(AGENPARL) – Thu 24 July 2025 City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release
July 24, 2025
Guillermo del Toro honoured with Key to the City as Cinespace unveils the “Guillermo del Toro Stages”
Today, Mayor Olivia Chow awarded the Key to the City to renowned filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. The ceremony, held jointly with Cinespace Studios, unveiled the renaming of the Marine Terminal campus sound stages as the “Guillermo del Toro Stages” in recognition of the director’s long-standing relationship with Toronto and its film community.
Toronto’s screen industry is a cornerstone of the city’s creative economy. With a workforce of over 40,000, more than 5,000 film and television businesses operating in Ontario, and world-class sound stages and visual effects (VFX) facilities, the sector generated $2.6 billion in direct spend in 2023.
Guillermo del Toro, a three-time Academy Award-winning director, has filmed several of his celebrated projects at Cinespace Studios in Toronto including The Shape of Water, Nightmare Alley, Cabinet of Curiosities and the highly anticipated Frankenstein. Over the past two decades, del Toro has helped cement Toronto’s reputation as a world-class centre for film production and has described the city as his “second home.”
Del Toro’s ongoing creative presence in Toronto has contributed significantly to the growth and global recognition of the city’s screen industry. By consistently choosing Toronto as a base for major projects, he has reaffirmed Toronto’s place as a top-tier production hub. His work has featured iconic Toronto landmarks, supported Canadian talent and created hundreds of jobs for local crew and craftspeople. Del Toro’s continued investment in the city helps build lasting infrastructure and creative capacity.
The Mayor awards the Key to the City to inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds who embody the spirit and potential of Toronto, and who have contributed significantly to civic life. The Key to the City is Toronto’s highest honour granted by the Mayor to an individual or a group.
More information, including a list of past recipients, is available on the City’s Key to the City website: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/awards/key-to-the-city/.
Mayor Chow invites residents to share their suggestions for individuals they believe should receive the Key to the City. To nominate someone who has made a meaningful impact on Toronto, visit: http://www.mayoroliviachow.ca/keytothecity.
Quotes:
“Guillermo del Toro is a once-in-a-generation storyteller, director and filmmaker. From The Shape of Water to Nightmare Alley to the highly anticipated Frankenstein, he has consistently chosen to produce his award-winning movies in Toronto, supporting our city’s $2.6 billion film industry which employs more than 40,000 people. Today, we celebrate his contributions to Toronto and his films which have touched viewers from around the world.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“The renaming of these stages is a testament to Guillermo’s impact and deep ties to the local film industry, and his commitment to storytelling with his Toronto crew base. We are grateful to have been the production home for many of his projects in Toronto.”
– Eoin Egan, Co-CEO, Cinespace Studios
“Toronto has been a second home to me and my creative endeavors. To have my name associated with these glorious stages where my beloved crew and colleagues share both work and memories is an immense honor. I am deeply grateful to Cinespace Studios for this recognition, and to the Toronto film community for its unwavering support throughout decades of my career. ”
– Guillermo del Toro, Recipient, Key to the City
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