Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the California Film Commission has selected 51 film projects for awards under the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program. This selection marks the largest number of projects approved in a single application window.

Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of keeping production in California, stating, "While other states try to chase California’s on-screen success, everyone knows the Golden State is the entertainment capital of the world – built through decades of innovation and hard work." He added that these awards are crucial for generating jobs and supporting local businesses reliant on a thriving film industry.

The selected productions are projected to spend $346.9 million in wages and generate approximately $577.8 million in qualified expenditures across California. They are expected to employ over 6,490 cast and crew members and hire 37,000 background performers.

This allocation includes 46 independent films and five non-independent films, showcasing regional diversity with plans to shoot in various locations beyond Los Angeles. The projects will be filmed over more than 360 days in counties such as Contra Costa, Oakland, Ojai, Merced, and San Diego.

Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission, highlighted challenges faced by the industry due to wildfires: “These disruptions have impacted employment for thousands of cast and crew members... Now more than ever, this program is a critical tool to help productions recover."

Highlights from this round include several notable projects:

- Untitled Daniels/Wang Project (NBCUniversal) will receive $20.8 million in tax credits.

- Business Women (Twentieth Century Studios) will secure $5.7 million.

- Behemoth! (Dialogue Industries Inc.) will bring $36.1 million in spending.

- Cut Off (Warner Bros. Pictures) will receive $10 million.

- Untitled Drag Queen Movie (World of Wonder Productions) will secure $1.7 million.

The Daniels and Wang expressed their gratitude: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to film our next project in Los Angeles.” Producer RuPaul Charles also shared enthusiasm: “As someone who’s produced a TV series in Los Angeles for 17 years... we’re getting people back to work in Hollywood.”