Application form

All photographic, video and film imagery undertakings on a commercial basis (e.g., intending to sell images or sharing images with sponsors) in a national park reserve must go through an approval process. Profit and Not-for-Profit ventures must follow this process. Parks Canada reserves the right to determine whether an end product results in personal or corporate gain.

Non-professional photography and video capture taken by visitors on their cameras and phones do not need a permit and are enthusiastically encouraged as long as they respect wildlife and are safe.

It is important to be aware that the use of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) or drones is a restricted activity and requires the permission of the Park Superintendent. Generally, a Transport Canada issued Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) is required to operate a UAV within the park boundaries, in addition to a Parks Canada UAV permit.

With this in mind, film permitting at Thaıdene Nëné National Park Reserve generally follows this process:

• Contact the Park (thaidene.nene@pc.gc.ca) to determine if you need a film permit.
• Complete the detailed application form and return to Parks Canada for review.
• The film proposal is reviewed and depending on its scope and scale it may require preliminary screening under the Mackenzie Valley Review Board and the Thaıdene Nëné management board. The applicant may be asked to present an overview by teleconference for discussion.
• Notification of film permit approval/conditions or its denial is delivered to the applicant.
• Applicant provides proof of insurance as per attached Film Permit guidelines.
• If approved, the permit documentation is delivered for signature by all parties once fees are paid.

For filming in the community of Łutsël K'é please contact the Łutsël K'é Dene First Nation for more information sao.lkdfn@gmail.com. For filming in the Northwest Territories other than in national parks please follow the guidelines provided on the Northwest Territories Tourism and Government of Northwest Territories: http://www.nwtfilm.com and Northwest Territories Tourism: http://media.spectacularnwt.com/media-fam-request

FAQ’s

What works well for filming in the Thaıdene Nëné?

• Productions involving minimal equipment and crew size.
• Productions with minimum impact on the environment and visitors, e.g, avoiding locations that are more popular visitor attractions.
• Productions contributing to public awareness, appreciation and understanding of Canada’s national parks and Parks Canada.
• Productions that work with and respectfully incorporate the story of our Indigenous partners in the history and management of the park.

When’s the best time to plan filming in the Thaıdene Nëné?

Thaıdene Nëné is accessible via float/ski plane, boat or via scheduled flight into Łutsël K'é. Please contact Park Canada or Łutsël K'é staff for more information.

Can Parks Canada plan the filming locations for the production?

Parks Canada, in cooperation with the Łutsël K'é Dene First Nation can help you with filming questions and ideas, but your application should include a detailed list of proposed filming locations and a filming schedule. We understand schedules change and we can try to accommodate changes. Providing specific dates and location information ensures a timely process for you and gives us a better idea of what is possible. We strongly recommend researching locations before submitting an application.

Would Parks Canada consider waiving some or all of the permit fees for the production?

Fees may be reduced for proposals that assist Parks Canada and its Indigenous partners in meeting their mandate and provide direct benefits to the park. An example of a direct benefit would be sharing of photos / footage for educational use by Parks Canada and Indigenous partners. Refer to list of fee reductions in the Film Guidelines for more details.

• What are the permit fees?

  Parks Canada reserves the right to charge the non-refundable application fee upon receiving an application for a film licence. Fees must be received prior to filming/photography activities. The Goods and Service Tax (GST) is included in all fees.

  Production Crew Size	Application Fee (per project)	Location Fee (per day)
  1-6	$153.50	$511.25
  7-15	$383.50	$1,022.75
  16-30	$767.00	$1,533.75
  31-99	$2,556.25	$2,045.25
  100+	$3,067.75	$2,556.25

  Depending on the scope, location and crew size associated with the project, monitoring fees (including overtime) may be charged to the production company in addition to the fees listed above.

Use of UAVs

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) are increasing in popularity for hobbyists, photographers, and businesses. In national parks, the Canadian Aviation Regulations, and National Parks of Canada Aircraft Access Regulations, prohibit the take-off and landing a drone without a Parks Canada Restricted Activity Permit. Only Field Unit Superintendents may permit the use of unmanned aerial vehicles over Parks Canada property for purposes directly related to protected heritage area administration.

UAV/Drones FAQ