New Round of California Film Tax Credits Expected to Generate $800 Million in Economic Activity, Newsom Announces

California will host a wide variety of film productions under the state’s expanded Film & Television Tax Credit Program, Governor Gavin Newsom announced.

A total of 38 film projects were awarded tax credits under the program, which will generate roughly $800 million in economic activity throughout the state, Governor Newsom said in a statement on April 23, 2026.

The productions are projected to spend over 460 filming days outside the traditional 30-mile studio zone, generate employment opportunities, and bring investment to the state, according to the governor’s office.

The new, wide-ranging slate of film projects includes 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Simpsons Movie 2,’ ‘Phineas and Ferb’ from Disney Entertainment Television, Will Ferrell-produced ‘Self Help,’ and Laverne Cox-starrer ‘Black is Blue.’

Characterizing California as the “entertainment capital of the world,” Governor Newsom said these projects will ensure that films keep rolling in the state and strengthen California’s leadership in the global creative economy.

In the first application window of the newly expanded window, applications ballooned more than 400%, according to the governor’s office. Since then, the California Film Commission (CFC) has approved tax credits for 147 productions, representing a 53% jump compared to the same period last year (July 2024 to April 2025).

Together, these 147 projects account for $5.5 billion in economic activity, 21,504 cast and crew jobs, and 5,928 filming days across California, Governor Newsom said.

In addition to driving economic impact, the program will help support productions by accounting for 1,019 shooting days across the state. This includes 463 out-of-zone filming days in Humboldt, Inyo, Kern, Mendocino, Nevada, San Francisco, San Diego, Marin, and Ventura counties, according to the governor’s office.

The governor expanded the Film & Television Tax Credit program in July 2025, from $330 million to $750 million. He also implemented updates to ensure production, below-the-line jobs, and investment were secured in California.

Since it was established in 2009, California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program has generated more than $32.3 billion in economic activity and supported over 234,000 cast and crew jobs across the state, according to the governor’s office.

Program Allows Animation Feature Films

For the first time, the program has allowed animated feature films to be eligible for the program.

The new program has awarded tax credits to three inaugural animated films: ‘Simpsons Movie 2,’ ‘Phineas and Ferb,’ and a new untitled feature from DreamWorks Animation, according to the governor’s office.

Together, these projects are expected to employ 484 cast and crew members and deliver $144 million in qualified expenditures.

Big Budget Productions and Independent Films

Other notable film productions that were awarded tax credits include:

• ‘Black is Blue’

• ‘The Renewal’

• ‘Self-Help’

• ‘Tommy & Me’

• Untitled Paramount-produced crime thriller