Governor Gavin Newsom has greenlit 48 new film and television projects slated to take place in California, as reported by the Governor's office. This move comes as a boost to the state's Film & Television Tax Credit Program, which is anticipated to generate approximately $664 million in economic activity and provide jobs for over 6,500 cast and crew members.
Newsom, aiming to cement California's status as an entertainment powerhouse, has proposed a significant increase to the current tax credit, from $330 million to $750 million. In a statement obtained by the Governor's office, he notes, "California didn’t earn its role as the heart of the entertainment world by accident — it was built over generations by skilled workers and creative talent pushing boundaries." He further stated that these awards would help ensure that cameras keep rolling in California, supporting the industry's deep-seated economic ties in the community.
The diverse array of productions includes 43 independent features and five major studio films, with a noteworthy mention of Sony Pictures' “One of Them Days Sequel” produced by Issa Rae, which is expected to account for over $39 million in qualified spending. Nicole Brown, President of TriStar Pictures, emphasized Los Angeles's significance to the franchise, saying, "Los Angeles was an essential backdrop to ‘One of Them Days’ and we are thrilled that Dreux and Alyssa will embark on another authentic escapade through the city’s streets in the sequel through the support of California’s Film and Television Tax Credit," as told to the Governor's office.
While maintaining the industry's roots in Los Angeles, the aim is also to disperse production benefits across California. Projects like "Gold Mountain" and "The Teller" plan to shoot primarily outside of the LA area, bringing economic contributions to diverse locations statewide. What this equates to is investing in regions such as Ventura County, the Bay Area, and the coastal communities of Half Moon Bay and Costa Mesa, as recorded by the Governor's office.
Looking ahead, the California Film Commission will be opening up application windows for television and film projects in July and August respectively, aiming to sustain the growth of California as a prime location for film and television production. More details on applications and the awarded projects can be found on the Commission's website.
