After hours of testimony and debate, the Livingston film permit was reinstated Monday night, clearing the way for production of the Daily Wire–affiliated movie “Pawn Shop” to continue inside city limits.
The unanimous vote by the Livingston City Commission came two days after a temporary pause on the shoot, which has stirred weeks of controversy in the southwest Montana town since filming began in late September. The decision allows work to resume on a set designed as a fictional Minneapolis pawn shop and Korean grocery, with filming scheduled to wrap Saturday. Producers agreed to follow permit conditions, including maintaining access to a local food pantry, curbing private security activity, and continuing clear signage and notifications to nearby residents and businesses.
The marathon meeting drew more than 120 people in person, with about 150 watching online, reflecting tensions that have played out in local news reports and on social media. Critics first targeted the film’s themes. A leaked script for “Pawn Shop” depicts an ICE agent clashing with Antifa protesters and MS-13, with parallels to real incidents that opponents described as pushing a conservative, tough-on-immigration narrative. A call sheet indicated the project stars Danny Trejo and Harvey Keitel. One protester dismissed the script in blunt terms during a late September interview.
As filming got underway, detractors also objected to the process. They said the production failed to adequately notify neighbors and did not warn about scenes involving blanks and explosions, which startled residents and raised safety concerns. Heavily armed private security, hired to enforce closures, alarmed community members who reported feeling intimidated and harassed. The Livingston Food Resource Center said access to its pantry was impeded, contributing to an 18-week low in attendance.
Responding to complaints, the commission convened an emergency meeting Saturday and voted to pause the permit. A commissioner at the time called the situation a runaway train and said the production had taken advantage of the city.
Producers attended Monday’s session to defend their approach. Lead producer Dallas Sonnier said there were real security issues as backlash escalated, describing a truck that breached barricades on day one while the driver shouted obscenities at cast and crew. Another producer, Amanda Presmyk, said protesters yelled “cut” and “action” during stunts, creating hazards. Sonnier said that is when they brought in professional security to protect the set and enforce permitted closures.
Supporters argued the pause stemmed from politics rather than law, saying government cannot restrict lawful expression based on audience objections. City attorney Jon Hesse clarified the commission’s task was narrow, focused on whether permit conditions had been violated and what adjustments were needed to continue.
Neighbors countered that the problem was conduct, not content. A resident living near the set described armed guards in paramilitary gear who harassed vulnerable people while enforcing closures. A nearby coffee shop owner said he was never notified about the shoot, that staff were hassled by security, and that he shut down due to safety concerns.
Officials noted the city’s film permitting system is minimal, with a simple form and few requirements. Over the roughly two-week shoot, the city expects a little over $5,000 in permit revenue. The city retains the right to revoke permits due to public safety concerns.
Commenters on both sides said they felt unsafe. Crew and security members told commissioners their personal information had been doxxed and that they received threats tied to the production. Backers of the industry emphasized its economic impact. A regional studio co-founder said film work has brought tens of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs to the area over the past decade, warning that ejecting a fixable production could damage the local sector. Others argued that short-term gains do not outweigh safety risks and that the debate distracts from the basics of city governance.
As the meeting wound down, commissioners discussed overhauling the city’s sparse film rules. The commission chair said residents’ requests underscored gaps in ordinances and policies that the city has yet to write.
What the Livingston film permit requires now
Under the reinstated Livingston film permit, producers pledged to keep the food pantry accessible, scale back private security practices, and continue thorough notifications and signage for affected neighbors. After the vote, Sonnier signaled the crew would be back on set at 6 a.m. Tuesday to resume filming.
Backers of the industry emphasized its economic impact, similar to how campaign spots and commercial shoots can generate short bursts of local revenue in other communities.
The production’s affiliation with the conservative media company aligned with The Daily Wire has also drawn national attention beyond Livingston.
