Tampa Bay Area Chapter - About Us

About the FMPTA

 Since 1973, the Florida Motion Picture & Television Association (FMPTA) has grown from a handful of Florida filmmakers to an organization with members in ten chapters statewide. FMPTA is a not-for-profit organization comprised of volunteer members from Florida’s production industry. The primary objective of FMPTA is to encourage and facilitate increased film, video and sound recording production within Florida, as it is made up of persons involved in all areas of the production industry.

 FMPTA monitors state legislation pertaining to the production industry. To further its goals, FMPTA cooperates with the Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment and the Governor's Advisory Council, the various regional film commissioners and the many state and local government agencies. Past accomplishments of FMPTA include successfully lobbying for legislation to repeal the state services tax and to regulate and license talent agencies (to prevent “scam” agents from stealing money from people hoping to “break into show business”).  The FMPTA has also worked with the Florida Department of Commerce in drafting current child labor laws pertaining to the production industry, the reestablishment of the state film office and the new point-of-sales tax exemption law for filmmakers.

 Our membership consists of professionals, businesses, technicians, talent, students and anyone in the nearly 400 job categories within the production industry. FMPTA is the umbrella association to the industry with the common denominator being Florida.

 Being part of FMPTA provides members the opportunity to network with others in the production field.  Working and learning from industry professionals helps members sharpen their skills and do their jobs more effectively, while the networking increases their exposure to other job opportunities.

 Recognition for excellence is important in an artistic vocation. FMPTA’s Crystal Reel Awards program has long been recognized as the primary film and television competition for the state of Florida.

 Membership in FMPTA falls into five categories. Professional members are persons who are working in the production industry or possessing production experience. Corporate membership is open to any licensed company that operates in or directly services the production industry. Student memberships are for those enrolled full-time in accredited courses studying film, television, theater or communications, but are not yet working in the industry.  Associate memberships are for individuals or firms not eligible for any of the above categories.  Institutional memberships are for non-profit organizations and high schools.

 Currently the organization is made up of four active chapters:  Tampa, Orlando, Space Coast, Jacksonville.  Other chapters are being assembled in South Florida, Palm Beach, Daytona and Sarasota will likely return to the fold in the near future.

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