Hollywood movie, TV company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

When a company films a movie, even a small one, it needs permission to shoot in public and has to rent any private locations it uses.

Many television shows and films are filmed largely on sound stages — big rooms equipped with lights, cameras, and more that can be turned into sets. Studios own or rent those spaces and use them as much as possible in order to minimize cost.

NBC’s “Law & Order” shows, for example, shoot most of their scenes at a soundstage located in Manhattan’s Chelsea Piers. Those shows, however, will also shoot on the streets of New York and various city locations.

To shoot on the street, a permit is needed, and sometimes deals have to be made with retailers on that street. 

When the latest “Indiana Jones” movie was made, for example, I worked in New Haven, Conn., where some scenes were captured. Many of the retailers in the shooting area were paid for the loss of business, and sometimes for the use of their space.

In many cases, however, film and television companies rent a location, and when they do, it’s often from Image Locations Inc., a massive brand offering over 3,000 shooting locations.

That company, Image Locations, Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Image Locations, Inc. Chapter 11 bankruptcy:

• Company: Image Locations, Inc.
• Industry: Film and photography location services (U.S. locations including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Malibu, Santa Monica, Palm Springs)
• Bankruptcy Type: Chapter 11 (reorganization)
• Filing Date: October 2, 2025
• Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California
• Case Number: 25-18780
• Filing Nature: Voluntary, company initiated the bankruptcy to restructure debts
• Estimated Assets: $100,001-$1,000,000
• Estimated Liabilities: $1 million-$10 million
• Creditor Status: Exact number undisclosed; creditors will be notified and may file claims
• Current Operations: Likely to continue operating while reorganizing under Chapter 11
• Access to Case Records: Available via PACER

Image Locations provides film and TV locations

Image Locations is one of those massive brands with a product you see all the time, but a brand name few people outside the industry know. 

The company describes its business on its website.

For over 20 years, Image Locations, Inc. has been a leading provider of exclusive filming locations, setting the standard for excellence in the industry. Originally founded in Los Angeles, the company has since expanded its reach, and now boasts an unrivaled library of over 3,000 locations spanning from Santa Barbara to Palm Springs.

The company provides services including location photographers, agents, permitting services, web programmers, and designers, in addition to offering locations to shoot. Image Locations has worked with pretty much every major film and television company. 

Image Locations, Inc. specializes in a wide range of productions, including commercials, television, feature films, and still photography. Their impressive list of recurring clients includes some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, such as HBO, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, CBS, Showtime, NBC, Warner Brothers, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and many more. With such a diverse range of clients, Image Locations, Inc. has earned a reputation as a trusted partner for any production need.

How big is the film location market?

“The global Film Location Rental market size reached USD 5.8 billion in 2024, demonstrating robust demand driven by the surging volume of film, television, and digital content production worldwide. The market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2025 to 2033, with the total market value forecasted to reach USD 10.2 billion by 2033,” according to data from Data Intelo.

The broader “Film and Television Production Services Market” encompasses the various services and solutions that support the production of films, TV shows, commercials, and other multimedia content. These services include pre-production planning, filming, editing, visual effects, sound design, and post-production processes. 

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“As of recent reports, the global market for film and television production services is experiencing steady growth, with the market size projected to reach USD 450 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 5.2%. This growth is driven by increasing demand for high-quality content across both traditional media and streaming platforms,” shared Verified Market Reports.

Image Locations, Inc. bankruptcy timeline

• 2000s-2020s: Image Locations, Inc. operates as a leading provider of film and photography locations across major U.S. cities, building a portfolio of over 3,000 properties.
• 2020: Covid pandemic impacts the film and photography industry; restrictions on gatherings and productions reduce location bookings. Company posts updates on operations and safety protocols.
• 2021-2024: Gradual recovery of film/photography projects; however, rising operating costs, possible property acquisition expenses, and market competition may strain finances.
• Early 2025: Indicators of financial stress appear (not publicly disclosed), including possible delayed payments to vendors or creditors and reduced cash flow from bookings.
• October 2, 2025: Image Locations, Inc. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California (Case #25-18780).

Key Image Locations, Inc. debt holders include:

• Advance Service Group
• American Express 
• Forward Financing 
• QFS Capital
• Samson Servicing 

The company also owes the United States Small Business Administration nearly $1.8 million. 

This is a breaking news story and more information will be added as it develops. 

Related: Key sports group files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

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