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Burbank staff tout low fees and marketing push to attract on‑location filming
Summary
A police‑department film permit analyst told the City Council that Burbank processes far more on‑location film permits than neighboring cities and plans a marketing campaign and one‑stop website to retain production work amid statewide declines and tax‑credit competition.
City staff told the Burbank City Council on Jan. 13 that the city is launching outreach and digital tools to boost on‑location filming as competition and tax incentives shift production patterns statewide.
Gina Kozai, administrative analyst assigned to the Burbank Police Department's film permit office, said Burbank averages approximately 917 on‑location film permit applications per year — excluding activity at permanent studio lots — and processes more permits than neighboring jurisdictions. "As a media capital of the world, Burbank has a legacy of supporting on location filming, and our film permit office continues to work closely with the industry to make filming in Burbank efficient, accessible, and welcoming," Kozai said.
Kozai described a targeted marketing campaign the city will run with the public information and economic development offices, including citywide advertising and original social media content, and said staff is developing a one‑stop website (www.filmburbankca.com) and exploring a platform to streamline applications and collect data on trends.
Staff acknowledged a regional challenge: Kozai told the council location managers still rank state tax credits as the primary factor steering production out of California, and that while Burbank is viewed positively by location managers the bigger market forces currently favor other jurisdictions.
Kozai also noted operational features the city emphasizes to film clients: Burbank maintains historically low permit fees (based on a 2017 fee study and unchanged since 2020), the film permit office provides personalized full‑service support five days a week, and because the office is housed in the police department a watch commander can assist 24/7 for urgent requests.
Council members thanked Kozai and asked staff to continue promotion; Council Member Anthony noted longtime production partners are aware of Burbank’s advantages but broader incentives drive decisions. Staff said the city will continue efforts to highlight Burbank’s low fees and permitting capacity in outreach to independent and student filmmakers as well as larger productions.
