Guidelines for shooting student films in SF

Class assignments with school-provided insurance can get Film SF fees waived. See permit instructions.

Film SF works with film schools, universities, and colleges to help students get a permit to film class assignments in SF.

Definition

A production is considered a student film if it’s a class assignment with insurance coverage provided by the school.

If your school is not able to provide the required general liability insurance coverage for your project, email us at film@sfgov.org.

Fees

You do not have to pay Film SF daily use fees to shoot a student project. There may be other fees associated with other agencies, depending on the filming activity.

Insurance requirements

Your school must provide the minimum required insurance coverage for your student film. You do not need to provide worker’s compensation.

Make sure the school’s certificate of insurance includes your name and shoot dates. Include the certificate of insurance with your permit application.

Auto liability

You can claim an auto liability waiver on your permit application if you will:

  • Not be using a vehicle for filming
  • Only taking public transit to and from the shoot location

You will need to show proof of auto liability if you are doing any of the following.

Driving to and from the shoot location 

Email a copy of your driver’s license and insurance card to film@sfgov.org

Using a vehicle for filming

If you are filming a moving vehicle (inside or outside), email to film@sfgov.org:

  • A copy of your driver’s license
  • Proof of up to $1 million auto liability coverage

Renting a production vehicle

Email to film@sfgov.org:

  • Driver’s license copies of the people renting and driving the vehicle
  • Proof of buying the rental car company’s supplemental auto liability insurance (up to $1 million) in your rental contract

Have your instructor confirm you are a student

Have your instructor or department head email a Teacher Approval Form (Word) to film@sfgov.org.

Other permit application instructions

When filling out the permit application, make sure:

  • The contractor (page 1) and production company (page 8) lines should be listed as “(Name of school)/(Name of student)” like “San Francisco State University / John Doe”
  • Use the school’s address as the “Company Address” on page 8

Include with your permit application:

  • A copy of your student ID
  • Certificate of insurance
  • A copy of the script, or pages pertaining to the locations you’re requesting (not required for still photography)
Last updated October 28, 2022

Department