Our office is committed to good service. We've developed a network of troubleshooters and resources from around our county. We coordinate city, county, state and some federal film permits.

We have a seamless relationship with the Tampa Film Commission, so you can consider St. Petersburg-Clearwater-Tampa as one production center. If we can't find your location needs here, we'll refer you to the place in Florida where you can find it.

Resource and Location Book
For a copy of our CD and production guide, call us at 727-464-7241 or e-mail us. We'll provide them overnight at no charge to producers.

Permitting & Insurance
Most film permits are free, with rare exceptions. Most city and county offices will only charge for services if they incur overtime or some other extraordinary cost in the course of assisting the production.

  • Pinellas County Film Permit Application

  • Pinellas County Parks Permit Application


  • The usual liability insurance coverage for location filming is $1 million. It may be more with large productions or those involving pyrotechnics and stunt work.

    Security
    Our film commission can help coordinate hiring off-duty police officers, along with marine, environmental, helicopter and other special operations personnel you may need. Police and sheriff officers must be paid at their department rate; most have a four-hour minimum charge. Our officers are reliable and experienced in film/video production.

    Preliminary Location Scouting
    Tell us your location requirements. Let us put together images for your review. Or even better, scout it yourself. We'll help arrange a customized scouting trip.

    We maintain a library of location photo files available by email or Reel Scout. Call us at 727-464-7241 or e-mail us and we will take care of your needs.

    Governor's Office of Film and Entertainment (State Film Commission)
    The Florida state film commissioner Lucia Fishburn and staff may be reached by e-mail at film1@myflorida.com.

    Florida opened the first full-time, full-service state office in Los Angeles more than 12 years ago. Contact LA Liaison Susan Simms for location requests, crew lists, maps and production guides. With one call, she can reach every film office within the state. She may be reached by e-mail at filmflorida@earthlink.net or phone 818-508-7772.

    Sales Tax Exemptions and Incentives
    Florida has an entertainment incentive program, and grants sales tax exemptions to production companies for many costs incurred in doing business. The production company must apply to the Department of Revenue for the exemption certificate. Contact the Governor's Office of Film and Entertainment for an application 877-FLA-FILM (877-352-3456). Download information and an application here.

    Child Actors
    Florida has strict child labor regulations. Producers must have their permits in hand prior to filming. However, the child labor officials can usually provide permits in one day.

    Crews & Facilities
    Our office provides the Florida Gulf Coast Production Guide complimentary to production personnel. You may contact us for a hard copy by calling 727-464-7241 or e-mail us.

    Our regional production guide is accessible online here.

    The complete state production guide is available, as well, at www.filmflorida.com.

    Accommodations
    For advice on hotel accommodations near your locations, contact the film commission. We can guide you based upon convenience and cost. For a hard copy of the Visitors Guide, call us at 727-464-7241 or e-mail us, and we will ship it immediately.
    St. Petersburg/Clearwater Film Commission
    13805 58th Street, Suite 2-200, Clearwater, FL 33760
    727-464-7241 | 877-352-3224
    A Department of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
    Learn more about the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area at
    www.FloridasBeach.com
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