Manhattan Beach, FilmLA Partnering On Program To Centralize Film Permitting

The City of Manhattan Beach and the nonprofit organization FilmLA have formed a partnership to centralize film permitting services under a one-year pilot program.

Under the agreement, FilmLA will serve as the city's coordinator for film permits and related services, allowing productions to use a single application process for Manhattan Beach and 16 other jurisdictions served by the nonprofit.

The program is scheduled to kick off May 1.

FilmLA, the nonprofit film office for the city and county of Los Angeles, works with local jurisdictions to coordinate film permitting and production.

Manhattan Beach officials recently approved changes aimed at making filming more accessible, including reducing some fees and updating policies to better align with the California Film Commission's model film ordinance.

While FilmLA will handle application processing, city departments will continue to review and approve permits.

``We're thrilled to partner with FilmLA to streamline the permitting process here in Manhattan Beach,'' Mayor David Lesser said 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.''

"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,'' FilmLA CEO Denise Gutches added.

City News Service contributed to this report.