Snowflakes and Spotlights: “Winter Keepsake” Films in Wortley Village

London, Ontario became a winter wonderland this past week as Winter Keepsake, a heartwarming holiday film, began filming in the historic streets of Wortley Village.

With soft snow drifting through the air (some real, some movie magic), the production turned local storefronts into festive boutiques and cafés, complete with twinkling lights, wreaths, and an old-fashioned sleigh ride scene filmed in nearby Harris Park. The story follows a city architect who returns home for the holidays and reconnects with an old flame — and yes, there’s hot cocoa involved.

Residents stopped to watch as the camera crew captured magical evening shots, with a few lucky locals cast as extras enjoying a fictional tree-lighting ceremony on the village green.

“London gave us that perfect small-town charm,” said director Talia Green. “The neighbourhood’s warmth and character made every shot feel authentic — and Film London helped us hit the ground running.”

Film London, powered by the London Economic Development Corporation, supported the production with location scouting, local crew connections, and permit coordination. Several local shops even stayed open late to accommodate filming schedules — and reported a welcome boost in holiday traffic.

With filming wrapped just in time for the first real snowfall of the season, Winter Keepsake is slated to premiere on a major Canadian network this December — and Wortley Village has never looked more ready for the spotlight.