CULVER CITY, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ — As part of the Culver City’s continuing commitment to the film industry, this week the Culver City City Council approved a comprehensive set of measures designed to support recovery for film and television and enhance Culver City’s competitiveness as a premier filming destination. These actions aim to attract productions that will create local employment opportunities and support small businesses that benefit from on-location filming.
Over the last 100 years, Culver City has been at the center of the entertainment industry. From historic studios and backlots to current cutting-edge technologies, Culver City fosters an innovative and creative environment that supports both large and small-scale filming in the center of Southern California.
“As a 30-year film professional, I think it’s critical we find ways to reignite film production efforts in Culver City,” said Mayor Dan O’Brien. “I’m proud to see our City Council come together to support a far-reaching piece of our economy that affects every part of our community. These steps should boost production and I’m excited to see the results.”
At its meeting on Monday, the City Council approved the following actions:
- Temporary incentives for film permit fees to attract production activity in Culver City;
- A $500,000 cap on total incentives for a 12-month period to ensure fiscal responsibility;
- Free production parking, as available, at Veterans Memorial Park, the Culver City Senior Center, and Downtown parking structures;
- Development of a film location familiarization tour in partnership with FilmLA to highlight iconic Culver City filming locations and assets;
- Creation of a film-specific business directory to connect productions with local vendors and service providers;
- Launch of a public awareness campaign showcasing Culver City’s film-friendly incentives and programs;
- Adoption of a resolution extending the suspension of business tax collection for itinerant motion picture and television producers for an additional 10 years; and
- Direction to the City Manager to implement supportive program elements and report results following the pilot period.
The approved measures include rolling back film permit and staffing fees to December 2024 levels (which have been the same since 2008) for a one-year pilot program. The goal is to stabilize production while creating a path for gradual fee adjustments after the pilot period. Additionally, the suspension of business tax collection for itinerant motion picture and television producers, originally enacted in 2011 and extended in 2016, will now continue through 2036.
As a whole, the incentives are designed to attract new productions, retain existing filming partners, support student and small-scale projects, and sustain critical creative-sector jobs.
Following industry-wide work stoppages and shifting production models in recent years, filming volumes across Los Angeles have decreased. Recent FilmLA data shows a 13% drop in on-location production in Los Angeles County, impacting thousands of workers and the region’s creative economy. In response, the State of California expanded its Film & Television Tax Credit Program in 2025, increasing statewide incentives to $750 million annually through 2030.
Culver City’s program underscores the value of film production to Culver City’s economy and complements these regional efforts to encourage local filmmaking activity and support the entertainment industry at large.
These changes will take effect December 1, 2025. Visit our Filming in Culver City webpage to learn more about these efforts.
Learn more: https://www.culvercity.gov/Services/Business-Resources/Filming-in-Culver-City
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This version of news first appeared on CaliforniaNewswire.com based on a news announcement provided by Culver City.
