Governor Gavin Newsom applauded the announcement of the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act, a bipartisan bill that would establish a 20% federal film and TV tax credit that can be stacked with state programs.
The bill was introduced in Congress by Senators Adam Schiff and Tim Scott and U.S. Representatives Nathaniel Moran and Linda Sanchez. It follows Newsom's May 2025 call for a federal credit to support the entertainment industry nationwide, as countries around the world roll out increasingly generous incentives and production leaves the U.S. for international territories.
"California is the entertainment capital of the world. We have the talent, infrastructure, and the creativity to support it — and we are making historic investments to keep production here," Newsom said. "But this is bigger than our state alone. I support this bipartisan effort to ensure that this industry can compete globally to protect the jobs, businesses and communities that depend on it."
Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission, said a federal incentive paired with California's investment "sends a powerful message that we are serious about keeping jobs, talent and storytelling here at home."
California expanded its own program in July 2025, raising the annual credit from $330 million to $750 million — a $3.75 billion investment over five years through 2030. The first year of Program 4.0 saw applications rise 82%, $7.2 billion in direct production spending to date, nearly 38,000 cast and crew jobs created, and film shoot days up 52% year over year.
In the TV category, 20 new series and six pilots received credits, compared with eight new series in the last year of Program 3.0. Awarded film projects include Heat 2, The Simpsons Movie 2, a Snoop Dogg biopic and an untitled Jumanji installment.
Last week, Newsom signed AB 2319, creating a tax credit for post-production work, and SB 186, which enhances refundability and provides exemptions for independent productions. Since 2009, the program has generated over $34.2 billion in economic activity and supported more than 243,000 cast and crew jobs.