New Agency Will Take Over From FilmLA After More Than a Decade
Beginning September 1, 2025, film permit coordination in Santa Monica will shift to a new locally managed entity, Film Santa Monica, established by the Santa Monica Travel & Tourism Office in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica.
The change marks the end of a 12-year partnership with FilmLA, the nonprofit agency that has served as the city’s primary liaison to the film production community since 2013. During that time, FilmLA processed more than 7,000 permit applications and helped the city align with the California Film Commission’s Model Film Ordinance.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to FilmLA for their many years of dedication and support in advancing filming and production throughout our city. Their contributions have been invaluable,” the City of Santa Monica said in a statement. “As we look to the future, we’re excited to welcome Film Santa Monica onboard to serve as the central hub for marketing and permitting commercial filming in the city.”
FilmLA will continue handling all permit applications submitted on or before August 31, 2025, and will provide support services such as location checks, cost estimates, and general inquiries until that date.
After the transition, all new filming requests and permit applications must be directed to Film Santa Monica. A dedicated website, www.filmsantamonica.com, is currently in development and expected to launch soon.
For additional information, inquiries can be directed to Evan Edwards, Chief Operating Officer of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, at eedwards@santamonica.com or by phone at (310) 319-6263.
