The Florida film industry has been hit hard with the recent losses of major television and film productions in the state (i.e. Ballers, Bloodlines, Live By Night). The losses have stirred a public outcry to increase incentive packages for studios to shoot their projects in the Sunshine State.

Films are proven economic drivers that provide jobs and publicity for cities. Georgia is experiencing a film tourism boom. The state’s attractive incentive packages continue to lure projects to their larger cities and rural areas.

Random Tropical Paradise shines a light on St. Pete

The St. Pete-Clearwater Film Commission (SPCFC) continues to work exhaustively to showcase all that the Burg and its neighboring cities have to offer aesthetically, historically and economically. In fact, Random Tropical Paradise, a comedy starring Bryan Greenberg (How to Make it in America, One Tree Hill, Noble Son) that was filmed in the St. Pete area, just landed a June 9 release in theaters and video on demand.

The organization is taking its passion for film and its love for our area all the way to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which begins on May 17.

Film commission joins with industry partners at pavilion 

SPCFC’s Pavilion at the festival will be replete with industry partners to help engage prospective filmmakers. The University of South Carolina Cinematography Department, Lipscomb University Film Department, Sunscreen Film Festival, and Fairway Film Alliance will be with the film commission to engage attendees and lead classes.

Workshops with the industry partners will provide curious visitors with information on how to create powerful works on a budget, the craft behind shooting driving sequences, and editing techniques. There will also be a daily networking happy hour.

Sunscreen Film Fest shorts to screen at Cannes

Residents who attended this year’s Sunscreen Film Festival will be delighted to know that ten short films from the event will screen at Cannes on May 23. Films include Five Films About Technology, All The Marbles, Lemon, BTS, The Bridge, No Other Way to Say It, Tiny Bacteria, The Collection, A Running Start, and Sugar.

Hillsborough County reported that The Infiltrator, which filmed in the area for just eight days, had an economic impact of nearly $1,000,000. The analysis from HCP, a marketing firm in Tampa, found that Hillsborough took in $490,192 in direct expenditures, $145,942 of indirect spending, and $320,886 from an “induced effect” to the local economy.

Florida is bursting with talented artists, filmmakers, and editors

The film industry also assists in talent retention. Florida State University, University of Tampa, Ringling College and many other Florida schools continue to produce leading voices in the arts and entertainment industry. Due to the fact that many jobs/opportunities for prospective filmmakers, set designers, and cinematographers aren’t available in the state of Florida, those talented students take their craft elsewhere.

SPCFC’s presence at Cannes is heartening. Here’s to hoping their efforts put the Burg on the map as a premier destination to film.