July 12, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

California Expands Film Tax Credit Program to $750 Million in Bid to Keep Hollywood Productions Local

Governor Newsom Announces Historic Tax Credit Increase to Boost California’s Film Industry

In a long-awaited move to boost California’s film industry, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined Governor Gavin Newsom and leaders from the entertainment and labor sectors to announce an unprecedented expansion of California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program. The proposed expansion would increase the program’s budget to $750 million annually, more than doubling the current allocation of $330 million. If approved, this initiative would position California as the top state for capped film incentive programs, surpassing competitors like New York.

“Hollywood is the cornerstone of this city and our economy, and our message to the industry today is clear – we have your back,” said Mayor Bass. “When I was Speaker of the California State Assembly, I worked to support leaders like now-Councilman Paul Krekorian to create the film tax credit. Despite economic challenges, we knew the industry needed support, and if we could start the program, we could grow it. Today, I’m proud to stand with Governor Newsom and industry leaders to continue supporting this legacy industry.”

Governor Newsom underscored California’s unique status as the entertainment capital of the world, emphasizing that the expansion will generate thousands of jobs and strengthen ties between the industry and local communities. “California is the entertainment capital of the world, rooted in decades of creativity, innovation, and unparalleled talent,” he said. “Expanding this program will help keep production here at home, generate thousands of good-paying jobs, and strengthen the vital link between our communities and the state’s iconic film and TV industry.”

This program has been oversubscribed year after year, with more productions applying than can be accommodated under the current cap. Between 2020 and 2024, data shows California lost production spending due to limited tax credit funding and increased competition in other states and countries, directly impacting state jobs and local economies​​.

In recent years, projects that were unable to secure California’s tax credits and moved to other locations as a result contributed to significant economic losses, with an estimated 71% of rejected projects subsequently filming out-of-state.

Mayor Bass’s administration has already taken several steps to support the local entertainment sector:

  • Formation of an Entertainment Industry Council: The council, comprising industry experts, focuses on reversing the trend of productions leaving Los Angeles and retaining local jobs.
  • Executive Directive 8: This initiative supports the workforce and streamlines studio projects, promoting policies that encourage productions to remain in Los Angeles.
  • Studio and Sound Stage Concierge Services: New services assist productions by cutting bureaucratic delays and coordinating with city departments. The program has facilitated seven new studio and sound stage projects, and an additional 8.1 million square feet of production space is currently in development within Los Angeles.

A study of the program found that, for every tax credit dollar approved, it generated at least $24.40 in output, $16.14 in GDP, $8.60 in wages, and $1.07 in initial state and local tax revenue from production in the state. 

Since its inception in 2009, California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program has generated over $26 billion in economic activity and supported more than 197,000 cast and crew jobs across the state. 

California previously updated the program to include new workforce diversity provisions, more funding for the Career Pathways Training Program, and the nation’s first Safety on Production Pilot Program.

Tax credits will become refundable for the first time since the program’s inception in 2009, beginning with Program 4.0 set to commence on July 1, 2025.

Related Posts

Unmasking ICE: Senators Push for Visible IDs After Secretive LA Immigration Raids

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bill Requires Federal Agents to Display Visible Identification During Raids U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on...

Bacio di Latte’s Beverly Hills Gelateria Debut Blends Italian Tradition with California Cool

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Gelateria Features In-House Gelato, Espresso Drinks, and Decadent Signature Flavors Bacio di Latte has officially opened its latest U.S. flagship...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

Brentwood Feels Impact as Feds Slash Office Leases Across Los Angeles

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

New Tracker Reveals Over 70,000 Square Feet Cut in 2025 Alone Los Angeles County’s office market is experiencing a fresh...

Rainbow Crosswalk at Pulse Memorial Could Be Removed Under New Federal Rules

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Trump Administration’s Program Urges States to Eliminate “Non-safety” Road Art, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a bizarre order for...

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

One Last Bite: La Novia Bids Farewell with Final Pop-Up at Cardinale du Vin

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Inventive Latin-Asian Pop-up Serves Seasonal Small Plates for One-Night-Only La Novia, the pop-up kitchen known for its inventive Latin-Asian flavors,...

Governor Newsom Unveils Fast-Track Rebuilding Plan on Six-Month Anniversary of Palisades Fire

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

State Clears Over 5.5 Billion Pounds of Debris From Fires Ahead of Schedule Marking six months since the devastating Eaton...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

July 4 ICE Raid on WeHo Car Wash Ends in Deportation of Local Resident

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Longtime West Hollywood Worker with Family’s Rent Money Taken in Raid A group of masked men and women, without official...

Bel Air and Holmby Hills Estates Lead May’s List of America’s Top 10 Home Sales

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

LA Claims Two of the Top Three Luxury Home Sales Last Month expensive residential transaction in the U.S. for May,...

Newhart Family Lists Beloved Comedy Legend’s Townhouse in Century City

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Late TV Star’s Custom Townhouse, Filled With Memories and Holiday Cheer  A luxurious Century Woods townhouse once home to comedy...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...