Broward County film incentives are led by Florida’s most competitive local program structure — and Greater Fort Lauderdale doesn’t get the recognition it deserves from producers based outside Florida. Moving Picture Rental has been headquartered in Fort Lauderdale since 1987, serving productions through every phase of this market’s growth. MovieMaker Magazine ranked Greater Fort Lauderdale among the top places in the U.S. to live and work as a filmmaker. Here is everything producers, line producers, and UPMs need to know about Broward County film incentives before locking your budget.
Moving Picture Rental crew on location in Broward County
Why Are Broward County Film Incentives Florida’s Most Competitive?
While Miami-Dade and Orange County each have one flagship incentive program, Broward operates seven separate programs administered by Film Lauderdale — covering productions from $400,000 indie shoots all the way to $12M+ scripted series. The 2025 addition of the Scripted Series Program means Broward now has the highest rebate cap in Florida for television productions. No other Florida county matches this range of options or total fund availability.
What Are the 7 Broward County Film Incentive Programs?
Broward County film incentives are administered by Film Lauderdale and cover seven distinct programs — making Broward County film incentives the most varied and competitive rebate structure of any county in Florida.
1. Scripted Series Program — Florida’s Highest Cap for TV
The newest and most powerful program in the Broward portfolio, launched in 2025. Designed to attract long-term TV production that creates sustained high-wage jobs.
- Minimum Broward spend: $12,000,000
- Rebate: 25% — capped at $5,000,000 per project (highest cap in Florida)
- Full season minimum 6 episodes; distribution must be secured before applying
- County contract can guarantee funding for a renewal season if series is renewed within 6 months of wrap
- Production offices and soundstages must be based in Broward County
- Pre-application meeting with Film Commission required before submitting
- Selection committee decision: County Administrator, Director of Economic & Small Business Development, and Film Commissioner
2. Multiple Project Guarantee (MPG) — Florida’s Highest Rebate Percentage
For studios committing to multiple high-profile productions. Florida’s top rebate rate — 30% — reserved for productions demonstrating long-term market investment.
- Minimum spend: $4,000,000 per project (aggregate $8M minimum across 2 projects)
- Rebate: 30% — capped at $2,500,000 per project
- Minimum 2 projects from same studio or production company within a 3-year window
- Only high-profile scripted TV/streaming series or major motion pictures with distribution qualify
- Rebate paid after both projects are completed and all paperwork received
- Limited availability — pre-application meeting required
3. High Impact Film & TV Program — Large-Scale Productions
- Minimum Broward spend: $5,000,000
- Rebate: 20% — capped at $2,000,000
- Scripted TV/streaming series or major motion picture with distribution only
- Production offices and soundstages must be based in Broward
- Pre-application meeting required; selection committee approval
4. Film & TV Program — Broward’s Entry-Level Production Rebate
- Minimum Broward spend: $400,000
- Rebate: 20% — capped at $800,000
- 60% of all production days must be filmed in Broward County
- 55% of main cast and crew must be Broward/Miami-Dade/Palm Beach residents (minimum 30% Broward)
- Best for: scripted productions with a Broward base and budgets up to ~$4M local spend
5. Partial Project Program — For Productions Based Elsewhere
- Minimum Broward spend: $1,500,000
- Rebate: 20% — capped at $500,000 per episode or partial feature
- Minimum 5 production days in Broward (days may be cumulative across a season)
- Only high-profile studio tentpole/franchise features or major TV/streaming series with distribution
- Best for: large productions primarily based in Miami-Dade or elsewhere, adding significant Broward shoot days
6. TV Commercial Attraction Program
- Minimum spend: $400,000
- Rebate: 15% — capped at $175,000
- 60% of preproduction and filming days must be in Broward County
- Best for: major brand advertising campaigns and high-end commercial shoots
7. Emerging Filmmakers Grant — Broward Residents Only
- $10,000 grant for Broward County resident filmmakers with 3+ years of original work and distribution or major festival acceptance
- Proof of $10,000 matching funds required — total project budget must exceed $20,000
- 80% of production days in Broward; 70% of cast and crew must be Broward residents
- 15 grants available per year; distributed in 4 quarterly payments tied to production phases
- Applicants may qualify once every other year
How Do All 7 Broward Programs Compare at a Glance?
| Program | Min. Spend | Rebate | Cap | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripted Series | $12,000,000 | 25% | $5,000,000 | Full-season scripted TV/streaming; renewal guarantee available |
| Multiple Project Guarantee | $4,000,000/proj. | 30% | $2,500,000 | Studios committing to 2+ projects in 3 years |
| High Impact Film & TV | $5,000,000 | 20% | $2,000,000 | Large features and scripted series |
| Film & TV Program | $400,000 | 20% | $800,000 | Smaller scripted productions with Broward base |
| Partial Project Program | $1,500,000 | 20% | $500,000 | Productions filming 5+ days in Broward |
| TV Commercial Attraction | $400,000 | 15% | $175,000 | High-end commercial and advertising shoots |
| Emerging Filmmakers Grant | N/A | Grant | $10,000 | Broward-resident independent filmmakers |
MPR equipment on set in Greater Fort Lauderdale
What Requirements Apply Across All Broward Programs?
