The application process is open for the Orange County, Florida, Tourist Development Council Film Incentives Program. The application period opened January 1, 2026 and will close on January 31, 2026. First grants approved is scheduled to take place the second Quarter of 2026.

The total funding is $25 Million over five years. ($5 million annually for 2026-2030). To qualify for rebate, productions must spend at least $400,000 for film/tv or $250,000 for commercials and that must be spent in Orange County. Projects must generate documented local hotel room nights to justify use of the funds. Content of projects must feature or brand Orange County and municipalities like Apopka, Winter Garden, Winter Park to be eligible. "Best Efforts" must be made to hire local cast and crews and are required to hire five qualified students or graduates from local film programs, example being, UCF or Full Sail.

The Central Florida area has multiple institutions that have film education programs:

These programs graduate 3,000 graduates a year with more than half leaving the area to find work in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

The Central Florida region in Fiscal Year October 2024-September 2025 had 425 permitted production days. Orange County and City of Orlando permitted 120 (85 City Of Orlando); Osceola County permitted 29 productions and Seminole County permitted 16. These production days had an approximate economic impact in the region of $17 million.

Statewide competitors with film incentive programs and offices include:

Note that Palm Beach, Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties utilize Tax Development Taxes, and their key metric is hotel nights stay.

Read more about the program, its benefits, and recommendations for applicants here: https://orangecountyfl.net

You can contact the Film Commission with your questions:

Orange County Department of Film Incentive

Orange County Administration

201 S. Rosalind Avenue, 5th Floor

Orlando, FL 32801

Email: OCFilm@ocfl.net

Phone: 407-836-7370