How film productions are boosting Broward's economy
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Scott Speedman stars In "R.J. Decker." Photo by John Merrick/Disney via Getty Images
Hollywood buzz around two set-in-South Florida TV series highlights how busy our area's film production industry has been lately.
Why it matters: In Broward County alone, the production of shows, movies, commercials and more injected more than $200 million into the local economy in 2025, according to the county's film commission, Film Lauderdale.
- That was up 15% from 2024.
What we're watching: New Peacock crime drama series "M.I.A.," which drops May 7, filmed in both Broward and Miami-Dade counties, according to Film Lauderdale.
- ABC's "R.J. Decker," a crime drama based on a Carl Hiaasen novel, premiered this month and is set in Fort Lauderdale and filmed most of its Florida scenes in Broward, per the film office.
- "God of Tides," an indie drama starring Grant Gustin about a competitive free diver, also did some filming in Broward.
Follow the money: Broward and Miami-Dade — two counties with a rich TV and film history — are investing government dollars to bring back productions once drawn to Florida's defunct incentive program.
- Since Film Lauderdale launched its incentives in 2022, it has paid out or committed more than $4 million in rebates, resulting in about $20 million in local production spending, the film office tells Axios.
- In 2021, before the program launched, there were about 9,500 crew members hired in Broward for local productions. In 2025, that number grew to more than 16,000, per Film Lauderdale.
Miami-Dade launched a $50 million incentive program in 2024 but did not respond to questions about how it's faring.
What they're saying: Sandy Lighterman, film commissioner for Film Lauderdale and president of Film Florida, tells Axios it's difficult to attract a production without incentives.
- Film Lauderdale's relatively small incentives make it difficult to land complete productions, but Lighterman says getting pieces of filming still benefits local businesses and residents.
- Lighterman, who previously worked as Miami-Dade's film and entertainment commissioner, says South Florida's stories also attract crews to film here.
- "The more that those stories get out, people get more interested in it."
What's next: Lighterman wants to connect industry professionals with local talent, so she's helping host the South Florida Film Forum on Friday and Saturday at MAD Arts.
- Film Lauderdale is partnering with White Elephant Group, Broward County and MAD Arts to host the educational and networking event.
- "Events like this are critical because they put our crew base and our creatives in the same room as the people hiring for the next big project," Lighterman said in a press release.