark mountain range that divides the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. A road connects small and medium-sized cattle operations on the valley floor.
Movies that shot here include: The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet (2013) and The Right Kind of Wrong (2013).
Photo, courtesy Jason Nolan, LMG

Brisbane Powerhouse, Queensland, Australia

Brisbane Powerhouse precinct is a vibrant urban performing arts centre with intimate theatres, restaurants, event spaces and a forecourt. Built in 1928, it operated as a power station until it was decommissioned in 1971. Over the next 29 years the site became derelict — its worn red brick walls covered in graffiti. These gritty, industrial features were preserved during restoration in 2000 to become a Brisbane icon, situated on the Brisbane River and surrounded by parkland, including the heritage listed New Farm Park. Brisbane Powerhouse is situated 15.2km from Screen Queensland Studios and 20 minutes from Brisbane International Airport.
The complex has hosted many feature films, television commercials and fashion shoots.
Photo, Courtesy of Brisbane Powerhouse.

Tahoe National Forest, Lake Tahoe, California, US

Tahoe National Forest is northwest of Lake Tahoe, and crosses six counties: Sierra, Placer, Nevada, Yuba, Plumas and El Dorado. The forest contains many natural and man-made resources including hundreds of lakes and reservoirs — most notably Boca Reservoir — river canyons carving through granite bedrock and many miles of trails including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Numerous productions have shot in this area including TV classic Bonanza (1959-1973), and movies The Godfather Part II (1974) and Last Weekend (2014).

(Photo, courtesy Ted Alvarez, LMGI)

Dead Vlei, Dunes of Sossusvlei, Namib Desert, Namibia

Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan created by the Tsauchab river that flows through the Sesriem Canyon every five to 10 years. Even in very wet years it doesn’t reach the Atlantic Ocean but drains away between the dunes of Sossusvlei. Sossus means ‘place of no return’. Because of the lack of water all the trees in this valley have died, so the meaning of Dead Vlei becomes clear. All the trees here, though dead, have been nearly perfectly preserved for centuries. Productions shot in Namibia include: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Beyond Borders (2003), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) and The Mummy (2017).

Photo, courtesy Peter Harris

The Rooftop Helipad of the Sofitel at Beverly Hills, California, US

The helipad at the Sofitel hotel provides a 360-degree panoramic view of Los Angeles, including the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, Pacific Design Center, the Downtown skyline and the horizon of the Hollywood Hills. This location is perfect for movies, photo shoots and music videos. It has been recently used by a selection of magazines, including Gentleman, Bella, Social Life and Sharp. It was also used for a video featuring rock band Foo Fighters.

(Photo, courtesy Edward De La Torre)

Natural History Museum, London

A stunning 25-metre-long blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling takes centre stage in this spectacular space, giving visitors the opportunity to walk underneath the largest creature ever to have lived. The skeleton now on display in Hintze Hall is from a whale that became stranded in 1891 in Wexford Harbour, Ireland. The Natural History Museum’s Hintze Hall boasts a striking Romanesque entrance, a grand staircase, an intricate hand-painted ceiling and soaring arches. In contrast, the Museum’s Darwin Centre offers a cleaner more contemporary blank canvas for filming, its steel struts and reflective glass together with white limestone floor and curved concrete walls providing a modern set. Meanwhile its exterior amphitheatre provides parking for production vehicles. Recent projects filmed here include: Paddington (2014), Jupiter Ascending (2015) and The Mummy (2017). The Museum has been featured in a commercial for fashion brand Ted Baker and, most recently, in Charlie Brooker’s TV series Cunk On Britain (2018).

Picture, courtesy Film London

Beaufort Delta Region, Northwest Territories

This area is situated above the Arctic Circle, which means around 30 consecutive days of no sunlight in the winter and around 50 consecutive days of 24-hour sunlight in the summer. Canada’s only free-ranging reindeer herd lives here. The defining characteristics in this part of the world are very little light pollution, aurora borealis, tundra, mountains, Arctic coastline, pingos (mounds of earth-covered ice found only in the Arctic that can reach up to 230 ft in height), and unique wildlife including muskox and polar bears. Some notable projects that were filmed in the region include TV documentary series Canada Over The Edge (2016-) and True North Calling (2017-). The feature film The Sun At Midnight (2016) shot here as well as commercials for Mercedes and Tropicana.

Photo, courtesy Weronika Murray

Sunrise on the Oxbow Palm Beach, Florida

This 52-acre site is part of the Northeast Everglades natural environment with mesic flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, hydric hammock and mangrove swamp ecosystems. This is a view along two tributaries of Limestone Creek that still flow intermittently through the area. Despite the dryness of the habitat, delicate bromeliads and clumps of ball moss cling to tree branches. The dense growth under the tree canopy attracts many birds. Listed animals observed on the site include: the gopher tortoise, West Indian manatee, the American redstart, the little blue heron, the yellow-crowned night-heron, the osprey and the bald eagle. This is a good location for nature shows that feature wild birds, old Florida, inland fishing and environmental preservation storylines

Photo, courtesy PBC-Environmental Resources Management

Wabakimi Provincial Park, Ontario

Wabakimi Provincial Park is a huge expanse of wilderness representative of Northern Ontario’s vast lake systems. Northern Ontario’s film industry is growing rapidly. Access to unique natural assets, including lakes,
rivers and forests are complemented by a strong crew base, financial incentives and film infrastructure, which together provide an enticing package for producers. While there have been no shoots to date at this specific location, TV series including Eye Witness (2016-), Letterkenny (2016-) and Cardinal (2017-); and acclaimed features including Born To Be Blue (2015) and The Witch (2015), have shot in the wider Northern Ontario region.

Photo, courtesy ©April 2018, Destination Ontario

Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, US

Chattahoochee Hills is a city in southern Fulton County, Georgia. The Chattahoochee Hill Country, an area encompassing approximately 60,000 acres southwest of Atlanta, is bordered on the northwest side by the Chattahoochee River. Unlike much of the area around Atlanta — often named the Hollywood of the South — it is still relatively undeveloped, and most of its rural character remains unchanged. Filming has recently included: TV series The Walking Dead (2010-) and Stranger Things (2016-); and among the many feature films, The Hunger Games series (2012-2015) shot here.

(Photo, courtesy Ted Alvarez, LMGI)

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