Location Managers Guild International (LMGI)

Overview

The Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) is the professional association representing location managers, assistant location managers, location scouts, and location assistants working in film, television, commercials, and new media worldwide. Founded in 2003, the LMGI is the only global professional organization for the locations community. If you work in the location department or need to hire qualified location professionals for a production, the LMGI is the organization that sets professional standards and maintains the member directory that producers, UPMs, and production designers use to find crew.

The LMGI advocates for the recognition of location management as a distinct creative and logistical contribution to production, maintains the only global awards program specifically honoring location work, and provides professional development resources for its members. The guild secured recognition in the Television Academy, meaning LMGI members are now included in the Television Academy membership structure. Review the LMGI membership page for current application details.

Membership Levels, Costs, and Qualifications

The LMGI offers five membership levels. All applicants, regardless of level, must meet the same professional qualifications for their tier and pay a one-time non-refundable $35 application fee. The LMGI Board of Directors votes on prospective members once per month.

Late fees of $25 apply to all levels. Membership renewal is due annually on the anniversary of joining. Members are automatically enrolled in auto-renewal unless they opt out.

Regional Membership Pricing (New in 2026)

At the close of 2025, the LMGI membership ratified a bylaws amendment introducing regionally adjusted membership pricing based on World Bank income classifications. All applicants, regardless of region, must meet the same professional qualifications and receive the same benefits.

The pricing tier is automatically applied during the application process based on the applicant's address. Current members see the updated structure reflected in their dues.

13th Annual LMGI Awards (2026)

The LMGI presents the only global awards program recognizing location work in film, television, and commercials. The 13th Annual LMGI Awards timeline:

There is no submission fee. Entries first released between June 2, 2025 and June 1, 2026 are eligible. Submissions are open to the worldwide location and production community, not just LMGI members. However, only LMGI members in good standing can vote. You do not need to be an LMGI member to receive an award. The 13th Annual Awards will honor Mike Fantasia with the LMGI Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Environmental Media Association will receive the Humanitarian Award. Read the full LMGI Awards information page.

What Location Professionals Do

Location managers are responsible for finding, securing, and managing all shooting locations for a production, from the initial scouting phase through post-shoot restoration. The work involves:

• Creative judgment: Identifying locations that serve the director's visual concept and the production designer's requirements
• Logistical planning: Managing permits, neighbor notifications, traffic control, parking, and safety considerations
• Negotiation: Securing location agreements with property owners, government authorities, and film commissions
• On-set coordination: Managing the physical environment during shooting, including unit base, crew parking, and resident/business relations
• Budgeting: Managing the location budget within the overall production budget

The "LMGI" designation in screen credits signals professional affiliation and peer recognition. The guild advocates for consistent and prominent crediting of location department members.

Membership Benefits

LMGI membership includes:

• Compass Magazine: Quarterly industry insights and features
• LMGI Awards: Participation in the only global awards for location professionals
• Online Profile: Listed in the member directory used by studios, producers, UPMs, and production designers to find crew
• Education and FAM Tours: Panels, seminars, and networking events
• Screenings and Member Events: Invitations to industry screenings
• Discounts: Savings on IMDbPro, rental car agencies, and other industry services
• Multiple Work Areas: New in 2025, members can list multiple work areas so productions can find them wherever they can work
• Volunteer and Leadership Opportunities: Committee participation and board eligibility (Pro members)

What Filmmakers Should Know

For directors and producers: The location manager is one of the earliest and most influential pre-production hires. A senior location manager brings experience with difficult permits, relationships with property owners and government offices, and knowledge of which locations photograph well versus look good in person. The LMGI member directory is the primary vetted resource for finding qualified location professionals worldwide. Pro members have 300+ verified paid work days, meaning they have substantial production experience.

For location professionals: LMGI membership provides professional community, advocacy, and awards recognition. If you are early in your career, apply as an Apprentice member ($75/year) and use LMGI volunteer opportunities and events to accumulate the 150 paid days needed for Associate membership. If you have 150+ days but do not know current LMGI members who can serve as references, apply as an Associate rather than a Pro member. If you are in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 country, your dues will be automatically reduced based on your address.

For budgeting: Location department costs include location fees, permit costs, parking, unit base setup, and the location manager's day rate. The LMGI does not publish rate cards, as location manager rates vary widely by production budget, location, and experience level. Use the Indie Film Budget Calculator to estimate total location department costs within your overall production budget.

See Also

For how location costs appear in production budgets, see Above the Line vs Below the Line. For the broader union framework covering location department workers in North America, see IATSE in this directory. For estimating total production costs including location fees, use the Indie Film Budget Calculator.