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 general liability insurance coverage for your student film, include the certificate of insurance with your permit application.
You do not need to provide worker’s compensation.
Auto liability
You will need to show proof of auto liability and email a copy of your insurance card to film@sfgov.org
If you are filming a moving vehicle or driving to and from the shoot location you will need to provide:
- Proof of up to $1 million auto liability coverage
If you are renting a production vehicle:
- Proof of buying the rental car company’s supplemental auto liability insurance (up to $1 million) in your rental contract
Auto waiver
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, taxi, and/or rideshare service to and from the shoot location
Email any questions or forms to film@sfgov.org or directly to your film coordinator.
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:
- Certificate of insurance
- A copy of the script, or pages pertaining to the locations you’re requesting