Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the approval of 22 new television projects under the California Film Commission’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program. This marks the first group of tax credits since the program was expanded in July, more than doubling available funding for qualified productions. The latest round received nearly four times as many applications compared to previous cycles.
The approved projects are expected to generate about $1.1 billion in economic activity across California. This includes $714 million in qualified expenditures and $413 million in qualified wages, with over 1,100 filming days projected statewide. The productions will employ an estimated 6,500 cast and crew members and provide work for around 46,100 background performers measured in days worked.
“California has long been the entertainment capital of the world — and the newly expanded film and TV tax credit program is keeping it that way. This program means paychecks for middle-class workers, opportunities for small businesses and investment in communities up and down the state. We’re not just protecting our legacy — we’re reminding the world why the Golden State remains the beating heart of film and television,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission, highlighted how this initiative supports local employment: “The Film and Television Tax Credit Program is meeting the challenge of creating jobs and keeping productions here at home. These 22 television projects will employ thousands of Californians and generate hundreds of millions for our state’s economy. Most importantly, they will keep world-class talent and crews here, ensuring California drives the future of storytelling.”
Of these shows, five are renewals, two are relocating to California from other states—including Tom Segura’s Netflix series “Bad Thoughts” moving from Texas—and fifteen are new series (including one limited series and three pilots). While most filming is set for Los Angeles County, four productions will shoot partly outside that region.
New additions include a Hulu drama from Dan Fogelman (“This Is Us”), a new HBO series by Larry David, second seasons of Lionsgate’s Emmy-nominated “The Studio” (distributed by Apple TV+) and Warner Bros.’ “Presumed Innocent,” Sony Pictures Television’s “S.W.A.T. EXILES,” CBS Studios’ “NCIS: Origins,” as well as Kenya Barris’ pilot “Group Chat” for Hulu.
Kenya Barris commented on shooting locally: “I am thrilled that we are going to be able to shoot ‘Group Chat’ in Los Angeles thanks to the California Film Commission tax credit. As an LA native, I feel lucky to have been able to shoot so many projects here throughout my career and love that we’ll be able to continue spotlighting our incredible city, its people and the culture. Not only does this credit allow us to work with the best crews and craftspeople around but, more importantly, it allows us to create jobs and support the LA film community at a time when it’s more important than ever.”
Producer Manny Halley also praised California’s production environment: “This bold program, designed by the California Film Commission, is incredibly clever and allows us to keep our film and TV productions in our preferred shooting destination – California. The state’s diverse locations and unmatched infrastructure provide everything we need for any project and pave the way for the creation of hundreds of jobs on every shoot, which is something we’re incredibly proud of. We’re thankful to be amongst those selected to participate in the program and are excited to begin production on the next installments of our ‘True to the Game’ and ‘Angel’ franchises, right here in California this year.”
The expanded tax credit initiative aims not only at job creation but also at supporting small businesses connected with film production throughout various regions within California.
