FilmLocal

FilmLocal is a free online resource that aggregates film industry jobs, casting calls, and production resources organized by geographic location, serving as a centralized hub for local film communities across the United States. The platform was created to address a fundamental challenge faced by actors and crew in secondary and tertiary markets — while major production hubs like Los Angeles and New York have robust casting infrastructure and multiple platforms dedicated to their markets, actors in cities like Denver, Minneapolis, Portland, Nashville, and dozens of others often struggle to find local opportunities through national platforms that prioritize major market listings. FilmLocal fills this gap by organizing production resources, casting calls, crew positions, and industry contacts by specific location, making it easier for actors and filmmakers to discover what is happening in their immediate area. The platform supports the ecosystem of regional filmmaking that exists in every state, from locally produced features and commercials to corporate video work and regional television production.

What makes FilmLocal uniquely valuable is its local-first approach to organizing entertainment industry resources. Rather than presenting a national feed of casting calls dominated by Los Angeles and New York postings, FilmLocal starts with your location and shows you what is available in your specific market. This approach acknowledges that the American entertainment industry is not confined to two cities — film commissions operate in every state, regional commercial markets are active year-round, corporate video production happens in every metropolitan area, and independent filmmakers create content in communities across the country. For actors who are not yet ready to relocate to a major market or who have chosen to build their careers regionally, FilmLocal provides practical information about what their local industry looks like and how to participate in it. The platform also aggregates information about local film commissions, production companies, rental houses, and other resources that help actors understand the complete ecosystem of their regional market.

Using FilmLocal is straightforward and requires no account creation or registration for basic browsing. You visit the site, select your location or search for your city and state, and browse the available listings for casting calls, crew positions, and industry resources in your area. The platform aggregates information from various sources including local film commissions, production company websites, community boards, and direct submissions from filmmakers. Listings typically include project descriptions, role or position details, contact information, and instructions for how to apply or submit. The platform's geographic organization means you can quickly assess the depth and activity level of your local market without wading through irrelevant national listings. If you want to participate more actively, you can create a profile and submit your own listings or resources. The site also provides links to state and local film commissions, which are valuable resources for understanding tax incentives, permits, and the overall production landscape in your region.

The day-to-day experience of using FilmLocal depends heavily on the activity level of your local market. In cities with active production communities (such as Austin, Atlanta, Portland, Minneapolis, or Nashville), you may find regular postings for casting calls, crew positions, and local industry events. In smaller markets, listings may be less frequent but can surface opportunities you would never discover through national platforms. The platform works best as a periodic check-in rather than a daily casting tool — visiting once or twice a week is typically sufficient to stay current with local postings. Beyond casting calls, FilmLocal provides value by mapping the infrastructure of your local film community — production companies, rental houses, post-production facilities, acting classes, and networking events — which gives you a comprehensive picture of the resources available in your area. For actors who are building a career regionally, this contextual information can be as valuable as the casting listings themselves.

FilmLocal is used by actors, crew members, filmmakers, and other entertainment industry professionals who are based in or interested in secondary and tertiary markets across the United States. The platform attracts emerging talent who are building their careers in regional markets, experienced professionals who have chosen to work outside of Los Angeles and New York, and filmmakers who produce content locally rather than in major production hubs. The user base reflects the diversity of regional filmmaking — from actors seeking local commercial and corporate video work to independent filmmakers casting their features to crew members looking for production work in their area. Local film commissions and industry organizations also use the platform as a resource, sometimes promoting events, workshops, and incentive programs through the site. The community orientation of the platform means that it functions as much as a local film industry directory as it does a casting resource.

FilmLocal is completely free to use. There are no subscription fees, premium tiers, account creation costs, or any charges whatsoever. The platform operates as a community resource designed to support regional filmmaking ecosystems rather than as a commercial casting service. The free access model means there are no financial barriers to discovering what your local film community has to offer. Because the platform is not monetized through user fees, its sustainability depends on community participation, advertising, and partnerships with local industry organizations. The free model also means limited investment in technology and features compared to commercial platforms, which is reflected in a simpler user experience. For actors in regional markets, FilmLocal's zero-cost access to local casting information makes it a practical addition to their resource toolkit alongside national platforms.

FilmLocal is most valuable for actors who are based in secondary or tertiary markets and want to understand and participate in their local film community. If you are in a city outside of Los Angeles and New York, bookmark FilmLocal and check it weekly for local casting calls, crew opportunities, and industry events. The platform is a useful complement to national platforms rather than a replacement — maintain your Actors Access and Backstage profiles for national reach while using FilmLocal for local discovery. Actors who are building their careers regionally before potentially relocating to a major market will find the platform particularly useful for gaining experience and credits. If you are already in Los Angeles or New York with access to the full suite of professional casting platforms, FilmLocal will add limited incremental value. Use the platform's industry resource listings to build a map of your local film ecosystem including production companies, film commissions, and networking opportunities.

Use FilmLocal in conjunction with your state or city's film commission website, as film commissions often have the most current information about productions filming in your area and any incentive programs that drive production activity. Connect with local production companies you discover through FilmLocal directly, as building relationships with regional producers can lead to repeat casting opportunities. Attend local film industry events and screenings listed on the platform to build your network within your regional market. If your market has limited casting listings on FilmLocal, consider proactively reaching out to local filmmakers, commercial production companies, and corporate video producers, as many regional opportunities are never formally listed on any platform. Use the regional experience and credits you build through local work as a foundation for eventually transitioning to larger markets if that is your goal. Create or join a local actors' networking group in your area to share casting leads, recommend each other for projects, and build the kind of community support that actors in major markets often take for granted.