The State of California has announced tax credit allocations for 52 new film and television productions, a move projected to inject $1.4 billion into the state’s economy. These projects are expected to create approximately 8,900 positions for cast and crew members and engage 46,400 background actors across 1,664 filming days statewide. This round saw nearly double the number of applications compared to the previous cycle under the earlier version of the program, reflecting heightened interest following its expansion in 2025. n nThe growth underscores California’s enduring role as a global center for entertainment production. The expanded Film & Television Tax Credit Program, now funded at $750 million annually—up from $330 million—is fueling significant economic momentum, particularly within the Los Angeles filming zone and in regions beyond. n nA record 511 filming days are planned outside the Los Angeles area, marking the highest out-of-zone total in a single application round in the program’s history. Filming will take place across multiple counties including Alameda, Contra Costa, Imperial, Inyo, Marin, Montecito, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Santa Clara, supporting local employment, small enterprises, and community development. n nProduction spending extends beyond wages, benefiting regional economies through purchases from retailers, grocery suppliers, hardware stores, and hotels. Additional expenditures include local construction, catering services, florists, and payments to municipal police and fire departments, along with permitting fees. n nColleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission, emphasized the breadth of the program: “This round highlights the scale and ambition of our initiative. We’re attracting everything from major franchise films to bold independent works by innovative creators. There’s growing energy in the sector—52 new productions mean thousands of jobs and meaningful support for communities statewide. The industry isn’t just recovering; it’s evolving.” n nAmong the major studio-backed projects receiving credits are: *Untitled Jumanji* (Sony Pictures), the next chapter in the popular adventure series; *Heat 2* (Forward Pass, Inc.), a dual prequel and sequel to Michael Mann’s classic crime film; *Sunday* (Blumhouse Films), based on a celebrated novel; *Untitled Daniels Project* (NBC Universal), from the Oscar-winning team behind *Everything Everywhere All at Once*; and *The Fifth Wheel* (Netflix), directed by Eva Longoria. n nJake Kasdan, director of the new *Jumanji* installment, expressed enthusiasm: “I’ve waited for the day when California’s incentive program could bring big films like ours back home. Now that it’s happening, I’m proud to be among the first to benefit. These productions rely on hundreds of highly skilled professionals—and the best are right here in California.” n nTom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, added: “Thanks to the expanded tax credit, we can produce a large-scale cinematic experience in California. This will generate jobs and revenue at a critical time while enabling filmmakers to realize their vision at the highest level.” n nThe funding round also supports 42 independent films, 32 of which have budgets under $10 million. Notable titles include *Epiphany*, starring Bill Murray and Kristen Wiig, directed by Max Barbakow; *The Incredible Heist of Hallelujah Jones*, produced by Taika Waititi and featuring Janelle Monáe; *Sun Baked*, with Ruby Cruz, Kiernan Shipka, and Lukas George; *A Tree is Blue*, produced by Dakota Johnson; *Nightwatching*, produced by and starring Mila Kunis; and *Untitled MMX Drama*, produced by two-time Oscar nominee Fred Berger. n nBerger commented: “Filmmaking in California gives us access to world-class talent and an unmatched creative ecosystem. Being able to shoot our project in LA allows us to showcase the artistry that makes this state the epicenter of cinema.” n nEllen Goldsmith-Vein, producer of *Epiphany* and chair of Mayor Karen Bass’ Entertainment Industry Council, noted: “Supporting storytellers means creating in places that value the craft. California has shaped my career, and producing here keeps skilled jobs within my community.” n nDakota Johnson, producing *A Tree is Blue*, said: “California has always been a source of inspiration. Making an independent film here, with this light and these collaborators, feels completely organic. The dedication of local crews to the process and emotional core of a story is rare—and essential for films like ours.” n nThe California Film Commission, the state agency responsible for promoting film, TV, and commercial production, administers the tax credit program. Since its launch in 2009, the initiative has driven over $27 billion in economic output and supported more than 211,000 jobs. Historical data shows that each dollar in tax credits generates $24.40 in economic activity, $16.14 in GDP, and $8.60 in wages. n nThe enhanced program remains one of the largest capped film incentives in the U.S., preserving California’s competitive edge by prioritizing workforce diversity, expanding funding for the Career Pathways Training Program, and launching the nation’s first Safety on Production Pilot Program. Governor Newsom’s 2025 expansion solidified the state’s commitment to retaining production, below-the-line employment, and creative investment within its borders. n
