Filming on Catalina
Thank you for considering Avalon and Catalina Island as locations for your film or photo shoot project.
Please note: No film permits will be issued for the period of June 30, 2024 to July 6, 2024 due to peak period of visitation
Our unique island location makes for a very special location and presents some unique challenges. To assist you in meeting these unique challenges, Film Catalina has produced a Film and Photo Shoot Handbook to help you identify and locate those businesses and entities with whom you will have to interface in order to have a successful shoot. Film Catalina is also available to assist you in processing your permits, answering your questions, and assisting you in finding the products and services you might require from local businesses.
Catalina Island Landownership Map
Download the Catalina Island Film & Photo Shoot Handbook (Updated 7-1-24)
(The City of Avalon Film Permit application includging the required City of Avalon Business License application are included within.)
California Production Incentive – Tax Credits
For further information or assistance, please contact Jim Luttjohann, Film Liaison/CEO, at 310-510-7643 or jim@lovecatalina.com.
City of Avalon Permit and Fees
Love Catalina facilitates the permits for the City. The City of Avalon requires a business license, a film permit location fee for use of its streets, beaches and piers, and requires permits for all vehicles brought into the City of Avalon. The City also requires $1,000,000 additionally-named liability insurance coverage, unless aircraft are used, in which case the requirement is $5,000,000 additionally-named insurance.
Updated July 1, 2024.
City of Avalon Film Permit | $150 Application Fee (non-refundable) $274/day – 10 or fewer employees at film location $367/day – Over 10 employees at film location |
City of Avalon Business License | $134.75 good for calendar year |
Still Photography Permits | $128 per day |
Vehicle fees (one time fees) | $36 per day OR $379 per month |
Drone Questionaire |
Catalina Island is 76 square miles in size. The City of Avalon is 2.7 square miles total. The remainder of the island is owned and operated by the Catalina Island Company and/or the Catalina Island Conservancy. Location fees for use of either organization’s property must be negotiated with that company.
Catalina Island Conservancy Permit and Fees
Catalina Island Conservancy Filming Permit Fees (as of July 1, 2024) |
|
Catalina Island Conservancy Film Permit |
$325 Application Fee (non-refundable) |
Security Deposit | $2,500 |
Ranger | $100 per hour, plus travel time from Avalon, 4 hr minimum (billed after conclusion of filming) |
Car and Driver | $225 per day, up to 8 hours |
Site Representative (billed after filming) | $85/hr plus travel time to Avalon |
Processing Fee |
4% |
Drone Questionaire |
Initial Contacts
City of Avalon filming information for commercial or news/documentary filming & still photo shoot:
Jim Luttjohann, CEO, Film Liaison
Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority
P.O. Box 217, Avalon, CA 90704
310-510-7643 fax 310-510-7607
Email: jim@lovecatalina.com
Catalina Island Conservancy Filming Information
Commercial Shoots, News/Documentary Shoots
Jim Luttjohann, CEO, Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority
P.O. Box 217, Avalon, CA 90704
310-510-7643 fax 310-510-7607
Email: jim@lovecatalina.com
Catalina Island Company Filming Information
Rudy Alvarez, Director of Sales
Catalina Island Company
P.O. Box 737, 150 Metropole Ave, Avalon, CA 90704
4 Park Plaza Suite 420, Irvine, CA 92614
310-510-7430
Email: ralvarez@scico.com
Affiliations:
Celebrate Film On Catalina Island
Avalon is home to the annual Catalina Film Festival, which takes place each September. The Catalina Film Festival is a celebration of film in Southern California with coastal screenings and events in Long Beach and on Hollywood’s Island. Each year the Catalina Film Institute is recognized for selecting 100+ award-winning films.
The Catalina Museum for Art & History celebrates film on Catalina with the Catalina Classic Film Club. The club meets quarterly to bring together enthusiasts looking for an opportunity to enjoy films of yesteryear in an intimate setting, in the 24-seat theater within the Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building.
The Avalon Silent Film Showcase, now in its 37th year, is recognized as one of the world’s longest running annual celebrations of Silent Film. The event takes place in May at the historic Avalon Casino Theatre, William Wrigley Jr.’s 1929 Art Deco Movie Palace.
Catalina Island’s Hollywood History
Catalina Island has served as the location for the filming of over 500 motion pictures, documentaries, television programs and commercials over the past 90…
History
Catalina Island has a long and interesting history dating back to the Spanish Empire. Catalina Island was once owed by William Wrigley, Jr. of Wrigley Chewing…
$10 Off Catalina Island Ferry
Onboard Catalina Flyer
Hop onboard the Catalina Flyer for daily ferry service from Newport Beach to Avalon, Catalina Island in just over 1 hour.
Submarine & Inside Land Tours
Catalina Adventure Tours
Book Direct & Save! Tours offered multiple times daily, Submarine tours depart from Green Pier & Inside Land Tours from the Mole.