Film Permits

The Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Office (Georgia Film Office) does not issue film permits. Permitting is done at the municipal level (counties and cities).

Things to Note:

  • State Agencies: While the Georgia Film Office does not require permitting, you may encounter times when coordinating with a state agency maybe required. As municipalities have experience liaising with those agencies, it’s advantageous to work with the county or city film agency.

  • Private Property: Some counties and cities will require a permit when shooting on private property, some do not. If you’re not sure, ask.

  • Pyrotechnics, Smoke & Fog: Many municipalities will require a Fire Safety Officer (usually a Fire Marshall) on set if using pyrotechnics or smoke. This includes the use of prop guns with muzzle flash.

  • Free or Low Cost Locations: There are municipalities that do not charge or significantly waive portions of permit fees when using government buildings, facilities and parks as locations. In some cases, it only requires requesting a space far enough in advance to allow the facilities to accommodate shooting.

To inquire about guidelines, requirements and permitting for a location you are considering, you should contact the county Camera Ready Liaison.

The Georgia Film Office also maintains a list of municipalities and agencies that either require permits or have guidelines.

Locations

DeKalb Entertainment Commission

The DeKalb Entertainment Commission offers businesses in Georgia’s fast-growing entertainment industry access to a collaborative, supportive infrastructure which stimulates the growth and success of creative ventures in film, television, music and digital entertainment. // dekalbentertainment.com/film-locations/

Georgia Film Office

For over 40 years, the Georgia Film Office has been engaged in bringing film and television production to Georgia. The office maintains a locations database of thousands of properties, and provides scouting assistance as well as certifying projects for the tax incentive. With its temperate climate, great variety of locations, the world’s busiest airport, large crew base and pro-business focus, Georgia is now a leading destination in the world for filming. // bit.ly/GAreelscout

Camera Ready Georgia

Here is a list of Camera Ready County Liaisons and 600+ camera ready locations. We encourage you to contact the Camera Ready liaison in the county where you are considering filming. // cameraready.georgia.org/film

SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA Contracts & Industry Resources

Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is an American labor union representing approximately 160,000 film and television actors, journalists, radio personalities, recording artists, singers, voice actors, and other media professionals worldwide. // sagaftra.org/contracts-industry-resources

SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Chapter

The SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local services members working in Georgia and South Carolina. Find out about local productions, Casting Directors, and other local news. // sagaftra.org/atlanta

SAGindie

SAGindie promotes the working relationship between professional actors and passionate independent filmmakers. Since its formation in 1997, SAGindie has been traveling to film festivals, trade shows, and conventions spreading the word: Just because your film isn’t produced by a studio doesn’t mean you can’t use professional talent. As a free resource, SAGindie offers filmmakers clarity and kinship by guiding them through the SAG-AFTRA signatory process, making it even easier to hire professional actors, regardless of budget. // sagindie.org

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