Central Florida vacations - Things to do in Central Florida

Filming in Central Florida

Our staff wants to make your filming and production easy in Central Florida’s Polk County. In-county support of technical and production services and facilities can easily accommodate your production needs.

Plan A Trip

Filming Locations in Polk County

Polk County government offices, chambers of commerce, industries, support services and local officials are all committed to making your job easy by providing our full cooperation.

Our goal is to be:

  • Film friendly
  • Permitting friendly
  • Service and response oriented
  • Your place for one-stop shopping whether you need locations or talented production crew

Indie Atlantic filming 2 couples eating at Born & Bread Bakehouse in Lakeland, FLWe encourage the growth and retention of the film industry in Polk County, by facilitating efforts to support the production, made for television movies, programming and specials, commercials, documentaries, music videos, industrial videos and still photography.

Scene Variety for Filming

You hear it all the time. In Central Florida’s Polk County you can quickly transport yourself to the Sahara desert, the jungles of South America, or the moon for that matter. We’ve got historic districts, Anywhere USA locales, and some of the most unique architecture in the South, with the largest one-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.

Geography of Central Florida

Central Florida’s Polk County is the geographic size of Rhode Island. With major highways that canvas the county, the major international airports of Tampa and Orlando are just 45 minutes away, while several municipalities maintain their own regional airports.

Central Florida Offers a Variety of Filming Locations

  • Anywhere USA: Downtowns & Neighborhoods
  • Lakes, Jungles, Rivers, Swamps
  • Beach & Desert
  • Roads: Hills and Flat
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture
  • Attractions – Bok Tower Gardens, Fantasy of Flight, Safari Wilderness and LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
  • Westgate River Ranch Resort, Western

Please view our Reel Scout photo library to see some of our fabulous locations.Indie Atlantic film crew on a nature path at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, FL

Film Permit Procedures

The Central Florida Motion Picture and Television Office provides you with one-stop permitting when it comes to dealing with the seventeen cities in Central Florida’s Polk County. Filming permits are required in Polk County, Central Florida and are free. Please allow 3 days (72 hours) for permit to be processed. For any partial or full street closure an approved Road Closure Request Form is required. Off-duty police assistance will also be needed for any road closures. For any questions or assistance please contact the film commission office.

Email Michael Hogan for a Film Permit Application and Road Closure Request Form.

Film Insurance Requirements

A certificate of insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 (one million dollars) or more for general liability with “Polk County, a political subdivision of the State of Florida” named as additionally insured. It is requested that the Insurance certificate be received 3 days (72 hours) in advance. Higher coverage may be required for more hazardous productions involving stunts or pyrotechnics.

Local Contact Information

For more information about filming in Polk County, contact Michael Hogan.

Central Florida Motion Picture/Television

Email Michael Hogan
2701 Lake Myrtle Park
Auburndale, FL 33823
Phone: 863-551-4707
Fax: 863-551-4740

water ripples used as email signup background

Subscribe to EMAIL LIST

Join our email list and stay up to date with all the great things happening in Florida’s Sweetest Spot.