While Miami's beaches have long been the star, the city’s booming film industry is now stealing the show, pumping a staggering $1.4 billion into the local economy in 2023 alone.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Miami film industry contributed $1.4 billion to the local economy through direct production spending on films and TV shows
- Miami-Dade County's film production spending reached $892 million in 2022, marking a 15% increase from 2021
- The film sector in Miami generated 28,500 jobs in 2023, supporting ancillary industries like hospitality
- In 2023, Miami hosted 312 permitted film and TV productions, a 18% rise from 2022
- Feature films produced in Miami numbered 47 in 2022, including 12 major studio releases
- TV series episodes shot in Miami totaled 1,256 in 2023 across 28 shows
- The Miami film workforce totals 18,200 direct employees in 2023
- Below-the-line jobs in production: 12,500 in Miami 2022, up 10% YoY
- Above-the-line talent like directors: 1,890 hired locally in 2023
- Miami has 14 soundstages totaling 85,000 sq ft operational in 2023
- Water tank facilities for underwater shoots: 3 in Miami-Dade with 22,000 sq ft combined
- Backlots mimicking urban Miami: 2 facilities covering 15 acres in 2022
- Florida's film incentive program allocated $45 million to Miami projects in 2023
- Miami-Dade's local rebate covered 20% of qualified spend for 112 productions in 2022
- New studio investments: $250 million poured into Miami facilities since 2021
Miami's film industry thrives, driving billions in spending and creating thousands of local jobs.
Economic Impact
- In 2023, the Miami film industry contributed $1.4 billion to the local economy through direct production spending on films and TV shows
- Miami-Dade County's film production spending reached $892 million in 2022, marking a 15% increase from 2021
- The film sector in Miami generated 28,500 jobs in 2023, supporting ancillary industries like hospitality
- Hotel occupancy from film crews in Miami increased by 22% in 2022 due to 147 major productions
- Local vendor expenditures by film productions in Miami totaled $450 million in 2023
- The multiplier effect of film spending in Miami created an additional $750 million in indirect economic activity in 2022
- Miami's film industry tax revenue for the city was $98 million in 2023, up 12% from prior year
- Film tourism from productions like 'Bad Boys' generated $320 million in visitor spending in Miami over 5 years
- In 2023, 65% of Miami film budgets were spent on local goods and services, totaling $910 million
- The film industry's GDP contribution to Miami-Dade was 1.8% or $2.1 billion in 2022
- Catering and food services for film shoots in Miami earned $145 million in 2023
- Transportation costs covered by film productions amounted to $210 million in Miami in 2022
- Real estate rentals for production offices in Miami generated $78 million revenue in 2023
- Retail sales boosted by film crews reached $56 million in South Beach area alone in 2022
- Film-related construction spending in Miami totaled $112 million for sets and stages in 2023
- Utility expenditures by productions were $34 million in Miami-Dade in 2022
- Marketing and promotion spending by films shot in Miami was $67 million in 2023
- Insurance premiums from film productions contributed $22 million to local insurers in 2022
- Legal and accounting services for Miami films billed $41 million in 2023
- Printing and reproduction costs for scripts and materials hit $15 million in Miami in 2022
- Telecommunications expenses for crews totaled $28 million during 2023 shoots
- Waste management services for productions cost $9.5 million in Miami in 2022
- Medical and safety services billed $18 million to film companies in 2023
- Education and training programs funded by industry added $12 million to local schools in 2022
- Charitable donations from Miami film events raised $8.7 million in 2023
- Apparel and wardrobe purchases locally totaled $31 million in 2022
- Equipment rentals generated $156 million for Miami vendors in 2023
- Post-production spending in Miami facilities was $89 million in 2022
- Distribution and logistics costs hit $45 million for films from Miami in 2023
Economic Impact Interpretation
Miami's film industry is no mere cameo appearance in the local economy; it's a blockbuster leading man, strutting into town with a billion-dollar entourage that feeds hotels, fills wardrobes, builds sets, and even takes out the trash, all while dropping a hefty tax-revenue tip on its way out.
