INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Film and entertainment in Florida is a $3.9 billion industry, employing almost 34,000 Floridians in 5,599 businesses statewide. In 2007, Production Update magazine named Florida as one of the top 10 filming locations in the United States. In addition, Palm Beach County was named one of the 10 “Great Locations, Coast to Coast” for filming (Markee, December 2007).

An assessment by the Florida Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment states “The opening of global markets has offered an opportunity for Florida, and Southeast Florida in particular to be a leading center for motion picture distribution, finance and other higher order activities within the industry.” This is prevalent in Palm Beach County by the number of large projects that have lensed their productions in the County. For example, feature films such as Bad Boys 2, Heartbreakers, In Her Shoes, and the Untitled Teen Road Movie, television projects such as BET Spring Bling and Cane, commercials for Giant Food Stores, the Florida Marlins and LA Weight Loss and still photography shoots for Lacoste, Land Rover and Lilly Pulitzer were drawn to Palm Beach County, because of the locations, large crew base, state incentives and other amenities offered to filmmakers.

The Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission was created to generate a positive impact on business tourism and the economy in Palm Beach County through the growth of the film, television and still photography industry by attracting on location production, educating our local workforce and providing superior services to both the visiting and the indigenous production community.

Since 1991 the film and television industry in Palm Beach County has grown from $15.3 million in production revenue to over $128 million in 2007. This revenue was generated by 9 feature films/movies of the week, 208 television shows, 50 commercials, 50 still photography shoots, and 55 various projects, that used PBC’s locations, crew base and production facilities. In addition Palm Beach County is home to 13 local TV and cable stations, and 66 production companies that produce a total of 1,970 television programs.

There are many opportunities to get involved with this growing industry, both locally and through statewide initiatives. Volunteer, take a class, Intern, list in the Film Florida Production Guide, attend one of our popular film festivals, join Film Florida, visit the Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum or participate in Production Round Table Events. Information about all of these opportunities can be found throughout this website.