| Requirement | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local vendor spend | 50% from Broward businesses | 15% of those must be CBE/SBE certified small businesses |
| Main cast & crew residency | 55% from Broward/Miami-Dade/Palm Beach | Minimum 30% must be Broward County residents |
| Production days | 60% in Broward County | Partial Project: minimum 5 cumulative days |
| College hire | 2 qualified college students or graduates | Alternatively: PA Training Program graduates |
| Application timing | Before principal photography begins | PP must start within 120 days of approval |
| Submission format | PDF via email only | film@filmlauderdale.org — incomplete packages not accepted |
| Post-production compliance | Within 240 days of project completion | Final crew list, vendor list, call sheets, production reports required |
| Screen credit | Broward County identifier in end credits | Provided by Film Lauderdale after approval |
| Public records | All documents subject to Florida Statute Ch. 119 | Audit results, financials, COIs are public record |
How Do Broward County Film Incentives Compare to Other Florida Programs?
| County / Program | Min. Spend | Rebate | Cap | Key Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broward Scripted Series (NEW) | $12,000,000 | 25% | $5,000,000 | Highest cap in Florida; renewal guarantee |
| Broward MPG | $4,000,000/proj. | 30% | $2,500,000 | Highest rebate % in Florida |
| Miami-Dade HIFFP | $5,000,000 | 20% | Uncapped ($10M annual fund) | No per-project cap; 70% local vendor requirement |
| Broward High Impact | $5,000,000 | 20% | $2,000,000 | Selection committee approval required |
| Broward Film & TV | $400,000 | 20% | $800,000 | Lowest entry point for scripted rebate |
| Orange County (Orlando) | $250,000 | 10% | $50,000 | TV commercials only; launching Q2 2026 |
Shooting across multiple Florida markets? See our dedicated guides: Miami-Dade Film Incentives 2026 and Orange County Film Incentives 2026.
Florida Sales Tax Exemption — Stack It on Top of Your Broward Rebate
Florida’s Production Sales Tax Exemption (Florida Statute s. 212.08) applies statewide and reduces your equipment costs on any Florida production — completely independent of the Broward rebate programs above. You can use both simultaneously.
| Certificate Type | Who Qualifies | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| 90-Day Certificate | Short-term or visiting productions | Application to Florida Dept. of Revenue |
| 1-Year Certificate | Florida-based business (12+ months) | Proof of permanent Florida address |
| Annual Resale Certificate | Registered Florida sales tax dealers | Active Florida sales tax account |
How Accurate Is the Broward Incentive Information You Find Online?
Broward County’s incentive structure changes more frequently than most Florida counties — the Scripted Series Program was added in 2025 and several program caps have been updated since the programs launched in 2022. Many widely-cited national production databases and incentive tracking platforms have not kept pace with these changes, and may list incorrect caps, missing programs, or outdated application procedures.
For productions based outside Florida, this creates a genuine budget risk. A line producer building against a wrong rebate cap will have an unrecoverable gap when the audit results come in. The information in this post was verified directly from the Film Lauderdale official incentive programs page in February 2026. Always confirm current details directly with Film Lauderdale before finalizing your budget: film@filmlauderdale.org or (954) 357-8788.
How to Apply for Broward County Film Incentives — Step by Step
The Broward application has hard sequencing requirements that catch many out-of-state productions off guard. Here is the correct order of operations:
- Identify your program. Review all seven programs against your budget, project type, and shoot day count. You can only apply to one program per project — no transfers after submission. Use the comparison table above to narrow your options before contacting Film Lauderdale.
- Schedule a pre-application meeting if required. The Scripted Series, High Impact, MPG, and Partial Project programs all require a meeting with the Film Commission before you can apply. Email film@filmlauderdale.org to arrange this early — these meetings are scheduled on Film Lauderdale’s calendar, not yours.
- Assemble your complete application package. Required documents: final script or storyboards (or detailed scene description for commercials), story synopsis, itemized Broward County budget, proof of financing, and a full production schedule showing Broward and non-Broward days separately.
- Lock in your local Broward vendors before submitting. The 50% local vendor threshold is a qualifying criterion — not something you can patch retroactively. Confirm your equipment house, catering, and transportation are Broward-registered before your application goes in.
- Submit via email in PDF format before principal photography begins. The only accepted address is film@filmlauderdale.org. Incomplete packages are rejected outright. You will receive an email confirmation upon receipt — if you don’t receive one within 2 business days, follow up immediately.
- Begin principal photography within 120 days of approval. This deadline is firm. If your schedule shifts significantly, contact Film Lauderdale before the window expires — an extension may be granted at their discretion.
- Track compliance throughout production. Maintain crew residency declarations, vendor COIs, call sheets, and production reports throughout the shoot — not just at wrap. Retroactive documentation is frequently rejected.
- Submit compliance paperwork within 240 days of project completion. Required: final crew list, final vendor list, final call sheets, final production reports, and all audit materials per the Film Lauderdale Standard Operating Procedure. Reference the SOP documents at filmlauderdale.org before assembling your package.
- Receive your rebate. Disbursed after Film Lauderdale’s internal audit confirms all requirements are met. For MPG productions, payment is released after both projects are completed.
MPR crew and equipment supporting Broward County production
Ready to Shoot in Broward County? Moving Picture Rental Has You Covered.
Moving Picture Rental is Florida’s full-service production partner. We supply vetted crews, digital cine cameras, lenses, G&E, production supplies, and 24/7 delivery.
Miami / Fort Lauderdale: (305) 522-1361
Orlando: (407) 674-2054
Fort Myers: (239) 288-0351
Tampa: (813) 296-2737
Or request a quote.
About The Author
David Wells - Moving Picture President
David Wells is the President of Moving Picture Rental, where he has the privilege of wearing many hats -- Producer, Director, Cameraman, and Technologist. An entrepreneur at heart, Wells injects creativity and innovation into every role and helps guide producers and filmmakers with their projects. Call David Wells and his team, and they’ll show you how to make your production an outstanding one.
