Event Videographers in Montreal

Start with the BCTM

Filming on Montréal streets, sidewalks, parks, public spaces or municipal buildings needs a permit to temporarily occupy public property. The first step is contacting the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision de Montréal, which opens a file and gives you a number. You then complete the online application, with a separate one for each public place.

Allow plenty of time. The city says to apply at least 10 business days before filming, and notes that processing can take up to 15 business days. The permit lasts a maximum of one month. Corporate videos and professional photographers are named among applicants, and the required documents include liability insurance, shooting locations, a vehicle list and a schedule. Occupying a street, sidewalk or parking area also needs a layout plan.

Boroughs matter here more than in most cities. Rules, insurance and fees differ between them, and Verdun, for example, handles applications itself. Insurance typically ranges from $1 million to $5 million, with the city as co-insured. Notices to affected residents are typically bilingual, and in at least one borough, filming between 7pm and 8am or on Sundays needs written approval from 90% of residents affected.

Fees

The city-wide schedule is modest for small occupations, in Canadian dollars with taxes included: $30 to issue the permit, and daily occupancy from $35. Lane obstructions run from $40 to $360 per day, and a street closure costs $80 to $160. Borough park and building rates vary, so ask for the rate for your exact location.

Drones

The city refers drone filming to Transport Canada's rules. Under those, drones under 250 grams need no pilot certificate, though advertised events need special permission at any size. Basic certificate holders cannot fly in controlled airspace or fly closer to or over people, which limits work near a downtown event. Advanced certificate holders can, subject to conditions.

Parc Jean-Drapeau runs its own process. It requires a filming permit, $3,000,000 of liability insurance, a flight plan and a drone request at least 72 business hours beforehand.

Venues and recurring shows

The Palais des congrès is the main venue. Listings show AEROMART Montréal on 23-25 March 2027, CIM CONNECT on 2-5 May 2027, and the Montréal Real Estate Forum on 15-16 June 2027. The city will also host the IUPAC chemistry congress on 9-16 July 2027, with an estimated 3,500 participants.

The Conference of Montréal, organised by the International Economic Forum of the Americas, has run annually since 1995 and brings together government and business leaders. Confirm dates with organisers. Consider whether your interviews and captions need both French and English.