Employment Data
- The Miami film workforce totals 18,200 direct employees in 2023
- Below-the-line jobs in production: 12,500 in Miami 2022, up 10% YoY
- Above-the-line talent like directors: 1,890 hired locally in 2023
- Grip and electric crew positions: 4,200 filled in Miami shoots 2022
- Post-production editors employed: 2,100 in Miami facilities 2023
- VFX artists in Miami: 1,450 working on 89 projects in 2022
- Production assistants: 3,400 entry-level jobs created in 2023
- Costume designers and wardrobe staff: 890 employed in 2022
- Location managers: 210 certified in Miami area 2023
- Sound mixers and boom ops: 1,120 jobs in 2022 productions
- Camera operators and DPs: 1,650 hired for 2023 shoots
- Make-up and hair artists: 980 positions filled in Miami 2022
- Stunt coordinators: 145 employed across 67 films in 2023
- Script supervisors: 420 working in 2022 TV seasons
- Prop masters and set dressers: 1,780 jobs in 2023
- Transportation coordinators: 320 for film fleets in 2022
- Catering staff peaks at 2,500 daily during big shoots in 2023
- Security personnel: 890 contracted for productions 2022
- Animal handlers: 120 jobs for films with animals in 2023
- Diversity hires: 45% of crew positions filled by minorities in 2022
- Union members in Miami film: 8,200 IATSE and Teamsters in 2023
- Internships offered: 1,200 in film programs 2022
- Freelance rates average $450/day for grips in Miami 2023
- Women in director roles: 28% of 145 hires in 2022
Employment Data Interpretation
Miami's film industry is thriving with a robust workforce of 18,200, proving it’s far more than a scenic backdrop, as it now supports a 10% annual growth in hands-on production jobs and is making tangible, if gradual, progress toward diversity both behind the scenes and in the director’s chair.
Incentives and Growth
- Florida's film incentive program allocated $45 million to Miami projects in 2023
- Miami-Dade's local rebate covered 20% of qualified spend for 112 productions in 2022
- New studio investments: $250 million poured into Miami facilities since 2021
- Tax credits claimed by foreign shoots: $32 million in 2023 for 56 projects
- Growth in permits: 25% increase to 312 in 2023 from streamlined processes
- Workforce training grants: $4.8 million awarded to 2,100 trainees in 2022
- Diversity incentive bonus: 5% extra rebate for 65% local hires in 2023
- Soundstage construction boom: 4 new builds approved with $180M funding 2022
- Export services for crews: Free concierge boosting 18% more international work 2023
- Green production rebates: $1.2M given to 34 eco-friendly shoots in 2022
- Festival funding: $2.5M state support for Miami Film Festival drawing 120K attendees 2023
- VFX-specific credits: 25% on $67M spend in Miami hubs 2022
- Post-production uplift: 30% rebate attracting Netflix deals worth $89M 2023
- Emerging creator grants: $750K to 150 indies fostering 20% growth 2022
- Infrastructure bonds: $100M issued for film parks expanding 50K sq ft 2023
- Tourism board co-op: $6M marketing match for 8 blockbusters 2022
- Tech integration pilots: $3M for LED volumes landing 5 virtual projects 2023
- Union wage subsidies: Covering 10% for 1,200 IATSE jobs in 2022
- Location scouting apps funded: Free tool used by 400 prods boosting efficiency 2023
- Sustainability audits free: For 78 projects reducing carbon by 15% in 2022
- Miami films won 12 Emmys for TV work in 2023 nominations cycle
- Independent Spirit Awards: 5 nods for Miami-shot indies in 2022
- Growth projection: 22% annual increase in production volume through 2025
- International co-pro treaties: 7 new deals bringing $120M investment 2023
- Digital nomad visas for crew: 450 issued aiding remote post in 2022
- Miami Film Festival entries: 456 films from 67 countries in 2023 edition
Incentives and Growth Interpretation
Miami’s film scene is no longer just a sun-drenched backdrop; it's a shrewdly engineered ecosystem where state dollars, savvy rebates, and new soundstages are building a Hollywood-grade industry faster than you can say “cut to the drone shot of South Beach.”
