FilmLA Partners with Manhattan Beach to Streamline Film Permits
FilmLA is expanding its operations to include Manhattan Beach, as the organization announced a new partnership on Friday to manage the city’s film-permitting process. FilmLA, which already oversees production permitting in various areas of Los Angeles County, will start this collaboration as part of a one-year pilot program.
Beginning May 1, FilmLA will serve as the centralized coordinator for film permits and related services in Manhattan Beach. This initiative aims to streamline the city’s permitting process, aligning it more efficiently with the 16 other jurisdictions already under FilmLA’s purview, thereby easing the process for local productions.
“We’re thrilled to partner with FilmLA to streamline the permitting process here in Manhattan Beach,” said Mayor David Lesser in a statement. “FilmLA’s long-standing experience supporting productions across the region, combined with its expertise in multi-jurisdictional permit coordination and proactive community relations, makes them an ideal partner for our city.”
Manhattan Beach has recently updated its film policies to become more production-friendly, which includes reducing some filming-related fees and improving alignment with the California Film Commission’s Model Film Ordinance. The city’s departments will still maintain their roles as reviewers and approvers in the permitting process as this new partnership takes effect.
Located between El Segundo and Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach is home to approximately 35,500 residents and features notable sites like its historic pier, the Strand walking and biking path, Sand Dune Park, and a vibrant downtown area filled with shops and dining options.
Denise Gutches, CEO of FilmLA, commented, “This partnership was a natural fit given our long history of coordinating permits for Los Angeles County beaches and coastal jurisdictions throughout the region. We look forward to working with the city to make filming more straightforward and accessible for productions of all sizes and are excited to highlight Manhattan Beach as a prime filming location.”
Erik Pedersen contributed to this report.
