The Edgartown select board Monday approved a new policy for commercial film, video and photography companies as requests for shoots on the Island continue to grow. 

The Vineyard has long been a sought after location for film and TV, and town administrator James Hagerty said the policy was written in an effort to streamline the application process.

Famously, Steven Speilberg’s Jaws was filmed across the Island in 1974, and Edgartown has already received multiple inquiries ahead of the blockbuster’s 50th anniversary in 2025.

The past few years alone have had several shoots. Bravo’s reality show Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard has had two seasons filmed on the Island, clothing company Land’s End shot a commercial in several towns and Netflix’s adaptation of the Judy Blume novel Forever filmed here for about a week this spring.

The Chilmark select board denied some of the Forever filming locations due to traffic concerns and congestion was addressed in the new Edgartown policy.  

Filming during the summer months on sidewalks and streets in the downtown historic district and harbor is prohibited. 

Media must submit an application to the select board 60 days before their intended film date. For the summer months, May 15 through Sept. 15, applications are due two months before.

All commercial filming and photography requires a permit, with the exemption of newsroom staff, private social events, weddings, family portraits, non-profit organizations and artists working with one assistant.