Minnesota is the Star of the North

We serve as your liaison to Minnesota’s production ecosystem—connecting producers with crew, unions, local officials, and vendors to ensure a smooth, cost-efficient shoot from start to finish.

Yes. We provide direct introductions to SAG-AFTRA, IATSE Local 490, Teamsters Local 638, and other labor organizations. 

As early as possible. Whether you’re budgeting, scouting, or finalizing logistics, our team can help you find the best crew, locations, and cost-saving strategies for your project.

No. Our services — introductions, early location scouting, production support — are free to any project considering or filming in Minnesota. We will refer you to our directory to hire a local line producer, location scout, or other support service after your funding is finalized and you are ready to start pre-production.

Film Ready Communities are trained through the Association of Film Commissioners International’s film liaison training course and understand the unique needs of film and TV production. They offer simple permitting, clear communication, and strong local support — helping your crew hit the ground running. Explore Minnesota Film works with each community to facilitate this introduction and provide additional support as needed.

Yes. Minnesota has a deep pool of union and non-union experienced professionals who have worked on features, series, and commercials of all sizes. We often receive positive feedback from production companies about our crew’s professionalism, flexibility, and talent.

Minnesota is home to one of the largest theater markets in the U.S., second only to New York. That means we have an exceptionally talented actor community—stage-trained, camera-ready, and capable of starring in your project or filling out your background scenes.

In addition to our Film Production Tax Credit and regional cash rebates, productions benefit from lower overall costs compared to major markets. We offer competitive crew rates, affordable locations, and film-friendly cities with affordable (or free) film permits.

Yes. Minnesota offers practical, built-in savings: short travel times, low traffic, easy access between urban and rural locations often within 30-miles or less, and affordable production office space. The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport offers convenient, major-carrier access just minutes from downtown.

Many Minnesota communities are highly film-friendly and may waive or reduce fees for public spaces, parking, street closures, location fees or production office space. Our office will connect you directly to the right local contact to explore these options.