In a move that further cements California's role as a powerhouse in the film industry, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that 28 new films are slated to kick off production in the state, as reported by a recent press release. These films have garnered awards through the California Film Commission's Film & Television Tax Credit Program, which was expanded earlier this year to maintain the state as a top destination for filmmakers around the globe. The projects spotlight the state's diversity with an assortment that includes a new piece from Academy Award winner Ang Lee and a biopic from Long Beach's own Snoop Dogg.
Together, these 28 projects are predicted to juice up local economies with an estimated $562 million in total economic activity and by hiring nearly 5,000 cast and crew members and more than 22,000 background actors, it will inject substantial funds into the state’s economy, including $209 million in qualified wages, Governor Newsom revealed that this current round of tax incentives hits the halfway mark of the Program 4.0 expansion which, in less than six months, has produced a staggering $4.17 billion in economic activity and supported thousands of jobs over 4,000 filming days across the state. The boon to regional economies is not confined to the industry's traditional L.A. heartland, as out-of-zone shooting days are expected to pepper counties statewide, from Alameda to Sonoma, including destination spots like Joshua Tree and Palm Springs.
Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission, highlighted the commitment to telling California-centric stories: "We’re very proud to feature so many California-centric stories with this round," she stated in the same press release. Making a firm stand for local narratives, Ang Lee's upcoming "Gold Mountain" will contribute 50 of the 286 out-of-zone filming days, all within Sacramento County. In addition, five independent projects have plans to shoot exclusively outside of the Los Angeles zone, further diversifying the locations utilized for these upcoming productions.
Snoop Dogg chimed in with appreciation for the state's support, "Big love to the California Film Commission and Gov. Newsom for holdin’ it down with that tax credit," the hip-hop mogul expressed his gratitude in a statement obtained by the California Film Commission. Echoing the sentiment, Gina Rodriguez, director of the indie film "Guerrero," acknowledged the significance of filming in Los Angeles, "I’m deeply honored that our film has been selected for the California Tax Credit," Rodriguez told the California Film Commission, emphasizing the collaborative opportunities that exist in the state. Since its inception in 2009, the Film & Television Tax Credit Program has bolstered the state's economy with over $30.6 billion in economic activity and helped to sustain more than 228,000 jobs, an impact that's poised to expand with the Program's recent escalation to a cap of $750 million.
