Why Film in Erie, PA?

We’re More Than Just a Pretty Frame

Video by Reach Media Productions

Erie Insurance’s 100th Anniversary Commercial Campaign: A Century of Progress
📸 Photo by: RFrank Media

Built for Filmworkers

Whether you're a director looking for authenticity, a producer managing a budget, or a grip, PA, or gaffer ready to roll—Erie has your back.

  • A growing network of local crew & vendors

  • A welcoming, collaboration-first culture

  • Access to gear, facilities, and city cooperation

  • Support from Film Erie, your regional film office

PA Film Tax Credit

Information on the 25% Pennsylvania Motion Picture Tax Credit

Erie Insurance’s 100th Anniversary Commercial Campaign: A Century of Progress
📸 Photos by: RFrank Media

Production Resources

Erie stands tall as a hub for independent & low budget film production

Affordable. Accessible. Incentivized.

Pennsylvania offers a 25% Film Tax Credit for eligible productions, plus potential uplifts for local spend and workforce development.

Combined with Erie’s low-cost infrastructure and enthusiastic community partners, it’s a winning formula for filmmakers and filmworkers alike.

Four seasons. Rain or Shine. Beaches to 5 Feet of Snow.

Need a rusted-out factory? A sun-dappled vineyard? A snowy main street that looks like it hasn’t changed since 1952? A spooky forest that is real-life actually haunted?
We’ve got options.

Northwest PA is quite the shapeshifter — coastal when you need it, gritty when you don’t, and always just a short drive from your next setup.

Coastlines & Water

Presque Isle State Park is Pennsylvania’s only seashore, offering sandy beaches, scenic trails, and stunning Lake Erie sunsets. It’s a local favorite for swimming, kayaking, and year-round outdoor fun.

Forests & Natural Landscapes

The region’s rolling hills, state parks, and remote woods make it ideal for adventure, thriller, or nature-based storytelling.

Small Towns with Character

Charming main streets, mom-and-pop shops, and Americana authenticity abound in the boroughs surrounding Erie.

Urban & Industrial

Downtown Erie blends classic architecture with raw, utilitarian space—perfect for scenes set anywhere from the 1920s to the near future.

Farms & Rural Backdrops

Working farms, barns, silos, and field-lined roads provide timeless rural imagery without the need to travel far.

Venues & Interiors

From historic theaters to gritty warehouses to modern academic settings, interior locations are as varied as the landscape.

  • Spring

  • Summer

  • Fall

  • Winter

Erie isn’t just scenic — it’s practical.

And perfectly positioned.

In Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region,
you’ll find yourself near:

  • Presque Isle State Park – 13 beaches, eerie fog, and a great lake that plays ocean

  • Bayfront & Downtown Erie – reinvented streetscapes, vintage theaters, warehouse districts

  • Erie International Airport (ERI) – just minutes from set, with connections to major hubs.

  • Close Proximity to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo – easy equipment access, backup crew, or day trips for wrap parties

  • The Port of Erie – cargo ships, working waterfront, and a tall ship from 1813 (yes, really)

  • Filmworker-friendly infrastructure – lodging, catering, coffee, parking, and breathing room

  • Five Major Colleges and Universities – which means: student crew and fresh creative energy, academic filming locations, workforce training and development programs

  • Amish farmland and vineyard views – from the Lake Erie Wine Trail to multigenerational farms

  • Rivers, woods, and weather – for when your story needs moss, mist, or maple leaves

  • Industrial backdrops and gritty character

  • Four distinct seasons for year-round shooting

Diverse Locations & Skilled Labor

Odds are, it’s here.

Northwestern Pennsylvania offers a rare combination of visual variety and a specialized workforce.

  • Sailing & Maritime Culture – Home to the historic Flagship Niagara, tall ships, and a strong community of active sailors for authentic nautical scenes. We even have a commercial dive school with underwater camera training.

  • Rail Access & Train Yards – Decommissioned and active lines for industrial or period settings (with the right permissions)

  • Advanced Manufacturing Training Centers – Erie’s workforce includes welders, machinists, and robotics techs — perfect for gritty shop floors, labs, or future-forward sets

  • Ice Sports Culture – Hockey rinks, curling clubs, and winter sports gear available locally (plus people who know how to use it)

  • Local Courthouse & Legal Environments – Classic mid-century civic buildings and courtroom access (with coordination)

  • Five Major Colleges and Universities – which means: student crew and fresh creative energy, academic filming locations, workforce training and development programs

  • Equestrian & Agricultural Communities – Horse trainers, 4H barns, and working farms with traditional knowledge

  • Regional Radio & News Studios – Old-school broadcast backdrops or interview-style shoots

Bring Your Vision. We’ll Help Amplify.

Whether you're filming a feature, short, doc, or commercial, Film Erie is here to connect you to Northwest Pennsylvania.

We’re ready when you are.