Florida's sandy beaches, jungle-like swamps, rural landscapes, glamorous cities, and sparkling waterways have provided excellent settings for many films throughout the years. With over 40 colleges, universities, and schools offering film departments and courses, student films and film festivals abound. Additionally, Florida has long been an entertainment hub, complete with local talent, technicians, and other resources.
Two of America's most widely recognized movie studios have production facilities and theme parks in Orlando, Florida. MGM, in partnership with Walt Disney World, runs a theme park based on the company's film studios. Visitors can see real sound stages and sets from recognizable movies, watch special effects, ride thrill rides, and take a back lot tour. Universal Studios also operates its own theme park complete with interactive exhibits, special effects, tours, and rides. Visitors can learn the secrets of Hollywood makeup, experience a simulated earthquake, and more.
Filmed in Florida
Florida has served as a shooting location for many movies over the years. Silver Springs, a well known park in the Ocala area, has been a favorite spot for filmmakers. With its crystal clear flowing waters, it was the perfect location for films such as 1954's Creature from the Black Lagoon, James Bond - Never Say Never Again, The Yearling, and several others. Open to the public, Silver Springs offers glass bottom boat rides to view the stunning waters and natural springs, among other attractions.
Wakulla Springs, near Tallahassee, is another of Florida's treasures, with sparkling natural springs and lush vegetation. In the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Wakulla Springs also offers riverboat tours, glass bottom boat rides, and recreational activities. Swim in the same springs where Creature from the Black Lagoon and two Tarzan movies were made.
Florida's small towns have made it on the big screen, too. Located just south of Gainesville, Micanopy's graceful southern homes and quaint streets provided the setting for Doc Hollywood. Seaside, on the Gulf of Mexico between Panama City and Ft. Walton, proved to be the perfect location for Jim Carrey's The Truman Show.
Cross Creek, the story of acclaimed Florida author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, was also filmed in Florida's small towns, including Cross Creek, Hawthorne, and Micanopy. In nearby Gainesville, the University of Florida lent itself to both Parenthoodand Just Cause.
Of course, innumerable filmmakers have sought out the glitz and sprawling communities of South Florida. Movies shot in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas include Porky's, Happy Gilmore, In Her Shoes, Folks, There's Something About Mary, The First Wives Club, Reno 911!,Miami, Miami Vice, and 1969's Midnight Cowboy. Moviegoers who saw The Birdcage, starring Nathan Lane and Robin Williams, may recognize Miami's Art Deco district.
Sports fans may have noticed that several sports-themed movies have been filmed in the Sunshine State. Days of Thunder, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, centered on a race car driver, making the Daytona Speedway in Daytona Beach a perfect filming location. Miami Dolphins fans surely saw their team's cameo in Ace Ventura, and the famous Caddy Shack movies with Chevy Chase were filmed in Boca Raton at the Boca Raton Resort and Club.
Film Festivals
Florida plays host to over 50 film festivals around the state each year. While the northern regions of the state hold only a few festivals each year, the southern half of Florida boasts a festival for every genre, race, and proclivity.
A few of the festivals in the northern region include: The Daytona Beach Film Festival, the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival, the Jacksonville Film Festival, and the Pensacola International Film and Television Film Festival.
Southwest Florida has a much larger number of festivals, including the Fort Myers Beach Film Festival, the Marco Island Film Festival, the Gasparilla Film Festival in Tampa, the KidFlix International Children's Film Festival, the Sunscreen Film Festival, and the Ybor Festival of the Moving Image.
Still, southeast Florida is the real hub of film fest activities. Miami and its surrounding areas present over 20 festivals celebrating the independent filmmaker. A few of these include the Miami Short Film Festival, the Miami International Film Festival, the Made in Miami Video and Film Festival, the Palm Beach International Film Festival, the Cuban Hip Hop Film Festival, and more.
Independent Film
Those who want to see independent film will find art house offerings in various cities across the state. Near Orlando in Maitland, the Enzian Theatre not only shows independent and foreign films, it also produces several film festivals, Popcorn Flicks in the Park, a Cult Classics series, Meet the Filmmaker Series, and other events. In Gainesville, the Hippodrome State Theatre runs independent and foreign films. Sarasota's Sarasota Film Society runs the best of indie, international, and classic films at the Burns Court and Lakewood Ranch Cinemas. In Fort Lauderdale, moviegoers can visit the Cinema Paradiso, an art house theater located in downtown Fort Lauderdale. These are just a few examples; check local papers to find independent films near your travel locale.
With a plethora of amazing locations to choose from, Florida's film industry continues to thrive. In addition to the many films shot in the Sunshine State, it's a perennial favorite for television series as well. From back lots to film festivals, Florida is sure to entertain moviegoers.