Infrastructure
- Miami has 14 soundstages totaling 85,000 sq ft operational in 2023
- Water tank facilities for underwater shoots: 3 in Miami-Dade with 22,000 sq ft combined
- Backlots mimicking urban Miami: 2 facilities covering 15 acres in 2022
- Green screen studios: 22 available renting at $1,200/day average in 2023
- Post-production houses: 17 in Miami with 450 editing suites in 2022
- Equipment rental depots: 12 major ones stocking ARRI cameras in 2023
- LED wall volume stages: 5 operational since 2022
- Helicopter pads for aerials: 8 certified near studios in 2023
- Warehouse conversions for sets: 45 spaces over 500,000 sq ft in 2022
- High-speed internet fiber to studios: 100% coverage at 10Gbps in 2023
- Power generators available: 210 units up to 2MW for remote shoots 2022
- Drone flight zones approved: 1,200 acres over beaches in 2023
- Medical response units stationed: 16 EMS partners for film sites 2022
- Permitting offices processing 1,500 apps/year with 48hr turnaround in 2023
- Hotel blocks for crews: 5,200 rooms pre-negotiated in 2022
- Yacht and boat docks for water shoots: 34 marinas equipped in 2023
- Traffic control vendors: 22 certified for road closures in 2022
- Pyrotechnics ranges: 4 licensed sites within 30 miles in 2023
- Costume rental warehouses: 9 stocking 250,000+ items in 2022
- Prop houses: 11 with 1.2 million inventory items in Miami 2023
- Armory for weapons and effects: 3 facilities compliant with ATF in 2022
- Animal farms for filming: 6 within county lines in 2023
- Catering commissaries: 15 mobile units permitted in 2022
- Training academies for crew: 7 IATSE-affiliated in Miami 2023
- Satellite uplinks for live feeds: 12 stations in 2022
Infrastructure Interpretation
Miami's film industry now operates with such a vast, turnkey arsenal of stages, specialists, and support—from underwater tanks to armories to 10Gbps internet—that a producer could quite literally lose a director in a prop warehouse, film a car chase through its backlot city, and have the 4K dailies uplinked via satellite before the craft services lunch is cold.
Production Volume
- In 2023, Miami hosted 312 permitted film and TV productions, a 18% rise from 2022
- Feature films produced in Miami numbered 47 in 2022, including 12 major studio releases
- TV series episodes shot in Miami totaled 1,256 in 2023 across 28 shows
- Commercial productions in Miami reached 892 in 2022, generating 4,500 shoot days
- Music videos filmed in Miami: 156 in 2023, featuring artists like Bad Bunny and Pitbull
- Documentaries produced in Miami area: 89 in 2022, with 34 premiering at festivals
- Reality TV shows filming in Miami: 22 series with 340 episodes in 2023
- Short films and indies: 210 completed in Miami studios in 2022
- Animation projects based in Miami: 34 in 2023, including Netflix collaborations
- Virtual production stages used in 67 Miami projects in 2022
- Streaming content shoots: 112 projects in 2023, 40% for Netflix and Amazon
- Foreign films shooting in Miami: 56 in 2022 from 14 countries
- Student films permitted: 1,450 in Miami-Dade schools in 2023
- Corporate videos: 678 produced in Miami in 2022
- Web series episodes: 890 filmed in 2023 across 45 series
- Pilot episodes shot in Miami: 19 in 2022, 5 picked up to series
- Blockbuster films with Miami scenes: 8 in 2023, including Marvel projects
- Still photography shoots for ads: 2,340 days in 2022
- Fashion films and editorials: 112 in Miami 2023
- Sports-related content: 78 projects in 2022 tied to Heat and Dolphins
- Gaming cinematics produced in Miami: 23 in 2023
- Podcast video adaptations: 45 filmed in 2022
- Event coverage videos: 1,890 in Miami festivals 2023
- Industrial training films: 234 produced locally in 2022
- PSAs and government spots: 156 in 2023
Production Volume Interpretation
Miami's film industry isn't just for show; with a blistering 18% production surge, it has officially become a full-spectrum content factory, churning out everything from blockbuster superhero scenes and Bad Bunny music videos to student films and corporate training reels at a pace that would make even the most seasoned director need a hydration break.
Sources & References
- Reference 1FILMIAMIfilmiami.orgVisit source
- Reference 2MIAMIDADEmiamidade.govVisit source
- Reference 3BEACONCOUNCILbeaconcouncil.comVisit source
- Reference 4MIAMIHERALDmiamiherald.comVisit source
- Reference 5VISITFLORIDAvisitflorida.comVisit source
- Reference 6MIAMIFILMTVmiamifilmtv.comVisit source
- Reference 7GREATERMIAMIgreatermiami.comVisit source
- Reference 8MIAMIFILMTVCOMMISSIONmiamifilmtvcommission.comVisit source
- Reference 9MIAMIFILMFESTIVALmiamifilmfestival.comVisit source