Policy for Filming at Georgetown University

Georgetown University’s campuses, including their grounds, buildings, classrooms, and dormitories, are private property. Except as permitted by and in compliance with this Policy, you may not shoot film, photos, or video, or make audio recordings (all of which, for convenience, are referred to in this Policy as “filming”) on campus.

The University’s Office of Strategic Communications (OCOMM), in consultation with other University stakeholders, is responsible for granting or denying requests to film on campus. The University reserves the right to deny approval of any filming for any reason. When filming is approved, OCOMM will coordinate the University’s support for the project, including required supervision. Approval by the University may be revoked at any time if the University concludes that the filming interferes with University operations, is disruptive to faculty, students, staff, or visitors, or otherwise is not in the best interests of the University. All persons who are permitted to film on campus pursuant to this Policy are required to follow current Georgetown Public Health and Guest policies.

Personal, Non-Commercial Use

Students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and other campus visitors are free to film on campus for their own personal, non-commercial use, provided that the filming poses no risk to public safety and does not disrupt University faculty, students, staff, or visitors. This photography and/or filming is limited to hand-held and tripod photography. Formal approval or supervision by OCOMM is not required.

Press and News Media

Members of the press and news media who wish to access campus to film interviews or b-roll should email OCOMM at media@georgetown.edu for permission. Please provide your name and outlet, and specify the nature of your request.

University Business

Administrative staff members of the University’s schools, departments, and business units who are engaged in official business on behalf of the University may film on campus for purposes of creating materials for use by the particular school, department, or business unit, such as marketing and promotional materials. Relevant model/image releases must be signed by all identifiable subjects.

Academic and Scholarly Work

University students and faculty may film on campus solely for academic purposes, including teaching, coursework, research, and scholarly work, in each case subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by the University to ensure public safety, to protect persons and property, to avoid interference with University activities and operations, and to comply with statutory, contractual, and other legal obligations. Additionally, students and faculty must notify their school’s communications office about any such filming and comply with any reasonable restrictions imposed by that office. Students and faculty may not film on campus for any commercial purpose.

All Other Filming

All other individuals, organizations, non-profits, corporations, and other entities that wish to request permission to film on campus must complete and submit the University’s Request for Permission to Film form (see below). As a prominent research University whose campus and buildings are devoted to instruction, research, and public service, the University ordinarily does not permit filming on campus for commercial or other for-profit purposes. Similarly, the University does not permit filming on campus of any commercials, advertisements, or other forms of endorsement. All filming on campus must comply with the reasonable directions and guidance of OCOMM, and must conform to the following requirements:

Filming Requests