Lights, Festivals, Action: An Orlando Video Production Round-Up
Orlando video production companies have a gold-timed stretch ahead: marquee genre festivals, Universal’s latest attraction overlay, and a fresh incentives push land in the same fortnight, all while permitting remains friction-light.
Festival Spotlights
The Spooky Empire mega-con returns Oct 31–Nov 2, bringing a juried film festival, industry panels, and late-night screenings to the Hyatt Regency Orlando. Organizers promise a record “Film Fest Friday” slate with Florida-shot shorts competing for distribution packages. Earlier, the 48 Hour Film Project Orlando rolls its “Best Of” showcase on Oct 18, featuring the top 15 rapid-turn movies produced city-wide in a single weekend. Downtown’s Luminary Green Park also hosts KaleidoScope 360° Movie Night on Oct 19, pairing an outdoor screening with a local-maker market that invites pop-up production booths.
Key Events This Fortnight
- Oct 18: 48 Hour Film Project “Best Of” at Premiere 14
- Oct 19: KaleidoScope 360° outdoor movie & market
- Oct 31–Nov 2: Spooky Empire horror expo & film festival
- Oct 31: Universal’s “Wicked: The Experience” overlay debuts
Permit & Incentive Snapshot
Orlando’s one-stop permit portal keeps standard applications fee-free; costs arise only when off-duty officers, fire rigs, or metered parking are requested. The city lists no film-related lane or road blocks through Oct 31, offering rare schedule flexibility during peak tourism season. County officials convene Oct 24 to refine a draft incentive that would rebate 10-15 % of qualified local spend to productions exceeding $500 K. Industry advocates argue the plan will dovetail with state-level proposals championed by Film Florida.
Production Resources & Calls
- Casting deadlines: Feature “Boardwalk Project” and rom-com “The Perfect Partner” accept self-tapes until Oct 22
- Virtual stage: Full Sail’s Studio V1 remains open for LED-wall bookings, giving teams Mandalorian-style volumes without leaving town
- Networking: Film Florida’s fall studio tour hits West Palm on Oct 22 for statewide crewing links
Industry Movements
Universal’s executives doubled down on expansion plans at a recent media-industry summit, noting that Epic Universe construction is “on budget” and driving vendor demand across Central Florida. The move keeps fabrication, set-dec, and post-VFX dollars local—key context as Orange County eyes its rebate. Meanwhile, indie producers continue to exploit Florida’s warm light: Halls on 5th hosted Orange TV for a feature shoot this week, underscoring downtown’s restaurant-friendly permit path. For crews chasing TV-commercial gigs, social feeds show spots lensing in Lake Nona and I-Drive corridors almost daily.
Looking Ahead
If the county approves its incentive, paperwork could open by December, overlapping with holiday parades that usually tighten road-closure windows. Productions eyeing late-November exteriors should lock dates now and budget extra prep for Thanksgiving week crowds. With festivals drawing cinephiles and incentives luring financiers, Orlando’s pipeline is poised to expand—good news for any Orlando camera crew scouting its next contract.
