The Lake Elsinore City Council unanimously approved and adopted the city’s new Film LE Attraction Plan during its June 9 meeting, establishing a strategic roadmap aimed at attracting film, television, commercial, and digital media productions while generating economic opportunities for local businesses, residents, and workforce development partners.
The plan creates a coordinated effort among the city’s departments to position Lake Elsinore as one of Southern California’s most film-friendly communities by streamlining production processes, enhancing industry outreach, and promoting the city’s diverse filming locations.
Built around three guiding principles—be fast, be film-friendly, and be visible—the Film LE Attraction Plan outlines a series of practical and cost-effective initiatives designed to make Lake Elsinore more competitive in attracting productions while highlighting the community’s scenic lakefront, mountain landscapes, historic downtown, action sports venues, and other unique locations.
“Lake Elsinore offers filmmakers something few locations can match: a scenic waterfront, mountain terrain, downtown character, action sports culture, and a welcoming community all within one destination,” Mayor Robert Magee said. “This plan provides a clear strategy to grow our creative economy, support local businesses, and elevate Lake Elsinore’s profile throughout the entertainment industry.”
Among the plan’s key initiatives is a new “fast track filming” commitment that prioritizes rapid response times to production inquiries and streamlined permitting processes. The city will also establish a dedicated Film LE Dream Team to serve as a concierge-style resource for filmmakers, producers, and location scouts.
Additional components of the plan include the development of a Film LE website and location catalog featuring professional photography and filming resources, expanded partnerships with the Inland Empire Film Commission and California Film Commission, outreach to universities and film schools, creation of film-friendly vendor and hotel databases, and the hosting of film tours and industry events.
The strategy identifies several marketing themes designed to showcase the city’s versatility as a filming destination, including “Small-Town America,” “Action Sports Hub,” “Waterfront/Lakeside,” “Mountain and Open Terrain,” “Downtown Storylines,” and “Baseball America.”
To measure success, the city will track performance indicators such as film inquiries, permit turnaround times, and total production days hosted annually. Annual economic impact reports will also be prepared to quantify benefits to local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and service providers.
Implementation of the plan will begin immediately through a 180-day action plan that includes establishing a dedicated film contact, creating a one-page filming guide, updating the city’s location catalog, enhancing online resources, and strengthening relationships with industry organizations.
City officials believe the initiative will help diversify the local economy while increasing Lake Elsinore’s visibility throughout the entertainment industry.
