St. Pete-Clearwater Film Comission
Info
Locations
Incentives
Film Credits
Contact
Introduction to St. Pete-Clearwater Film Comission
Nestled on a sun-soaked peninsula on Florida’s west coast, separating the Gulf Coast from Tampa Bay, St. Pete-Clearwater is the gateway to world-class cultural experiences and 35 miles of award-winning white-sand beaches, annually ranked among the world’s best.
With 24 diverse communities, there is a range of dynamic settings to explore, from small town coastal charm to large cityscapes and everything in between. Being a destination for year-round commercial production, there are a variety of production companies, studio spaces, and skilled local crews to help bring your vision to life. Productions can also save on local expenditures with the St. Pete-Clearwater Film Commission’s regional Screen Industry Incentive Program and no film permit fees.
Productions That Call St. Pete-Clearwater Film Comission
St. Pete-Clearwater has a long and storied history of feature film production, providing a picturesque and diverse backdrop—nature, urban, and waterfront. You can also see the destination shine in the classics Cocoon and Summer Rental and catch glimpses of our slice of paradise in Hollywood classics Lethal Weapon, Ocean’s 11, and The Punisher (2004).
Production Credits
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HGTV’s Rock the Block Season 5 (2024)
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Dolphin Tale 1 & 2 (2011 & 2014)
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The Infiltrator (2016)
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Magic Mike (2012)
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Spring Breakers (2012)
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Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
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Hallmark Channel’s A Taste of Love (2024) & Love in The Sun (2019)
A Few Filming Locations in St. Pete-Clearwater Film Comission
Downtown St. Pete
Clearwater Beach
Fort De Soto
Small Town Charm
Downtown St. Pete
Nicknamed the “Sunshine City,” St. Petersburg, Florida, holds the Guinness Book of World Records mark for the most consecutive days of sunshine. Its downtown is situated on the mouth of Tampa Bay, offering unique coastal and metropolitan locations. With a robust arts community, several boutique storefronts, museums, and murals have allowed filmmakers to take advantage of the city’s artistic urban landscape, along with a bustling downtown and the historic Vinoy Resort.
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Clearwater Beach
Perennially ranked among the best beaches in the country and around the globe, Clearwater Beach was recently rated by Travel + Leisure as one of the Top 15 White-Sand Beaches in the World. Rated as the No.1 Beach in the South by USA Today in 2025, its calm emerald waters and sugar-sand beaches have made it the perfect backdrop for eye-catching coastal scenes and vivid sunsets. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, located near Clearwater Beach, played a seminal role in the films Dolphin Tale 1 & 2.
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Fort De Soto
The largest park in St. Pete-Clearwater, Fort De Soto is 1,136 acres of five interconnected islands (keys). These keys are home to untampered beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, and scores of native plants. With large stretches of undeveloped beach, it’s been a popular filming location for music videos, including for artists such as Carrie Underwood, national and international brand commercials and a host of feature films.
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Small Town Charm
One of several small-town coastal communities in St. Pete-Clearwater, Safety Harbor is known for its moss-draped hanging oaks, brick roads and a whimsical arts scene. Its bustling Main Street is home to 20th-century historic hotels and buildings, as well as family-owned storefronts and breweries. The charming small-town feel has made it particularly appealing for the Hallmark film Love in The Sun. Other coastal small-town communities include Dunedin— another perfect backdrop featured in Hallmark’s A Taste of Love—the eclectic city of Gulfport, and colorful sponge docks in Tarpon Springs.
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St. Pete–Clearwater Screen Industry Incentive (Pinellas County, FL)
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Up to 30 % cash back on every qualified local dollar you spend across Pinellas County’s 24 municipalities—no minimum spend.
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Base: 15 % rebate on crew, vendors, hotels, locations and other above/below-the-line costs. Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida
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Marketing uplift: earn an extra 0-15 % (for a combined 30 %) when your project supplies tourism-promo deliverables such as behind-the-scenes photography, an ATL testimonial video, FilmSPC end-credit, social-media push, premiere or press event. Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida
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All budgets welcome—eligible from the very first dollar; shorts, features, series, docs and digital content all qualify. Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida
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Per-project payout cap: $300,000 (grants above $250 k require County Commission sign-off). Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida
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Straightforward close-out: submit CPA-attested spend and deliverables checklist, then collect your rebate—no state-level queue. Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida
How the St. Pete–Clearwater Film Commission Helps
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Pre-budget review to show exactly how 15-30 % lands in your cost report.
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Location pulls ranging from sugar-sand beaches and Gulf-front art deco to quirky downtown murals.
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Crew & vendor matchmaking—gear houses, stages, hotels, post and drone ops that keep dollars (and rebate eligibility) local.
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Deliverables coaching & audit prep so paperwork clears on first pass.
Ready to roll cameras on Florida’s Gulf Coast—and roll savings back into production value?
Start your application at FilmSPC.com or call the St. Pete–Clearwater Film Commission for a personalized incentive estimate today.
Learn More About Rebates & Incentives
Unlock the Perfect Backdrop for Your Production
CONTACT
St. Pete-Clearwater Film Commission
Quinn Chittenden
Info@FilmSPC.com
(727) 464-7241
FilmSPC.com