Film commissions by country
A production's first call in a new country. Each entry links to the office and says what it handles, from permits to rebates.
North America
United States
State and city film offices
The US has no national film commission: each state, and many cities, run their own film office. The Association of Film Commissioners International lists the government-sanctioned ones.
Sources: Wikipedia: Association of Film Commissioners International · DGA: film commissions
Canada
Ontario Film Commission Ontario (Toronto)
Promotes Ontario, including Toronto, and helps productions with location scouting, production support and government liaison.
Sources: Ontario Film Commission
BC Film Commission (Creative BC) British Columbia (Vancouver)
The provincial agency that promotes film and TV production in British Columbia, including Metro Vancouver.
Europe
United Kingdom
British Film Commission
The national agency for international film and TV production in the UK: free production support, help sourcing studios, crew and locations, and guidance on tax reliefs, permits and visas.
Sources: British Film Commission: who we are
France
Film France CNC
The French film commission, part of the CNC: the one-stop shop for foreign productions, working with a network of more than 32 regional film commissions.
Sources: Film France CNC: who we are · CNC: filming in France
Germany
German Federal Film Fund (DFFF)
Germany's federal production incentive: a grant of 30% of approved German production costs since 2025, for German and international (co-)productions. New federal funding guidelines were in draft in May 2026.
Sources: FFA: German Federal Film Fund · Greenberg Traurig: Germany updates federal film funding
Berlin Brandenburg Film Commission Berlin and Brandenburg
First contact for filming in the Berlin region: filming permits, locations and contacts in the regional industry. Part of Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg.
Portugal
Portugal Film Commission
Promotes Portugal as a filming destination and supports productions, with a 30% cash rebate for film, TV and streaming productions.
Sources: Portugal Film Commission: PFC · Abreu Advogados: Portugal Film Commission
Estonia
Film Estonia
Estonia's film commission, part of the Estonian Film Institute, runs a production incentive for features, documentaries, animation and high-end TV drama.
Sources: AFCI: Film Estonia
Middle East
United Arab Emirates
Dubai Film and TV Commission Dubai
The only body that issues shooting permits for media production in Dubai, for public and private locations, through its Location Approval Services office; AED 500 processing fee per application.
Sources: Dubai Film and TV Commission: FAQs · Wikipedia: Dubai Film and TV Commission
Abu Dhabi Film Commission Abu Dhabi
Part of Abu Dhabi's Creative Media Authority. Offers a cashback rebate of 35% on qualifying productions, with up to 50% support from 1 January 2025.
Sources: Abu Dhabi Media Office: rebate enhancements · Wikipedia: Abu Dhabi Film Commission
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Film Commission
Filming in public or private spaces needs a permit from the Saudi Film Commission (Ministry of Culture), which also helps with locations and logistics under the Film Saudi initiative.
Sources: Saudi Film Commission: FAQ · Wikipedia: Saudi Film Commission
Africa
Nigeria
Nigerian Film Corporation
Issues filming permits (about USD 350 per production, usually within 3 days, covering up to a week). In Lagos the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board issues them. Foreign productions apply through a registered Nigerian sponsor company.
Sources: Atlas Film Fixers: filming in Nigeria · African Fixer: film production in Nigeria
Ghana
National Film Authority
Issues filming permits for foreign productions, with location, dates, equipment, crew and stunts listed: USD 100 plus a USD 50 application fee, about 5–15 days, applied for through a local fixer.
Sources: National Film Authority: apply for permits · Ghana Fixer: permits for filming in Ghana
Kenya
Kenya Film Commission
No film may be made in Kenya without a filming licence. Applications go through a registered local agent; licences for features and TV series are processed within 48 hours.
Sources: Embassy of Kenya, Washington: filming licence · Wikipedia: Kenya Film Commission
South Africa
Wesgro Film and Media Cape Town and Western Cape
Cape Town and the Western Cape's official promotion agency, with a locations guide for productions.
Sources: Wesgro: film locations
Gauteng Film Commission Gauteng (Johannesburg)
The provincial agency that develops and promotes film and TV production in Gauteng, including Johannesburg.
Sources: AFCI: Gauteng Film Commission
Caribbean
Jamaica
Film Jamaica (JAMPRO)
Jamaica's film commission: filming permits and licences for local and foreign productions.
Asia
Japan
Japan Film Commission
The national film commission and first contact for filming in Japan: a non-profit network of more than 130 regional film commissions, based in Tokyo.
Sources: Japan Film Commission: purpose · AFCI: Japan Film Commission
South Korea
Korean Film Council (KOFIC)
Runs Korea's location incentive: up to 25% of eligible Korean spending for foreign productions that shoot at least five days and spend at least KRW 400 million locally.
Sources: Wikipedia: KOFIC Location Incentive
India
Film Facilitation Office
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's office for foreign productions: apply online with the script for national permission (USD 225 fee), usually granted within about three weeks.
Sources: Film Facilitation Office: step-by-step guide · Film Facilitation Office: FAQs
China
China Film Co-Production Corporation
Foreign productions filming on the mainland apply through CFCC, which reviews the script and seeks project approval and a co-production permit. Each province needs its own permit; plan three to six months ahead.
Sources: ASEF culture360: China Film Co-Production Corporation · Screen Global Production: filming in China
Thailand
Thailand Film Office
Every foreign production needs a Thailand Film Office permit, applied for through a local coordinator registered with the office (Department of Tourism).
Sources: Thailand Film Office: film permit · Thailand Film Office: FAQ
Malaysia
Film in Malaysia Office (FINAS)
Facilitates filming and runs the Film in Malaysia Incentive: a 30% cash rebate on qualifying Malaysian spending, with a minimum of RM5 million for foreign productions.
Sources: Film in Malaysia: about us · Yahoo News Malaysia: Film in Malaysia Incentive
Oceania
Australia
State and territory screen agencies
Australia's states and territories each run a screen agency; the AFCI directory lists the film commissions.
Last verified October 6, 2026 by Terrell Groggins. Rules change: check the official source before you shoot or post. This is not legal advice.