Photo by Avel Chuklanov on Unsplash
California is doubling down on keeping cameras rolling within its borders. The state’s Film Commission just announced the approval of 48 new film projects through its competitive tax credit program — a move expected to pump more than $664 million directly into local economies.
This latest round of incentives covers a wide range of productions, from small independent films to major franchise sequels like One of Them Days 2. Streaming giant Netflix also secured a chunk of the credits for an upcoming project, landing $20 million in support to shoot in-state rather than elsewhere.
Combined, the newly approved projects will sustain more than 6,500 jobs for California’s cast and crew members and create an estimated 32,000 days of work for background actors — critical employment for an industry still bouncing back from pandemic disruptions and shifting audience habits.
Keeping California Competitive
Film and TV productions have become increasingly nomadic in recent years, lured away by lucrative tax breaks in places like Georgia, Canada, and the UK. California’s robust incentive program is an effort to stem that outflow and ensure Hollywood’s home base stays busy — and local small businesses, from catering companies to equipment rental houses, reap the benefits.
State leaders and union reps alike see these credits as an investment in middle-class jobs and a safeguard for California’s entertainment legacy. As more projects gear up to shoot, the economic ripple effects will extend far beyond studio backlots — strengthening local restaurants, hotels, and suppliers statewide.
