Lucasfilm’s “The Mandalorian & Grogu” and 14 other film projects have been greenlighted for California’s film and TV tax-credit program.
The California Film Commission said the productions will create nearly 20,000 jobs and add nearly $408 million into the state’s economy.
The California Film and Television Tax Credit Program offers companies a 20% tax break for productions with a budget of at least $1 million. The credit applies only to the first $100 million in expenditures and uplifts, or purchases paid off over time through installments.
The latest round of productions getting the tax credits includes five big-budget films and 10 independent films.
Lucasfilm’s “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” part of the “Star Wars” franchise, will be shot entirely in California and will be the biggest tax credit recipient.
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Other non-independent tax-credit recipients include an as-yet untitled Disney live action project and another untitled film plus two Amazon MGM Studios projects, “The Accountant 2” and “Mercy.”
Janice Arrington, who heads the Orange County Film Commission, said the positive impacts of on-site film productions are substantial.
“The footprint can be large in terms of needs,” she said. “It creates business for suppliers, hotels, restaurants, car rentals and other businesses like dry cleaning. The location sites are paid and local people can also work as background actors.”
Jeffrey Ball, president and CEO of the Orange County Business Council, wants the state to go further with its tax credits.
“We would like to see an expansion of this program and other measures which support business to help promote the economic health of our region while providing a net increase in taxes which support the vital services we depend on,” Ball said in a statement.
The Film & Television Tax Credit Program is nearly a decade old. The $1.55 billion Version 3.0 program, which sunsets June 30, 2025, provides tax credits for production costs on projects produced in California.
Film production slated for Southern California include “Lurker” in San Bernardino County and two untitled movies. An untitled Disney live action film will be filmed in Orange County. “California Convergence,” an independent film, will be filmed in San Diego County.
Scores of big-budget movies have been filmed in Orange County, including “Iron Man,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Catch Me if You Can,” “Rain Man” and “Jerry Maguire,” among others.
San Bernardino County has also played host to some big productions, including “The Parent Trap” and “American Sniper.”
Other movies aided by California’s latest round of tax credits are set to be filmed in San Francisco County, Alameda County and Marin County.
Academy Award nominated producer Charles Roven, who’s set to produce the sci-fi film “Mercy” starring Chris Pratt, said there are distinct advantages to filming locally.
“Almost everyone gets to go home to their own bed at the end of day,” he said.
Colleen Bell, the film commission’s executive director, said the broad array of film projects included in the latest round of incentives demonstrates California’s “enduring attraction for storytellers.”
“These productions, spanning big-budget features to indie films, not only infuse millions into our economy but also showcase our state’s talent and versatility,” Bell said.
