
In April, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership in New York City notified BID members of an upcoming film shoot in the district. The BID has been the site of several movie and TV productions in recent years.
Filming a movie downtown can bring significant economic, cultural, and promotional benefits, often injecting substantial revenue into local businesses and boosting tourism long after the filming ends.
While New York offers many iconic settings, small-town downtowns are also frequent sites for film and TV productions. Some well-known examples include Brownsville, Oregon (Stand by Me), Berlin, Maryland (Runaway Bride), and Woodstock, Illinois (Groundhog Day), all of which feature walkable, historic main streets.
The two-day shoot in the Flatiron NoMad District was organized by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment. Such offices are typically found in major cities. But most states and territories have a centralized commission, which offers resources such as location scouting, permitting assistance, and information on local production incentives.
More on filming downtown appears in Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter.
Click below to learn more about Downtown Idea Exchange and other resources for revitalizing downtowns and commercial corridors.

