California Film Commission | State of California

Film in California

Watch the video to find out why California should be your next film destination.

Welcome to the California Film Commission!

The California Film Commission is your one-stop resource for film, TV, and commercial production across the Golden State. California is home to the entertainment industry … and for good reason. We have the best weather (315 days of sunshine), wildly diverse locations (from 840 miles of coastline to vast desert sand dunes), highly skilled crews and the best production infrastructure.

Our vast array of tools and resources will help you navigate all sorts of production issues, from work permits to on-set safety. Find links and contact info for relevant government agencies, industry associations, guilds and unions, production directories, entertainment job listings and more. Find useful charts for studio zones weather and college locations to name a few.

We look forward to helping you make your next project in California a success!

Message from the Executive Director

California Roars Back as Film & TV Production Helps Drive Post-Pandemic Recovery

Film and TV production supports well over 700,000 jobs and nearly $70 billion in wages for California workers. While the COVID-19 pandemic tested the industry’s resilience like never before, I’m delighted to report that production is once again thriving across the Golden State.

Production is resuming with health and safety protocols that set the world standard. As it has throughout the pandemic, the California Film Commission is committed to working with the industry to ensure everyone involved in the production is protected from COVID-19. In this effort, it has been wonderful to see unprecedented cooperation and coordination between industry guilds and unions, producers, and public health officials to help get cameras rolling again.

As we emerge from the pandemic, the California Film Commission offers a range of services, including a comprehensive list of COVID-19-related production resources, to resolve any remaining disruptions and coordinate with state, local and federal entities.

We’re here to help!

Colleen Bell, Executive Director
California Film Commission

Spotlight California Sizzle Reel

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Filmmaker Feedback

“I’m thrilled to be shooting in my home state of California. Not only was I born and raised here, but, as everyone knows, the California Raisins were a major creative influence, which I think will definitely rub off on this production.”

Andy Samberg, Producer & Star
Independent Feature, Palm Springs

“We’re thrilled to shoot the newest ‘Star Trek’ series in Los Angeles, where we can take advantage of California’s terrific crews, amazing range of locations and friendly business climate that welcomes and celebrates filmmakers of all kinds. Thanks to the California Film Commission’s help, we can bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars back to the best production facilities on earth.”

James Duff, Executive Producer
Star Trek Series

“Our ‘Rim of the World’ director McG was determined to film at Mammoth Lakes to feature the wonderful unmolested scenery. In the end, he did just that… and It makes for an epic opening that sets the mood perfectly. The setting in Mono County was exceptional, as were all of the cast and crew members. Most notably, Mammoth Lakes Resorts and the National Forest Service were super helpful, generous and accommodating.”