The California Film Commission has approved tax credits for 22 television series in its latest round of funding, reflecting the state’s ongoing efforts to retain and attract entertainment industry productions. The latest allocation comes as the state continues to compete with other regions offering financial incentives to film and television projects, with applications significantly exceeding available funding.
California’s Expanded Film and TV Tax Credit Program
California has significantly bolstered its film and TV tax credit program, increasing the annual cap from $330 million to $750 million. This expansion comes in response to a sharp decrease in production caused by pandemic slowdowns, industry strikes, and the exodus of filming to other locations. The California Film Commission received nearly 400% more applications in this round, ultimately selecting 22 shows for incentives.
The newly enhanced program aims to not just prevent productions from leaving California, but to actively grow and expand production within the state. According to Colleen Bell, the California Film Commission’s executive director, the 22 selected shows are expected to generate approximately $1.1 billion in economic activity and employ over 6,500 cast and crew members, along with more than 46,000 background actors.
Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that the program is about protecting California’s legacy as the entertainment capital of the world and reminding global audiences why the state remains the beating heart of film and television production.
Incentive Program Details and Eligible Productions
The revamped program has broadened the types of productions eligible for incentives, now including half-hour television shows, certain large-scale competition shows, and animated shorts, series, and films. For the current round, the California Film Commission could consider most new categories, with animated shows and large-scale competition shows expected to become eligible in early next year.
The tax credit has been increased to up to 35% of qualified expenditures for productions filmed in the greater Los Angeles area, and up to 40% for projects shot outside the region. Of the 22 awarded series, 15 were new projects, five were recurring shows, and two relocated from outside California, including Tom Segura’s Netflix series ‘Bad Thoughts’.
Notable productions receiving incentives include Apple TV+ comedy ‘The Studio’, legal thriller ‘Presumed Innocent’, CBS’ ‘NCIS: Origins’, a new HBO series by Larry David, a pilot called ‘Group Chat’ from Kenya Barris, and a new Hulu drama from Dan Fogelman.
Industry and Community Impact
The expanded tax credit program has garnered support from Hollywood studios, producers, unions, and industry workers. Rebecca Rhine, president of the Entertainment Union Coalition, highlighted the significance of these productions in creating real jobs that support working families, small businesses, and communities across California.
Industry professionals and union representatives had been actively lobbying legislators in Sacramento about the importance of the entertainment industry to California’s economy. The collaborative effort resulted in the program’s expansion, demonstrating a unified commitment to maintaining the state’s position as a premier production hub.
Colleen Bell noted that the programmatic changes have made California more competitive with other jurisdictions, encouraging production decision-makers to give the state a second look. The goal is not just to retain existing productions but to attract new projects and reinvigorate the state’s entertainment industry.
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Source: latimes.com