LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass convened her Entertainment Industry Council last week following Governor Newsom’s proposed historic expansion of the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program from $330 million to $750 million annually. The program, which was originally created when Mayor Bass served as Speaker of the California State Assembly, has generated tens of billions of dollars in investments while creating nearly 200,000 jobs.
Here’s what L.A. leaders are saying about this bold proposal to expand the tax credit program to keep production in Los Angeles:
Michael F. Miller, IATSE International Vice President and Department Director of the Motion Picture & Television Production Department
"The California IATSE Council is proud to join with Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom in the effort to protect film and television production jobs. Mayor Bass knows that film and television workers who once flourished in this industry now face a dire situation as workers struggle to compete for production work. We need to level the playing field, which increasingly has other countries aggressively and successfully pursuing our jobs. Her creation of the Entertainment Industry Council, with a key mission of improving California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program, underscores her recognition that when we outsource our jobs, we outsource our future. We applaud these excellent first steps to level the playing field."
Wendy Greuel, Chair, California Film Commission
“Mayor Bass has long been an advocate for filming in Los Angeles and California and I am so appreciative of her partnership to ensure we keep our signature industry thriving in our communities. Mayor Bass knows how important a meaningful Film Tax Credit is for our state and her leadership to develop and support the Governor’s budget request is critical. With the creation of her own Entertainment Industry Council in Los Angeles, she has demonstrated her commitment to the industry. I look forward to a partnership between the Governor, the California Film Commission and Mayor Bass to bring Hollywood back!”
Charlie Rivkin, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Motion Picture Association
“Governor Newsom’s proposed improvements to the CA Film & TV Credit Program exemplify his commitment to securing Califnoria’s future as a leader in film, television, and streaming production. We look forward to working with the Legislature to expand this important program, and we appreciate Mayor Bass’ continued support for our industry – a further commitment to the hundreds of thousands of Californians and small businesses.”
Rebecca Rhine, Western Executive Director, Directors Guild of America
“The Governor’s proposal being supported by Mayor Bass’s Entertainment Industry Council provides a strong start to the campaign. We are all committed to making sure California’s elected leaders understand this is about jobs with benefits for California’s working families. We will continue to support this effort with the urgency and commitment it requires."
Ken Ziffren, Partner, Ziffren Brittenham LLP
“Governor Newsom’s proposal to increase the California Film Tax Credit amount to $750 million per year (effective for the 2025-2026 fiscal year) was wonderful. California needs to be competitive with other jurisdictions (both in the U.S. and internationally) in increasing film and television production and lifting the cap is the right approach. I look forward to working with Mayor Karen Bass and her Entertainment Industry Council in the effort to secure legislation which will be additive to the state’s economy.”
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Producer and CEO/Founder of The Gotham Group, Chair of Mayor Karen Bass’ Entertainment Industry Council
“The Entertainment Industry Council will support the Governor’s proposal in every way possible as it moves through the legislative process. Increased local film and television production has a titanic direct effect on industry jobs and the ability of countless allied small businesses to survive and thrive. This is the kind of galvanizing initiative and bold leadership that can make real change happen and we’re all deeply optimistic about its success. As a producer myself, I know that production incentives are an indispensable part of a film’s budget. Mayor Bass knew that when she helped create the incentive program back when she served as Speaker of the California State Assembly and since then, these incentives have generated tens of billions of dollars in investments while creating nearly 200,000 jobs.”
Zach Sokoloff, Hackman Capital Partners
"We were honored to host Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass at Hackman Capital Partners' Raleigh Studios, where a dramatic expansion of California’s film tax credit program was proposed. This is an important step to help keep production in Hollywood and support the thousands of Angelenos and ancillary businesses who rely on the entertainment industry. The Governor and Mayor highlighted that tax credits are one part of a multi-pronged approach to retain production and production jobs in-state. Both leaders recognized that as other states and countries develop the infrastructure to support their own production markets, California must continue to invest in the future of one of our state’s signature industries to remain the entertainment capital of the world. The modernization of Television City and Radford Studio Center will deliver sustainable, world-class production facilities to two of Los Angeles’ most iconic studio lots. These significant investments will keep California competitive in an increasingly global market and we must act urgently to approve and build these important studio projects.”