While other states chase Hollywood, California locks in record-breaking film slate

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What you need to know: 51 projects — including 46 independent features — will generate nearly $580 million in economic activity and employ over 6,490 cast and crew thanks to California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program.

HOLLYWOOD — Governor Newsom today announced the California Film Commission selected 51 film projects for the latest round of awards under the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program. This batch represents the most projects ever approved in one application window.

“While other states try to chase California’s on-screen success, everyone knows the Golden State is the entertainment capital of the world – built through decades of innovation and hard work. Today’s awards are vital to keeping production where it belongs – generating thousands of good-paying jobs ‘below the line,’ and supporting the local businesses that rely on a thriving film and television industry.”

Governor Gavin Newsom

Why this matters

Collectively, these productions are estimated to spend $346.9 million in wages, generate approximately $577.8 million in qualified expenditures statewide, and are expected to hire 6,490 cast and crew members, with 37,000 background performers hired (measured in days worked).

This latest allocation round includes an impressive slate of 46 independent and 5 non-independent films, reflecting an unprecedented regional diversity and offering significant economic benefits across the state with 31 projects planning to film in various areas beyond Los Angeles. These projects plan to film more than 360 days in Contra Costa, Oakland, Ojai, Merced, and San Diego Counties, among others.
“The devastating wildfires in Southern California have presented unprecedented challenges for our film and television community, disrupting more than a dozen productions within our Film & Television Tax Credit Program alone and impacting countless more,” said Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission. “These disruptions have impacted employment for thousands of cast and crew members, affecting everything from production schedules and financing to housing and location access. Now more than ever, this program is a critical tool to help productions recover, keeping jobs and investment here in our state, all while ensuring that California remains the heart of the entertainment industry.”
Highlights from this round of awards include:
  • Untitled Daniels/Wang Project (NBCUniversal), expected to receive $20.8 million in tax credits, generating estimated wages of $61.9 million and total qualified spending of $106.8 million.
  • Business Women (Twentieth Century Studios), securing $5.7 million in tax credits, estimated wages of $27.6 million, and total qualified spending of $49.4 million.
  • Behemoth! (Dialogue Industries Inc.), projected to bring $36.1 million in total qualified spending and generate $28.9 million in wages, securing $7.4 million in tax credits.
  • Cut Off (Warner Bros. Pictures), receiving $10 million in tax credits, with estimated wages of $28.3 million and total qualified spending of $49.4 million.
  • Untitled Drag Queen Movie (World of Wonder Productions), securing $1.7 million in tax credits, estimated wages of $4.4 million, and total qualified spending of $6.6 million.

“We are LA filmmakers, with very dear LA friends, who happen to be some of the greatest creative talents we’ve worked with,” said The Daniels and Wang in a joint statement. “On ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ we received the California tax credit, and had we not, it would have been utterly impossible to make that film. We were also deeply moved by the CFC’s commitment to supporting local filmmakers and the broader community. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to film our next project in Los Angeles, creating jobs and opportunities for countless Californians.”

“Category is: there’s no place like home!” said producer RuPaul Charles. “As someone who’s produced a TV series in Los Angeles for 17 years, I’m thrilled that our feature film, ‘Untitled Drag Queen Movie,’ is receiving tax credits from the California Film Commission. These incentives have been instrumental in supporting our financing. And best of all, we’re getting people back to work in Hollywood.”