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Films coming to the Golden State include 20th Century Studios\u2019 The Simpsons Movie 2 and Phineas and Ferb from Disney Television Animation, a part of Disney Branded Television, Self Help produced by Will Ferrell, and Black Is Blue with Laverne Cox.<\/p>\n
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\u201cCalifornia remains the entertainment capital of the world \u2014 and we\u2019re making sure it stays that way. Our expanded film and television tax credit is keeping more productions here in the Golden State, creating good-paying jobs and supporting communities statewide. I\u2019m proud to announce the next round of projects that will keep California rolling and strengthen our leadership in the global creative economy.\u201d Governor Newsom <\/p>\n
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\u00a0California\u2019s expansion of tax credit keeps delivering <\/p>\n
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Today\u2019s awardees are the result of the Governor\u2019s recent expansion of the Film & Television Tax Credit Program, which has had an undeniably positive impact on the production industry since it went into effect. In the first application window of the newly expanded program alone, applications jumped more than 400%<\/a>. And, since that time, the CFC has approved tax credits for 147 productions \u2013 a 53% increase compared to the same time period last year (July 2024 \u2013 April 2025). Together, these 147 new projects represent $5.5 billion in total economic activity, 21,504 cast and crew jobs, and 5,928 filming days across California.\u00a0 <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Further proving its ability to drive lasting economic impact as one of the country\u2019s leading production incentives, today\u2019s awards alone will support productions:<\/p>\n Employing 5,316 cast and crew, along with 20,845 background performers (measured in days worked) \u201cThis round marks a truly exciting milestone for our program. For the first time, we\u2019re welcoming animated feature films from powerhouses DreamWorks Animation, 20th Century Studios and Disney Television Animation, alongside a strong slate of big budget features and independent productions, that bring fresh voices and original storytelling to the screen. With more than 45% of filming days taking place outside the traditional studio zone, we\u2019re seeing the real-world economic impact of this program reach communities across the entire state. That\u2019s what this program is about: creating good-paying jobs and supporting local businesses, while bolstering California\u2019s creative economy in regions across the state.\u201d \u2013 Colleen Bell, Executive Director of the California Film Commission.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s awards reinforce California\u2019s continued resurgence as a premier destination for film production, bringing large-scale projects back to capitalize on the state\u2019s world-class crews, infrastructure, and creative talent. Expanded funding and program enhancements, including a higher effective tax credit rate, are driving this renewed momentum, encouraging productions to reinvest in the state\u2019s workforce and production ecosystem.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Animation heavy hitters enter the program<\/p>\n Animated feature films were eligible for the first time in the program\u2019s history, with today\u2019s round awarding three inaugural projects from industry leaders \u2013 The Simpsons Movie 2 from 20th Century Studios and Phineas and Ferb from Disney Television Animation, a part of Disney Branded Television, as well as a new feature from DreamWorks Animation. Collectively, these projects are anticipated to employ 484 cast and crew and deliver $144 million in qualified expenditures.<\/p>\n 20th Century Studios Promotional Image<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are incredibly grateful to be the first animated feature selected by the Film Commission to receive a tax credit in California,\u201d said Randy Lake, Chief Operating Officer for DreamWorks Animation. \u201cThis credit will have a massive impact on our budgets, allowing DreamWorks to hire more local talent to complement our industry-leading animators and technologists.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0Big budget productions and indies continue to drive impact<\/p>\n Additional notable projects in this round \u2013 a combination of big budget and independent productions \u2013 include:<\/p>\n Black Is Blue (Black is Blue LLC) Gloria Sanchez Productions Co-Founders Jessica Elbaum and Will Ferrell, Courtesy of Kathy Hutchins\/Shutterstock.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re honored that Self Help has been selected for California\u2019s Film & TV Tax Credit Program,\u201d said Gloria Sanchez Productions co-founder, Will Ferrell. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing real momentum again in California, and it\u2019s incredibly meaningful to be part of bringing production home and working with the crews who make this industry so special.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m incredibly grateful to the California Film Commission for supporting Black Is Blue,\u201d said lead actor Laverne Cox. \u201cCalifornia has always been a place where bold, authentic stories come to life, and being able to make this film here means we get to collaborate with some of the most talented crews and artists in the world while investing back into the creative community that makes this industry possible.\u201d<\/p>\n About California\u2019s Film & Television Tax Credit Program<\/p>\n The California Film Commission (CFC) administers the Film & Television Tax Credit Program. Earlier this year, the Governor more than doubled California\u2019s Film & Television Tax Credit Program<\/a> \u2014 from $330 million to $750 million \u2014 and implemented key updates to keep production, below-the-line jobs, and investment rooted in California.<\/p>\n Since its inception in 2009, California\u2019s Film & Television Tax Credit Program has generated over $32.3 billion in economic activity and supported more than 234,000 cast and crew jobs across the state. In years past, for every dollar of tax credit awarded, California has seen massive returns \u2014 $24.40 in economic output, $16.14 in GDP and $8.60 in wages.<\/p>\n The expanded program \u2014 now one of the largest capped film incentives in the nation \u2014 maintains California\u2019s competitive edge in the creative economy while continuing to prioritize workforce diversity provisions, more funding for the Career Pathways Training Program, and the nation\u2019s first Safety on Production Pilot Program.<\/p>\n
\nAccounting for 1,019 shooting days statewide, including 463 out-of-zone filming days in Humboldt, Inyo, Kern, Mendocino, Nevada, San Francisco, San Diego, Marin, and Ventura counties, among others.
\nDelivering $554 million in qualified spending, including $373 million in qualified wages<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/The-Simpsons-Movie-2.jpg\")
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\nThe Renewal (Artists Equity)
\nSelf Help (Gloria Sanchez Productions)
\nTommy & Me (Mandalay Pictures, Intuition Productions, Free Association, , Skydance Sports)
\nUntitled Paramount Crime Thriller (Paramount)<\/p>\n![\"Will](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Will-F.jpg\")
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