Indies May Be Set to Replace Feature Films in California
Entertainment Attorney
As California gears up to square off with other states (and, let’s not forget, nations) in the battle of the locations, it seems like they’re targeting a new type of feature: the indies. We’ve seen more independent films than ever before tapped to receive tax credits to shoot in the state this year, no doubt in the hopes of warding off some of the impacts of the recent production slump in the area. With all the details, we have our expert entertainment attorney from Blake & Wang P.A., Brandon Blake.
More than half of 48 Films
Of the 48 titles benefiting from the offered film subsidies in the latest round, only 5 of them are full feature films, taking home around 50% of the $96M in tax credits up for grabs. The headliner being an (as yet) untitled Netflix project, with $20M budgeted. More than half of these films are independent projects.
That’s a whole lot of indie movies. It’s also a pithy reminder that the big-budget studio films are looking for location destinations with cheaper labor and willing to pay out higher subsidies for a little Hollywood glitz and glamor. Currently, the UK is proving a popular destination, offering qualified above-the-line costs and other perks.
We have also, finally, seen Governor Gavin Newsom solidify the proposed doubling of the available tax credit program to $750M, which shows that California is hoping to make a comeback in a major way.
Reclaiming the Home of Entertainment
Keeping the cameras rolling in California has been a major news focus throughout the past year. In total, the current slate of titles is expected to generate more than $664M in spending throughout the state, which has been dealing not only with the continuing turmoil in the entertainment industry but also the devastating wildfires that opened 2025.
This is expected to account for roughly 7,600 cast and crew jobs, as well as a massive 32,000 background performers and $302M in wages. Unlike many states, California uses a jobs ratio ranking, accounting for below-the-line wages when it selects qualifying productions. The Netflix project mentioned earlier is expected to pull in around $106M in qualified spending.
Let’s also not forget that, while indie productions make up a significant number in this round of funding ($48M of $96M), they also accounted for 46 of the record-breaking 51 productions from the last round, accounting for $43M of the $101M distributed.
Of this round’s 48, 22 will be shooting predominantly outside of the LA area. We’re seeing areas as different as Ventura County, El Dorado and Placer Counties, San Francisco and the Bay Area, and even smaller coastal communities like Half Moon Bay and Costa Mesa rise up the ranks.
It’s immensely positive to see the rise in support for independent productions, even if it was spurred mostly by the flight of larger projects to cheaper locations. With indie movies also taking on a new role as box office staples, helping to keep moviegoers engaged with cinemas, we may be looking at a new boom period for independent productions- and that’s always good news.