The California Film Commission (CFC) has awarded $108.6 million in tax credits to 10 film and television projects through its Film and Television Tax Credit Program and Soundstage Filming Tax Credit Program. This latest round of awards includes one relocating television series, one recurring television series, five new television series, one miniseries, and two non-independent feature films. Together, these productions are expected to generate $509 million in qualified California expenditures, supporting local businesses and creating 3,583 cast and crew jobs.
In an effort to retain more productions in California, the CFC added additional application windows this fall. Since the industry experienced a major labor disruption due to the dual strikes last year, the CFC added these windows to demonstrate a proactive commitment to addressing industry needs. This approach included three newly scheduled application windows: two for television series in September and October, followed by one for non-independent feature films in November.
Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission emphasized how, in this way, jobs are created:“We are working hard to keep productions filming in California. These tax credits help us keep jobs here in our state and drive economic growth, but the impact goes beyond the entertainment industry – it supports families, local businesses, and communities statewide," stated.
Collectively, these projects will invest $276 million in below-the-line wages, employing 1,666 cast members, 1,917 crew members, and 28,404 background performers, measured in days worked. The productions will also generate 835 filming days throughout California.
Among the highlights is “Imperfect Women” from 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios for Apple TV+, from Annie Weisman and starring and executive produced by Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington. Based on Araminta Hall’s dark novel, the series delves into the complex, decades-long friendship of three women who meet in college. The project will film for 85 days in California, spending more than $61 million in qualified expenditures and employing over 375 cast and crew members.
Lead actor and executive producer Elisabeth Moss highlighted how much the measure helps production: “I’m incredibly thrilled that we will be able to go into production on ‘Imperfect Women’ in Los Angeles, directly due to the support of the California Film Commission and their Tax Credit Program. Being able to produce and shoot this project where I was born and raised is thrilling and the importance of supporting our unrivaled local crews, while tapping into local production resources, cannot be overstated.”
Another standout project is “Bad Monkey” from Warner Bros. Discovery, which is relocating from Florida for its second season. Created by Emmy Award-winning producer Bill Lawrence, the series follows a former Miami detective turned restaurant inspector whose life takes a dark turn when a severed arm washes ashore. With 93 filming days in California, the production will generate $82 million in qualified expenditures, employing 460 cast and crew members and 4,290 background performers.
Yet another project of note is “Whalefall,” written and directed by Brian Duffield and co-written by Daniel Krause. The feature film from Disney’s 20th Century Studios is set along California’s picturesque coast and will include filming in Carmel. The production will spend $48.7 million locally, employing 191 cast and crew members and 409 background performers over 50 filming days.
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