On January 6, 2025 President Biden signed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act into law. This act includes the Federal Interior Lands Media (FILM) Act, which is now the law of the land. After nearly two years of hard work and lobbying for this bill, PPA is thrilled to celebrate this big win for our members and all creators.

Before this law, there were strict rules about "commercial" versus "non-commercial" photography on federal lands. Photographers often faced confusing and difficult permit requirements. The FILM Act changes this. Instead of focusing on whether the work is commercial, the new rules focus on the impact the work has on the land. This makes it easier for photographers and videographers to get permits—and many won’t even need one! Most professional photographers have no more impact than a regular visitor, so the old rules were seen as unfair and unnecessary.

This comes as great news for small businesses. It means fewer obstacles when planning shoots in amazing locations like national parks, forests, wildlife areas, and Bureau of Land Management lands. Now, permits are based on the actual environmental impact, not the type of work being done. The new law also helps agencies spend more time protecting these lands rather than focusing on the possible value of the media created.

In short, the FILM Act makes it simpler for photographers and filmmakers to work on federal lands. It cuts through the red tape and makes these breathtaking places more accessible for creative projects.

We couldn’t have done this alone. A big thank-you goes to Senator Barrasso, Senator Manchin, and Representative Fulcher for their dedication to this effort. PPA deeply appreciates their support in making this happen.