Oscar Best Picture winner was filmed in Hamilton

If you were watching the Oscars last night, you’ll know that director Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water was nominated for thirteen awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.

While we’re big fans of any of del Toro’s work, this win is particularly special because a large portion of the movie was filmed in Hamilton, with the rest shot in Toronto.

You may recognize some of the following scenes.

The Shape of Water crew shot Dr. Hoffstetler’s apartment outside a building at 181 MacNab St S in Hamilton. Image courtesy of Fox Searchlight, Google Maps, and Atlas of Wonder.

Hamilton City Hall served as Giles’ former company building. Image courtesy of Fox Searchlight, Google Maps, and Atlas of Wonder.

The meeting place of the Russians is the Lakeshore Sand Company in Hamilton. Image courtesy of Fox Searchlight, and Atlas of Wonder.

It’s no secret that Guillermo del Toro loves Hamilton. He regularly visits our city to shoot his films and has become fond of the city’s local shops and restaurants. Some of the favourites he’s mentioned in past interviews include Cannon Coffee, The Burnt Tongue, Southern Smoke Barbecue House, and James Street Bookseller.

The director has also expressed interest in setting up his own studio in Hamilton. “If I have it my way, I’ll have a studio there soon when I recuperate. I love the city,” he elaborates.

The Shape of Water is del Toro’s fourth movie shot in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area, alongside Pacific Rim, Mama and Crimson Peak.

Header image provided by Doug Jones