by Lisa Scope/LMGI

It was a great privilege to be welcomed to Australia’s capital, Canberra, by Screen Canberra for a recent Fam Tour. Canberra is a resourceful and visually striking city; its bold architecture, wide streets and distinctive vegetation set it apart from other parts of the country. Its unique character and versatility make it an exceptional option for productions seeking to double for other nations on a large scale.

Photo: Mary Barltrop/LMGI

When scouting and pitching locations, we are often asked to find settings that can represent America or a neutral international environment. Canberra offers both, with its clean design, modern infrastructure and remarkable ability to transform seamlessly on screen.

One of the standout takeaways from the tour was discovering how film-friendly Canberra Airport is—particularly in how VIPs are managed with efficiency and discretion. This is a strong selling point for international producers, ensuring that key cast and crew can arrive quietly, without media attention or logistical complications.

Photo: Peter Harris/LMGI

Throughout the tour, we visited a range of inspiring locations, including ANU, Callam Offices, Canberra Waterfront, Mount Stromlo, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery, the National Arboretum, MODA and the Shine Dome (affectionately known as the Martian Embassy). Each site offered impressive creative potential, along with solid logistical practicality.

L-R: Peter Denbys, Colin McDougall/LMGI, Mary Barltrop/LMGI, Lisa Scope/ LMGI,
Chris Reynolds/LMGI, Anton Denby/LMGI. Photo courtesy of Mary Barltrop/LMGI

As fellow LMGI member Chris Reynolds reflected: “While often overlooked as a filming location, Canberra really is a gem of a spot hiding in plain sight. Screen Canberra put together a diverse itinerary of interesting filming locations, showcasing the variety of natural and built environments that the nation’s capital offers. From the grandeur of Parliament House to striking brutalist buildings and deciduous cedar forests, we were all kept busy snapping away with our cameras. As the LMGI continues to gain new members and strengthen in the Oceania region, we are hoping there will be many more Fam Tours in the future.”

The tour concluded with a spectacular dinner on the hill, watching a magnificent sunset over the city—a perfect end to an inspiring visit that left us all eager to return.

During their time in Canberra, LMGI location managers also participated in a panel at the Capital Film Festival, sharing professional insights during “The Power of Place in Storytelling” session.

Photo: Lisa Scope/LMGI

“The Power of Place in Storytelling”

Location Management Panel

Presented by Screen Canberra and the Location Managers Guild International

This insightful discussion explored how filming locations shape narrative, mood, and authenticity in film and television. Attendees heard how Australian landscapes have doubled for international settings and how global productions use real environments to anchor storytelling—shared by an exceptional lineup of internationally renowned location managers.

LMGI Panelists:

• Mary Barltrop (Extraction 1 & 2, Mystery Road: Origin)

• Anton Denby (East West 101, Thor: Love and Thunder)

• Peter Harris (Poker Face, Last King of the Cross)

• Colin McDougall (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Tenet, Thor: Love and Thunder)

• Chris Reynolds (Narrow Road to the Deep North, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes)

• Lisa Scope (The Fall Guy, Thor: Love and Thunder)

For more information on filming in Canberra, please visit: https://screencanberra.com.au/

For more scout images, please visit https://locationmanagers.org/