July 18, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

FilmLA Reveals Startling Statistic: California Has Trouble Procuring Film Shooting Locations

California continues to have significant competition when it comes to hosting film shoots, coming in fourth among international competitors in 2016, according to a report released Tuesday by a nonprofit film office serving the greater Los Angeles region.

FilmL.A.’s research division analyzed the 100 highest-performing U.S. feature films released theatrically last year, identifying where they were filmed and how much was spent to produce them.

Of those films, a total of 12 California-made projects were released theatrically in 2016 (seven live-action and five animated), giving the Golden State a fourth-place rank in terms of projects hosted.

Georgia took first place with 17 projects — all live-action — followed by the United Kingdom with 16 projects, also all live-action.

California was second in 2015, first in 2014 and tied for first in 2013, indicating it may now have permanent competition from other filming hubs.

“California’s top competitors are investing substantial sums to attract new feature projects with large production budgets,” FilmL.A. President Paul Audley said. “This study provides an updated look at California’s position within this space, and reaffirms the highly competitive nature of tax credits and rebate programs worldwide.”

In terms of project spending, the dozen projects that filmed in California brought an estimated $851.2 million in total production spending to the state, second only to the UK,  which attracted $1.1 billion in production spending, according to FilmL.A.

Despite the competition for feature projects, California remains the world’s top film and television production center, the study showed. With more than $30 billion in direct spending annually, the volume of film and TV production activity in California is more than New York, Georgia, Louisiana, the UK and Canada combined, according to the report.

Feature filming grew a total of 12 percent in 2016 in Los Angeles, making it the biggest year for feature production in the city since the state introduced a film incentive program in 2009, according to FilmL.A.

However, the report notes that the incentive programs are often more generous and aggressive in the countries and states that compete with California.

According to the report, the cost of Georgia’s film tax credit in terms of credits issued was $606 million in fiscal year 2016. That’s the largest amount spent by any jurisdiction in North America or Europe on a film tax credit program in a single year. By comparison, California’s credit is capped at $350 million per year.

Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...