Governor Newsom Announces $750 Million in Tax Credits too Fuel California Film Industry, projects to Generate $1.4 Billion Economic Impact
SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a important expansion of California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program, awarding $750 million in credits to attract and retain film and television production within the state. The investment is projected to generate a significant $1.4 billion in economic activity and support thousands of jobs for California’s skilled entertainment workforce.
The expanded program, more than doubled from $330 million, underscores California’s commitment to remaining the leading location for motion picture, television, and commercial production. Since its inception in 2009, the Film & Television Tax Credit Program has already generated over $27 billion in economic activity and supported more than 211,000 cast and crew jobs statewide. historically, for every dollar of tax credit awarded, California has seen $24.40 in economic output, $16.14 in GDP, and $8.60 in wages.
Among the projects receiving tax credits are several high-profile productions, including an untitled drama starring Mila Kunis, produced by Fred Berger.
“It’s a privilege to make movies in California, which allows us to collaborate with the most talented crews and performers and to tap into an industry ecosystem that is unmatched anywhere in the world,” said Fred Berger, a two-time Academy Award nominee. “We’re so grateful to be able to shoot our Untitled MMX Drama in LA and highlight the unbelievable artistry that makes California the heart of filmmaking.”
Other productions benefiting from the credits include “Epiphany,” with producers Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Dakota Johnson praising the state’s supportive habitat for filmmakers.
“As Chair of Mayor Karen Bass’ Entertainment Industry Council, I know how crucial it is to create in a place that supports storytellers,” said Producer Ellen goldsmith-Vein. “California has been home to my career from the start, and being able to make Epiphany here means I get to work with the best crews in the business while keeping jobs in my community.”
“California has always inspired me. To make an independent film here, with these people and this light, feels like the most natural thing in the world,” said Producer Dakota Johnson. “The crews here care about the work, the process, and the heart behind it. That kind of collaboration is rare, and it means everything to a film like ours.”
the expanded program prioritizes workforce diversity provisions, increased funding for the Career Pathways training Program, and the nation’s first Safety on Production Pilot Program. The updates, announced in July 2025, aim to maintain California’s competitive edge in the creative economy.
The California Film commission (CFC) administers the program and is responsible for enhancing California’s position as a global leader in film and television production. More facts about the Film & Television Tax Credit Program can be found at www.film.ca.gov.
