Overview
- Governor Gavin Newsom signed a trailer bill on July 2 that doubles the annual cap from $330 million to $750 million and makes credits refundable
- The California Film Commission will accept applications from July 7 under the expanded program
- State projections estimate the $750 million investment will support about 6,500 cast and crew jobs and generate roughly $664 million in economic activity
- AB 1138, pending final legislative approval, would extend the incentive to animation, sitcoms and competition shows and increase credit rates for Los Angeles and out-of-zone productions
- Entertainment unions and industry leaders praise the expanded credits for drawing productions back to California while critics question the program’s long-term economic return