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LA Film Shoots Rise: Tax Credits Stem Decline
28 Apr
Summary
- LA saw 5,121 shoot days in Q1 2026, a 10.7% increase from the previous quarter.
- California's expanded tax credit program is credited with a notable uptick in production.
- Reality TV production significantly declined by 52% year-over-year.
In the first quarter of 2026, Los Angeles recorded 5,121 on-location shooting days, marking a 10.7% increase compared to the last quarter of 2025. While this figure is still slightly below the previous year's first quarter, it signifies a turning point after years of declining production. Mayor Karen Bass highlighted collaborative efforts to make filming in Los Angeles more accessible and cost-effective.
The California Film and Television Tax Credit program, with its recently increased cap, has approved 147 projects, a 53% year-over-year rise. These incentives accounted for nearly 7% of all shoot days in Greater Los Angeles during Q1 2026. Feature films and television productions saw significant utilization of these credits.
Despite the positive trend, reality television production experienced a sharp decline, with shoot days falling by 52% year-over-year. This decrease is a primary factor in the overall year-over-year reduction in shoot days. Several major projects, including HBO's "Hacks" final season and the Searchlight feature "Behemoth!", filmed in Los Angeles.
FilmLA is also introducing a pilot program for "low impact" productions to streamline permitting for smaller projects. This initiative, alongside the state tax credit, aims to further bolster local production and job opportunities, ensuring Los Angeles remains a competitive global hub for filmmaking.
