Marking the Largest Round in State History, 51 Films Selected for Film & Television Tax Credit Program

Mar 19, 2025 | Press Release

What you need to know: 51 projects — including 46 independent features — to generate nearly $580 million in economic activity and employ over 6,490 cast and crew thanks to California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program.

HOLLYWOOD – The California Film Commission announced today that 51 film projects have been selected for the latest round of awards under the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program. This constitutes the most projects ever approved in one application window. Collectively, these productions are estimated to spend $346.9 million in wages and generate approximately $577.8 million in qualified expenditures statewide. These projects are also expected to hire 6,490 cast and crew members, with 37,000 background performers hired, measured in days worked.

“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. Today’s awards are vital to keeping production where it belongs – generating thousands of good-paying jobs ‘below the line,’ and supporting the local businesses that rely on a thriving film and television industry.” – Governor Gavin Newsom

This latest allocation round includes an impressive slate of 46 independent and 5 non-independent films, reflecting an unprecedented regional diversity and offering significant economic benefits across the state with 31 projects planning to film in various areas beyond Los Angeles. These projects plan to film more than 360 days in Contra Costa, Oakland, Ojai, Merced, and San Diego Counties, among others.

Small businesses in these regions—including vendors, caterers, hotels, local merchants, transportation services, equipment suppliers, and specialty contractors—are expected to reap substantial benefits from this surge in film production. As filming activity ramps up, numerous communities will experience direct economic stimulation through increased job opportunities, heightened local commerce, and a boost in revenue for ancillary businesses, contributing especially to the Los Angeles region’s ongoing economic recovery and long-term growth.

“The devastating wildfires in Southern California have presented unprecedented challenges for our film and television community, disrupting more than a dozen productions within our Film & Television Tax Credit Program alone and impacting countless more”, said Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission. “These disruptions have impacted employment for thousands of cast and crew members, affecting everything from production schedules and financing to housing and location access. Now more than ever, this program is a critical tool to help productions recover, keeping jobs and investment here in our state, all while ensuring that California remains the heart of the entertainment industry.”

Among the notable selections is a new project by Academy Award-winning filmmakers Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (The Daniels) and producer Jonathan Wang.

“We are LA filmmakers, with very dear LA friends, who happen to be some of the greatest creative talents we’ve worked with,” said The Daniels and Wang in a joint statement. “On ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ we received the California tax credit, and had we not, it would have been utterly impossible to make that film. We were also deeply moved by the CFC’s commitment to supporting local filmmakers and the broader community. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to film our next project in Los Angeles, creating jobs and opportunities for countless Californians.”

Additional highlights from this round of awards include:

Untitled Daniels/Wang Project (NBCUniversal), expected to receive $20.8 million in tax credits, generating estimated wages of $61.9 million and total qualified spending of $106.8 million.
Business Women (Twentieth Century Studios), securing $5.7 million in tax credits, estimated wages of $27.6 million, and total qualified spending of $49.4 million.
Behemoth! (Dialogue Industries Inc.), projected to bring $36.1 million in total qualified spending and generate $28.9 million in wages, securing $7.4 million in tax credits.
Cut Off (Warner Bros. Pictures), receiving $10 million in tax credits, with estimated wages of $28.3 million and total qualified spending of $49.4 million.
Untitled Drag Queen Movie (World of Wonder Productions), securing $1.7 million in tax credits, estimated wages of $4.4 million, and total qualified spending of $6.6 million.

“Category is: there’s no place like home!” said producer RuPaul Charles. “As someone who’s produced a TV series in Los Angeles for 17 years, I’m thrilled that our feature film, ‘Untitled Drag Queen Movie,’ is receiving tax credits from the California Film Commission. These incentives have been instrumental in supporting our financing. And best of all, we’re getting people back to work in Hollywood.”

Additional independent projects approved in this allocation, such as Animals, Not Her, TBTN, Phantom, A Bobby Thing, and Reenactment, enhance California’s vibrant storytelling landscape while providing extensive employment opportunities across the state’s diverse creative workforce. These projects will not only foster industry growth, but also spotlight California’s dynamic ability to accommodate a broad spectrum of filmmaking ventures.

For the full list of productions that are part of the Film and Television Tax Credit Program, see here.

About California Film Commission and Film & TV Tax Credit Program

The California Film Commission enhances California’s status as the leader in motion picture, television and commercial production. It supports productions of all sizes/budgets and focuses on activities that stimulate and preserve production jobs, spending and tax revenues in California. Services include administration of the state’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program, permits for filming at state-owned properties, an extensive digital location library, location assistance and a range of other production-related resources and assistance.

The Film & Television Tax Credit Program provides tax credits based on qualified expenditures for eligible productions that are produced in California. The current $1.55 billion program will run for a total of five years, with a sunset date of June 30, 2025. Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 132 on July 10, 2023, extending the program for another five years, through fiscal 2030-31.

Looking ahead, the next film application window is slated for April 21, 2025. Television applications will be accepted at the end of March and again in May. Application dates and deadlines are posted on the California Film Commission website.

Aram Nadjarian
Mozaic Media & Communications on behalf of California Film Commission
Email: aram@mozaicmc.com
(323) 533-4523