Hollywood star praises Maple Ridge as city sees boom year for film production
Maple Ridge is on pace for its busiest year ever for film production, with filming activity more than doubling compared to the same point last year and generating an estimated $7.6 million in local economic impact.
The city says it recorded 260 shoot days by June 26, up from 116 during the same period in 2025. When preparation and wrap days are included, total film activity reached 506 days, compared with 188 a year earlier.
The surge has also attracted attention from Hollywood actor Josh Duhamel, who recently shared a video with his 2.5 million Instagram followers while filming the Canadian feature Runaway at Allco Park.
Duhamel described Maple Ridge as “so beautiful” while introducing viewers to the community where the film is being shot.
Mayor Dan Ruimy said the numbers reflect years of work building relationships with the film industry, noting it creates local jobs, supports businesses, generates significant economic activity
“This is a tremendous milestone for Maple Ridge,” Ruimy said. “Hearing someone like Josh Duhamel describe Maple Ridge as ‘so beautiful’ reinforces what our residents already know and love about living here.”
According to the City, filming has generated an estimated $7.62 million in local economic impact so far this year – nearly triple the $2.68 million recorded over the same period in 2025. Officials also expect another 10 to 12 productions to begin filming during July.
The biggest driver behind the increase has been a sharp rise in episodic television production. Maple Ridge has hosted 25 television production blocks so far this year, compared with just seven during the same period last year. The city said television productions typically bring larger crews, longer filming schedules and higher local spending than other projects.
Senior Film Advisor Draeven McGowan credited the city’s collaborative approach with helping attract repeat business.
“Maple Ridge’s greatest strength is our community,” McGowan said. “Our property owners, local businesses, residents and City staff all play an important role in making productions feel welcome. We work hard to understand the realities of film production and find ways to say yes whenever possible.”
McGowan said productions often come to Maple Ridge for its private properties and natural landscapes before expanding filming to local businesses, neighbourhoods and municipal facilities, increasing spending throughout the community.
The city says film production supports employment across a range of sectors, including accommodations, restaurants, retail, construction trades and other local service providers, while helping grow Maple Ridge’s creative economy.
Officials said they will continue working with residents, businesses and production companies to balance neighbourhood impacts with the economic benefits of a growing film industry.
