Thank you for choosing the City of Port Wentworth for your film location needs.

Checklist For Professional and Student Permits

  1. Professional productions should register your project by completing the Savannah Regional Film Commission Project Registration Form. The Film Commission will reply with further details.
  2. Submit a City of Port Wentworth Film Permit for each City of Port Wentworth-owned location at least 5 business days in advance in order to be considered for approval.
  3. Certificate of Insurance (see requirements below).
  4. Upload Notification Letter and distribute on  YELLOW paper at least 5 days in advance of filming activity per location. For an example of a notification letter, please click HERE.

Warning

Failure of the production company to comply with the City of Port Wentworth guidelines and conditions set forth in each permit, or the use of any location not specified in the permit, shall give the City of Port Wentworth grounds to revoke the permit or take other restrictive actions as necessary.

Permit Fee

The City of Port Wentworth charges a one-time non-refundable $25 Application Processing Fee.

Insurance

Insurance Certificates should be addressed as follows:

City of Port Wentworth
c/o Steve Davis
City Manager
7224 GA Highway 21
Port Wentworth, Georgia 31407

Or, a COI may be submitted electronically by an insurance agent/broker via email to sdavis@cityofportwentworth.com.

Production companies requesting to film on public property within the City of Port Wentworth must submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) as evidence of General Liability coverage in the amount not less than $2,000,000, naming the City of Port Wentworth as an additional insured. Evidence of a COI MUST be submitted before a permit can be effective. Please submit your certificate of insurance along with your application.

Notification of Affected Businesses and Residents

The production company is responsible for notifying all businesses and residents affected by the filming activity as per the City of Port Wentworth guidelines. Notification shall take place following the City of Port Wentworth’s review of the application and no less than five business days prior to the planned activity.

The City of Port Wentworth reserves the right to deny or revoke permits where insufficient time has been allowed for proper notification, or when the notification process has been improperly applied.

Upload Notification Letter and distribute on YELLOW paper at least 5 days in advance of filming activity per location. For an example of a notification letter, please click HERE

Police Officers

Officers can be scheduled at $45/hour.

Please contact Captain Nathan Jentzen for more details:

Captain Nathan Jentzen
Port Wentworth Police Department
912.964.4360

Fire Department

Please contact Fire Chief Lance Moore for more details:

Chief Lance Moore
Port Wentworth Fire Chief
lmoore@cityofportwentworth.com
912.966.7425

Parks & Recreation and Facility Rentals

Port Wentworth has city-owned buildings that can be rented. Please click on our Facility Rentals page for fees and descriptions.

To reserve city facilities please call Leisure Services at 912-966-7428.

Student Filming

For student filming, please fill out the City of Port Wentworth Film Permit Application and submit to Zahnay Smoak via email zsmoak@cityofportwentworth.com or at the City of Port Wentworth’s City Hall at 305 S Coastal Hwy, Port Wentworth, GA 31407.

Student filmmakers must abide by the City of Port Wentworth guidelines and meet all needed requirements before a permit can be approved. This includes completion of the Port Wentworth Film Application no less than 5 days in advance of the desired production and a Business/Resident Notification Letter addressed to businesses/residents potentially affected by the production in the event it is needed. See Notification of Affected Businesses and Residents, for more information. 

Insurance & Fees

Some schools provide insurance coverage for student filmmakers, while others do not. If your school does not, you may be required to procure coverage. A fee may also be charged for certain services such as police, Internal Traffic Control (ITC), parking, etc. Please contact the Permitting Office at 912.964.4379 for direct answers.

Private Property

The use of private property requires the permission of both the property owner and tenant (if applicable) through a signed location release letter. Film permits do not grant access to private property.

Student productions MUST have a hard copy version of their signed permit at all times while on location.  

If students wish to use a City of Port Wentworth park or facility, please contact Zahnay Smoak for availability and rates.

For More on Permitting, please contact:

Zahnay Smoak
Clerk of Council
zsmoak@cityofportwentworth.com
912.964.4379