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Washington is known by filmmakers for its large, scenic landscapes filled with majestic forests and stoic mountain ranges. The natural beauty of the state has served as the backdrop for many movies and TV shows.<\/p>\n
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Most recently, Clint Bentley\u2019s 2025 release \u201cTrain Dreams,\u201d was filmed in Western and Eastern Washington. The movie tells the story of a logger and railroad worker whose \u201clife unfolds during an era of unprecedented change in early 20th century America,\u201d according to the film\u2019s official description.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTrain Dreams\u201d is nominated for four Academy Awards and won Best Feature at the 2026 Spirit Independent Film Awards.<\/a> The 2026 Academy Awards show airs live on Sunday, March 15, on ABC starting at 4 p.m. PT.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Production took 29 days across six Washington counties. While production was meant to be spilt between Washington and Eastern Europe, after seeing the state\u2019s natural landscapes, the producers and directors decided to stay in Washington, Amy Lillard, Executive Director of Washington Filmworks told McClatchy Media.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What does it take to film in Washington? What permits and jurisdictions do film crews need?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here\u2019s what to know:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n When a filmmaker wants to film in Washington, they typically ask if Washington has an incentive<\/a> according to Lillard \u2014 and Washington does.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Washington Filmworks runs a $15 million fund each year to support filmmakers and productions, according to Lillard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The fund \u201cprovides funding assistance to feature films, episodic series, and commercials filmed anywhere in Washington State,\u201d the Washington Filmworks website reads.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Productions can come in all shapes and sizes, but they all call for a location.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sherrye Wyatt, Rural Economic Development Manager for Washington Filmworks, specializes in this.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat I\u2019ve been doing is working on the community level with local jurisdictions, encouraging them to look ahead at what film could do for them and to become more film ready,\u201d Wyatt said. \u201cSo that\u2019s putting locations in our database [and] taking a look at the permitting process locally.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once locations are film ready, they are added to Washington\u2019s Filmmakers location database.<\/a> This includes all filming-ready spots, including houses, accommodations for cast and crew, bridges, cities, towns and any other locations a production may need.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Production can be done in all of Washington\u2019s 39 counties. Rural and urban counties and locations can be found on the Washington Filmmakers website.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A handful of iconic movies and TV shows have a recognizable Washington backdrops, according to Wyatt who published an article on the Washington Tourism<\/a> website on Sept. 4, 2025.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n How do film crews get permits for filming in WA?<\/h2>\n
Where can production take place in WA?<\/h2>\n
What movies and TV Shows have been filmed in Washington State?<\/h2>\n
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