By Sacramento City Express
The City of Sacramento’s Film + Media office now is accepting applications for its film grant, which works to sustain and foster growth in film and television production in the city of Sacramento.
The film grant program, now in its fifth year, is funded by Measure U funds.
“This program continues to be an important investment in Sacramento’s film and media landscape,” said Sacramento Film Commissioner Jennifer West. “We’re eager to support projects that advance our local industry and highlight the creativity of Sacramento’s filmmakers.”
Applications close Jan. 15, 2026. Six production grants of $10,000 and two post-production grants of $5,000 will be awarded across two grant rounds.
Funds can be used to help subsidize permit fees, reduce the costs of safety personnel and reimburse qualified production expenses incurred in the city of Sacramento.
Launched in 2021, the film-incentive grant program has allocated more than $267,500 for 26 grants to support locally shot productions. The recipients of the grants represent a range of storylines with diverse cast and crews.
Funding is available to productions filming at least 50% of their project in the Sacramento region with at least two locations in the city of Sacramento. This grant is also open to productions where 75% of post-production is done in the city.
Eligible productions include feature-length films, short films, episodic television, television pilots, television movies/miniseries, documentaries, docuseries, commercials, music videos and unscripted television.
Grant applications will be reviewed and scored by a panel consisting of staff, film industry peers and economic development professionals.
To review eligibility and guidelines, and to apply, please visit the Sacramento Film + Media grants website.
About Sacramento Film + Media
Sacramento Film + Media office provides essential services to those interested in filming in the Sacramento area. The office works to leverage regional location assets, strengthen local crews, assist local filmmakers and attract out-of-town productions.
The office facilitates film permitting and provides location assistance, production information, ordinance and regulatory information, internships and grant opportunities.
Forty-seven film permits have been issued in 2025 for 81 days of filming. The Film Office issued 74 permits in 2024, a figure elevated in part by the Warner Bros. Discovery production “One Battle After Another.” Overall filming activity resulted in 953 local hires, 4,014 hotel nights and a direct economic impact of $6.3 million.
The office also launched a film and media incentive program on July 1, 2025, establishing a $250,000 rebate to attract additional large independent films, commercials and television projects to the region. Guidelines and the application are available on the program website.
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