— News Original —nGovernor Newsom announces tax credit awards for new job-creating films shooting in California and generating $1.4 billion for the state’s economynCollectively, the productions will employ an estimated 8,900 cast & crew and 46,400 background performers (measured in days worked) over the course of 1,664 filming days statewide. This round also saw applications nearly double compared to the last film round under Program 3.0 – the previous iteration of the program before it was expanded earlier this year. n nRecord-breaking production activity n nThis surge of projects reinforces California’s continued leadership as the global hub of entertainment production. The expanded Film & Television Tax Credit Program is driving unparalleled economic activity within the Los Angeles filming zone and regions beyond. n nThe announced projects include 511 filming days outside of the Los Angeles area – known as “out-of-zone” filming days – representing the highest total in a single application round in program history and ensuring that economic benefits reach communities across the state. 38 projects are scheduled to film in counties throughout California — Alameda, Contra Costa, Imperial, Inyo, Marin, Montecito, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Clara — generating local employment opportunities, supporting small businesses, and strengthening communities across the Golden State. n nOut-of-zone filming benefits the state’s regional economies and businesses, including retail, grocers, hardware stores, and hotels. Productions also spend on local services such as construction, catering, florists and local governments’ police and fire departments, as well as permitting fees. n n“This round of awards demonstrates the outstanding scope of our program. We are welcoming projects from major franchises to independent films led by visionary artists,” said Colleen Bell, Director California Film Commission. “There’s real momentum building. With 52 new projects, we’re seeing storytelling thrive once again, creating thousands of jobs and supporting local businesses in communities across the state. California’s film industry is not just rebounding, it’s redefining what’s possible.” n nMajor studio projects are doubling down on California n n10 major studio/non-independent projects are among the recipients, including: n nUntitled Jumanji (Sony Pictures) – latest installment in the hit franchise n nHeat 2 (Forward Pass, Inc.) – Michael Mann’s highly anticipated prequel & sequel to the iconic crime saga n nSunday (Blumhouse Films) – adaptation of the acclaimed novel n nUntitled Daniels Project (NBC Universal) – from the Academy Award-winning producers of Everything Everywhere All at Once n nThe Fifth Wheel (Netflix) – directed by Eva Longoria n n“I’m thrilled that the new Jumanji movie is going to be made in California. I have long looked forward to the day when the California Film Incentive would help us bring movies like this one back home — and now that it does, I am so grateful that ours will be among the first to take advantage of the new program,” said Director Jake Kasdan. “Making these big popcorn movies requires hundreds of specially-skilled people, and the world’s finest live in California.” n n“We are delighted to be able to bring a large, old school, big screen movie to shoot in California, thanks to the newly expanded California tax credit,” said Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of Motion Picture Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “The resultant work will bring jobs and revenue into the state at a much needed time and will help the filmmakers make the very best film possible.” n nIndependent films are on the rise n nThis round also supports 42 independent projects, with 32 project budgets under $10 million and 10 over $10 million. Highlights include: n nEpiphany – starring Bill Murray and Kristen Wiig, directed by Max Barbakow, written by Mitch Glaser, produced by Lee Stollman, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, and Jillian Apfelbaum n nThe Incredible Heist of Hallelujah Jones – produced by Taika Waititi and starring Janelle Monae n nSun Baked – starring Ruby Cruz, Kiernan Shipka and Lukas George n nA Tree is Blue – produced by Dakota Johnson n nNightwatching – produced by and starring Mila Kunis n nUntitled MMX Drama – produced by Fred Berger n n“It’s a privilege to make movies in California, which allows us to collaborate with the most talented crews and performers and to tap into an industry ecosystem that is unmatched anywhere in the world,” said Fred Berger, two-time Academy Award nominee. “We’re so grateful to be able to shoot our Untitled MMX Drama in LA and highlight the incredible artistry that makes California the heart of filmmaking.” n n“As Chair of Mayor Karen Bass’ Entertainment Industry Council, I know how important it is to create in a place that supports storytellers,” said Producer Ellen Goldsmith-Vein. “California has been home to my career from the start, and being able to make Epiphany here means I get to work with the best crews in the business while keeping jobs in my community.” n n”California has always inspired me. To make an independent film here, with these people and this light, feels like the most natural thing in the world,” said Producer Dakota Johnson. “The crews here care about the work, the process, and the heart behind it. That kind of collaboration is rare, and it means everything to a film like ours.” n nAbout the California Film Commission and Film & Television Tax Credit Program n nThe California Film Commission (CFC) is a state agency tasked with enhancing California’s status as the leading location for motion picture, television, and commercial production. CFC administers the Film & Television Tax Credit Program, which was expanded by Governor Newsom in 2025 to $750 million annually. n nSince its inception in 2009, California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program has generated over $27 billion in economic activity and supported more than 211,000 cast and crew jobs across the state. In years past, for every dollar of tax credit awarded, California has seen massive returns — $24.40 in economic output, $16.14 in GDP and $8.60 in wages. n nThe expanded program — now one of the largest capped film incentives in the nation — maintains California’s competitive edge in the creative economy while continuing to prioritize workforce diversity provisions, more funding for the Career Pathways Training Program, and the nation’s first Safety on Production Pilot Program. n nEarlier this year, the Governor more than doubled California’s Film and Television Tax Credit program — from $330 million to $750 million — and implemented key updates to keep production, below-the-line jobs, and investment rooted in California.
