Movie Tourism: How Communities Turn Film Productions into Long-Term Wins
October 8, 2025
Beyond the Big Screen: Turning Your Community into a Movie Tourism Destination
When we think of the film industry, we often picture Hollywood stars and blockbuster premieres. But behind the glamour, film, television, animation, and gaming are powerful economic engines that can transform a local community. From creating jobs to filling hotel rooms and supporting small businesses, the impact of a single production can ripple across every sector of a local economy.
Recognizing this, states like California, Texas, Georgia, and Arizona (just to name a few) are aggressively ramping up their movie tourism incentives to attract this lucrative business. But it’s not just about tax credits; it’s about creating a “film-friendly” environment. For community leaders, understanding the benefits and taking the first steps to welcome production is key to getting a piece of the action.
The Benefits of Saying “Action!”
Hosting a film production offers a diverse range of rewards that go far beyond the initial location fees paid to property and business owners.
- Positive PR & Film Tourism: A successful film or TV show puts a location on the map, often leading to a surge in tourism as fans flock to see where their favorite scenes were shot. This provides invaluable, long-term marketing for a destination.
- Local Economic Boost: Productions hire local crews, book hotel room blocks for cast and crew, cater meals from local restaurants, and purchase supplies from local businesses, providing a significant and immediate injection of cash into the community.
- Community Pride: Seeing your hometown featured on screen creates a powerful sense of local pride and can help foster a more vibrant arts and creative community.
Movie Tourism: How to Become a Film-Friendly Community
Attracting productions doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a proactive approach. Here are the first steps your community can take:
1. Create an Easy and Fast Permitting Process
This is arguably the most critical first step. Film production operates on an incredibly tight and expensive schedule. A single day of shooting can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and delays are costly. Location scouts and producers are always looking for the path of least resistance.
Why it’s important:
A complicated, slow, or bureaucratic permitting process is a major red flag for any production. If they can’t get a clear and quick “yes” on when and where they can film, they will simply move on to the next town on their list. A streamlined process shows that you understand the speed at which the industry moves and that you are a reliable partner.
2. Foster a Film-Friendly Environment
Beyond permits, a community must demonstrate a willingness to actively support a production’s needs. This means being prepared to accommodate large crews, equipment trucks, and logistical requests like temporary street closures.
Why it’s important:
Productions bring controlled chaos. A community that embraces this and works to find solutions rather than create roadblocks becomes a highly sought-after partner. This reputation for cooperation is invaluable in the close-knit production world.
3. Build a Library of Film-Ready Locations
A diverse, well-photographed online location library is a film commission’s most important marketing tool. Think beyond the obvious landmarks. Do you have a park that could pass for Europe? A historic downtown that feels like a different era? A modern office building?
Why it’s important:
Versatility is key. The more a single destination can double for other places, the more valuable it becomes. A robust library allows location scouts to visualize the possibilities and saves them time, making your community an easy choice.
4. Get to Know Your Local Police and Fire Departments
Public safety officials are essential partners in any production. From managing traffic control for a street scene to being on standby for special effects, their cooperation is non-negotiable.
Why it’s important:
Building these relationships before a production comes to town is crucial. When police and fire departments understand the process and are part of the planning team, it ensures shoots are safe, efficient, and professional—a major selling point for any producer.
5. Educate Your Local Leaders
Ensure your elected officials and community leaders understand the tangible benefits of supporting the film industry. One of the best ways to frame this is to compare a film production to a major convention or a big sporting event.
Why it’s important:
A film crew functions like a temporary, high-spending business that comes to town. They utilize hotels, restaurants, rental car agencies, and local shops in much the same way. When leaders see film production as a powerful form of economic development, they are more likely to provide the high-level support needed to build a sustainable local industry.
How Madden Can Help
Becoming a film-friendly community is a strategic process, and Madden Media has the expertise to guide you every step of the way. Here are just some of the ways our team, which includes former film commissioners, can help you:
- Develop a Strategic Plan: We create a clear roadmap to build your film industry from the ground up.
- Build Your Digital Location Library: We provide photography, videography, and web development to showcase your community’s most film-worthy locations.
- Create a Strategic Marketing & Sales Program: We design the essential tools you need to sell your destination, including compelling pitch decks and one-sheets. We also develop and manage your presence at key film festivals and tradeshows, and execute targeted advertising and PR campaigns to ensure you’re reaching industry decision makers, producers and location scouts.
- Foster Community & Stakeholder Engagement: We help you build crucial relationships with local leaders, public safety, and business owners to create a truly film-ready environment.
- Provide Research & Data Analysis: We deliver the crucial data and insights needed to understand your competitive landscape, identify opportunities, and make informed strategic decisions.
