Filming in Culver City
Over the last 100 years, Culver City has been at the center of the entertainment industry. From historic studios and backlots to current cutting-edge technologies, Culver City fosters an innovative and creative environment that supports both large and small-scale filming in the center of Southern California.
Filming Incentive Pilot Program
As part of the City's continuing commitment to its longstanding identity as the Heart of Screenland, the City Council recently approved a pilot program featuring a comprehensive set of measures designed to encourage local film and television production, create employment opportunities and support small businesses.
The program provides for:
- Temporary incentives for film permit fees to attract production activity in Culver City in the form of fee subsidies
- A $500,000 cap on total incentives for a 12-month period to ensure fiscal responsibility
- Free production parking, as available, at Veterans Memorial Park, the Culver City Senior Center, and Downtown parking structures
- Development of a film location familiarization tour in partnership with FilmLA to highlight Culver City filming locations and assets
- Creation of a film-specific business directory to connect productions with local vendors and service providers
- Extension of the suspension of business tax collection for itinerant motion picture and television producers for an additional 10 years
The approved measures include rolling back film permit and staffing fees to December 2024 levels (which have been the same since 2008) to stabilize production while creating a path for gradual fee adjustments after the pilot period. Additionally, the suspension of business tax collection for itinerant motion picture and television producers, originally enacted in 2011 and extended in 2016, will now continue through 2036.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Elaine Gerety Warner, Economic Development Director, at elaine.warner@culvercity.org or at (310) 253-5777.
Film Permitting and Applications
Culver City partners with FilmLA to coordinate all film permitting. Please submit an application to the FilmLA to begin the process. Once the application is received, the City will work with FilmLA and your team to provide a case-by-case approach based on your filming needs.
A film permit is required for filming or taping any commercial motion picture, television program, advertisement, music video, public service announcement, some commercial web-based productions, or similar production outside of an approved studio, and for certain commercial still photography. Filming activity also includes the setup and dismantling of all equipment. The film permit request process begins with submitting an application to Film LA, Culver City's contracted film coordinator for City-wide location shooting. A separate rental permit is required to film or photograph at any Culver City park facility, including the use of any parking lot at any park for base camp, catering, etc.
Film LA
(213) 977-8600
info@filmla.com
Filming at Parks/Recreational Facilities
Interested in filming at a City-owned facility? Please fill out the Film Permit Application in addition to the application for FilmLA. Once the initial review process is completed (please allow 72 hours - weekends/holidays excluded), we’ll follow-up via email with further instructions on how to proceed.
For any questions regarding film permits, please contact the City's Film Coordinator.