Mayor Karen Bass has issued a new executive directive to support local film and TV jobs by making it easier for studios and independent producers alike to shoot movies, television shows and commercials here in Los Angeles. Mayor Bass’ directive lowers costs and streamlines city processes for on-location filming and increases access to iconic city locations including the Central Library, Port of LA and Griffith Observatory to make the City more friendly and supportive of local filming.
Mayor Bass also renewed her call on the state legislature to pass Governor Newsom’s proposal to make historic investments in the state film tax credit to make California more competitive with the other states and countries that offer powerful financial incentives to attract productions. The Mayor has been consistent in her support for the entertainment industry – a cornerstone of the Los Angeles economy.
The Entertainment Industry plays a critical role in Los Angeles’ economy, providing jobs and supporting numerous related sectors. In recent years, the City has partnered with industry stakeholders to stabilize local production, amid growing competition from other states and countries and an overall decline in filming activity.
In August 2024, Executive Directive 8 was issued to address key challenges by focusing on workforce development, streamlining City procedures for production, and advancing policy to retain jobs and projects in Los Angeles. Since then, City departments have worked with industry representatives to improve transparency and foster a more service-oriented approach.
The City also partnered with the State of California to expand the Film and Television Tax Credit Program to $750 million—a significant increase designed to attract and retain production statewide. This expansion builds on earlier efforts initiated during my tenure as Speaker of the California State Assembly.
To continue this progress, Executive Directive 11 introduces targeted procedural changes to reduce barriers to filming and increase efficiency. These changes were outlined in the recent State of the City Address and are intended to strengthen the City’s ability to support ongoing industry activity.
Recognizing the current challenges related to permitting and the use of City properties, all relevant departments are instructed to implement the following operational improvements and report back within 30 calendar days. These updates should focus on streamlining processes and reducing complexity without increasing staffing requirements.
