Orange County film incentive plan looks to revive industry in Central Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. - A group from Orlando is on a mission to make "The City Beautiful" the next Hollywood by attracting more film crews to the area.
The state of Florida once had a film incentive program, but it was cut from the state budget in 2016. Now, a renewed effort is underway to bring the industry back.
A training ground for film talent
What they're saying:
Students at Valencia College’s film program share a common dream: breaking into the film industry.
"When I was a kid, I always wanted to be in the film industry," said Peter Fiji, a program graduate.
Current student Taina Lopez echoed his sentiment.

"I, like most of us, watched a lot of TV and movies and I always wondered how they did that," she said.
Valencia’s program stands out for its affordability and hands-on training, offering students some of the best opportunities in the state.
"I worked for studios; I worked for networks," said Eric Fleming, a professor with over 20 years of industry experience.
Fleming, who once collaborated with Hollywood heavyweights like Michael Keaton and Ron Howard, now dedicates his time to teaching in Florida.
Success stories of graduates
What they're saying:
Graduates like Peter Fiji credit the program for launching their careers.
"I’ve been working in New York City on big film sets," Fiji said. "West Side Story with Steven Spielberg, and that Jennifer Lawrence movie, No Hard Feelings."
Fiji, now a mentor, flies from New York to Valencia College to share his experiences with current students.

"I've always wanted to help the students," he said. "Give back my experience to the students and help them, like learn from what I have learned."
Fleming’s program has also brought industry professionals to campus, including producers from the Oscar-winning Summer of Soul. Students have even worked on pilots written by their professor.
By the numbers:
Since its inception 35 years ago, the program has produced 55 films, some featured on platforms like Netflix and Hulu, with budgets ranging from $200,000 to $4 million.
Creating local film production jobs
Local perspective:
The challenge for graduates like Lopez is finding consistent work locally. Many head to Georgia, New York, or Los Angeles, where production incentives are robust.
"Georgia has a strong incentive program," Fleming said, "and a lot of students will go to Georgia and work."
The Orange County Film Incentive Working Group aims to change that. By securing $22 million over five years, the group plans to incentivize production companies to film in Orange County, creating local jobs and opportunities for film school graduates.
"The impacts that a film production or TV series makes in a region is amazing," Fleming said.
Why you should care:
Film productions inject hundreds of thousands of dollars into local economies daily, spending on hotels, transportation, food, makeup artists, and skilled workers.
"It benefits the students and the community," Lopez said. "That’s everyone’s worry — finding a job after graduation."
What's next:
The next step is for commissioners to approve the use of tourist tax dollars to staff the newly proposed Office of Film Incentives. If approved, the program could launch as early as October, potentially bringing Orlando closer to its Hollywood aspirations.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Valencia College professor Eric Fleming, Valencia College graduate Peter Fiji, Valencia College student Taina Lopez, and the Orange County Film Incentive Working Group.