Learn from the Sr. Director, Members & Programming of AFCI, the global authority on film commissions worldwide

Get access to the AFCI global directory and walk away knowing exactly how to find and use a film commission on your next project

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.

If you're a producer or content creator, there's a free resource available to you almost anywhere in the world that can save you time, money, and a significant amount of logistical headache - and chances are, you've never used it. Film commissions exist in cities, regions, states, and countries across the globe, and their entire purpose is to support productions like yours. Understanding what they are and how to work with them isn't just useful - it can be the difference between a smooth shoot and an expensive, preventable mess.

Yet for most producers, film commissions remain an afterthought, if they're considered at all. Some aren't aware they exist. Others assume a film commission is only relevant if there's a tax incentive involved. And many simply don't know what to ask for or when to reach out. The result is that productions move forward without tapping into location directories, permitting assistance, local government connections, and community resources that are sitting there, ready to use, at no cost.

Your instructor is Marjorie Galas, Sr. Director, Members & Programming at AFCI - the Association of Film Commissioners International. Marj leads member engagement and oversees educational programming that connects the global production community with film commission resources. Before joining AFCI, she served as Editor of Variety 411 and has reported for Variety, Below the Line News, and other industry outlets. She came up through production and editorial, which means she understands both sides of this conversation - the commission and the creative.

In this session, you'll get a clear picture of what a film commission actually is, how it's structured, and the full range of services it provides — from location scouting and permitting support to visa assistance and community connections. You'll learn when to reach out, what to ask, and how to use the AFCI's global directory to find the right commission for your project, wherever you're filming. By the time you're done, you'll know that a film commission should be your first call — before you lock your location and before you roll camera.

• What is a Film Commission

• Types of film commissions

• Government, non-profit

• Governance of a Film commission

• Government oversight

• Board of directors

• The area a film commission services

• City, regional, state, provincial, national

• Staffing and operations within a film commission

• Types of positions commonly found

• One person versus team

• Key functions of a film commission

• The goal of the film commission

• Attract production

• Economic impact through workforce development and tourism

• Regional awareness and recognition/marketing capabiliites

• Services offered by a film commission

• Goal of saving productions time and money!

• Directories: service and location

• Location assistance

• Local government and business assistance

• Logistical support and assistance

• Assistance with customs clearances and visa issues

• Assistance with permits and filming regulations

• Assistance with government departments (fire, forestry, etc)

• Assistance with location scouting and facilitation

• The stakeholders of a film commission

• Government agencies, tourism boards, local businesses, local stages and production services, local crew, local community

• Film commissions and their community

• Building film friendly communities, relationships with business owners of all types (fostering discounts and logistical support), screenings and engagements supporting community pride

• All Level Production Support

• When to connect: earliest stages

• Logistical suggestions to save time and money

• Support with connections for permits and permissions

• Discounts and other benefits

• Community connector

• Post production support

• Demo ofAFCI Website/Global Directory/Best Practices

• Q&A with Marjorie

• Independent producers and filmmakers at any stage of their career
• Content creators developing projects for film, TV, or streaming
• Production coordinators and line producers managing logistics
• Screenwriters and directors looking to take their projects into production
• Students and emerging creatives breaking into the industry