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The Unions and Guilds in the Entertainment Union Coalition stand with Governor Newsom’s inclusion of an expanded $750 million annual California Film & Television Jobs Program in the 2025-2026 budget. Unlike other economic incentives, this program is directly tied to the creation of jobs for California workers, strengthens the economic future of California, and supports a healthy and viable motion picture industry by creating jobs where workers live.
For over a century, California has been the heart of the global film and television industry, supporting hundreds of thousands of middle-class workers and fueling a vast network of local businesses, tourism, and economic growth. However, in recent years, increasing competition from other states and countries, compounded by economic downturns, and devastating natural disasters, have put California’s entertainment workforce at risk. Productions are leaving the state in record numbers, resulting in significant job losses and economic hardships for thousands of industry professionals and their families.
Expanding California’s Film & Television Jobs Program is essential to ensuring the industry remains a major economic driver, supporting jobs, businesses, and tourism. Without this investment, California risks losing its status as the global entertainment capital, along with thousands of middle-class jobs and billions in economic benefits.
The information below highlights not only the impact of our entertainment industry throughout the state, but also the recent challenges and immense hardship of industry workers to keep California competitive, workers employed, and the industry rolling.
When our industry thrives, California thrives.
The California film and television industry is facing an existential threat. While the state has long been a global entertainment hub, recent years have seen productions moving to other states and countries with more competitive incentives. Challenges such as corporate contraction and natural disasters have further impacted workers. Without decisive action, California risks losing thousands of middle-class jobs and billions in economic benefits.
Film and television production supports thousands of middle-class jobs and provides critical income for local businesses. A robust incentive program ensures that industry workers, from camera operators to set designers, can continue working in their home state. The loss of productions to other regions has resulted in significant declines in employment and revenue, highlighting the urgent need for legislative intervention.
Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed expanding the Film & Television Jobs Program from $330 million to $750 million annually to keep California competitive. This increase will help retain existing jobs, create jobs through pathway programs, attract new productions, and support businesses that rely on the entertainment industry. Without this expansion, California risks falling behind in the global production landscape.
Unlike corporate tax breaks, the Film & Television Jobs Program is a direct investment in California’s workforce. Productions that receive the incentive must first hire local workers and spend within the state. This ensures that every dollar allocated leads to job creation, economic growth, and reinvestment in California’s creative industries.
Film and television production fuels California’s tourism industry, drawing visitors to iconic locations featured on screen. The industry’s economic impact extends beyond the set, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and countless small businesses. Keeping productions in-state means sustaining this vital revenue stream for communities across California.
California’s recent wildfires have further devastated the entertainment industry, displacing workers and damaging infrastructure. Despite these challenges, industry professionals have rallied together, offering support and resources for those affected. Expanding the Film & Television Jobs Program will provide a pathway to recovery for both the industry and the broader California economy.
Every dollar spent on California’s Film and Television Jobs Program generates $24.40 in economic activity, $16.14 in GDP, $8.60 in wages, and $1.07 in tax revenue returned to local and state governments.
Recent productions moving outside of California accounted for $1.46 billion in spending lost to our state, significantly impacting below-the-line production workers, local businesses dependent on the film and television industry, as well as tax revenue and contributions to both state and local governments.
From 2015 to 2020, 157 out of 312 projects (50%) that applied for but did not receive a California tax credit relocated to other states.
If these productions had remained in California, the state would have reaped the economic benefits. Instead, the loss cost the state:
- $7.7 billion in generated economic activity
- 28,000 total jobs
- Approximately $2.6 billion in labor income
- $354.4 million in state and local tax revenues
The Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans (MPIPHP) reported 35 million fewer hours of employment since 2022, equating to approximately 17,000 lost jobs.
Between 2009 and 2021, 2.4 million individuals were employed in the industry, with $8.2 billion in wages paid to 1.7 million California film workers.
California has allocated $3.3 billion in tax incentives, but productions spent $26 billion and hired 187,000 cast and crew members.
In a 2025 survey, 93% of studio executives ranked tax incentives as a top three cost-control measure, but ranked California only 6th in preferred production locations.
The American film and television industry supports over 2 million jobs, contributes $180 billion in total wages, and encompasses 122,000 businesses nationwide.
The California film industry has influenced 18 million trips, generating $51 billion in visitor spending and $3.4 billion in tax revenue over the past decade.
Nearly 1,000 industry members lost their homes in recent California wildfires, exacerbating financial and employment instability.
Governor Newsom’s 2025-2026 budget proposal to increase funding from $330 million to $750 million annually is essential to keeping California competitive and preserving thousands of middle-class jobs.
For those who want a deep dive into the issues, here is our full Legislators Packet, outlining why this program is critical for California’s economy and workforce.
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