Inside the Battle to Keep Hollywood in California
For the thousands of California film industry professionals navigating a landscape of empty soundstages and uncertain futures, a crucial piece of news has finally arrived. On June 24, after intense negotiations and vocal advocacy from some of Hollywood’s top creators, state lawmakers approved Governor Gavin Newsom’s landmark proposal to allocate $750 million annually to the Film & TV Tax Credit Program. This potential lifeline comes at a critical moment, with production down 22% year-on-year and the state facing a significant budget deficit.
While this legislative victory marks a potential turning point, the fight to reclaim California’s status as the world’s premier filmmaking destination is far from over. At the center of this battle is Colleen Bell, the Executive Director of the California Film Commission, a leader whose unique background has prepared her for a crisis defined by both economic realities and complex human challenges. In a recent conversation on the Finding the Frame podcast, Bell detailed the anatomy of the crisis and the multi-pronged strategy to bring Hollywood home.
This episode is proudly lit exclusively by Nanlux-Nanlite Lights and sponsored by B&H and Hollyland.
WATCH THE FULL EPISODE
A LEADER FORGED IN CRISIS
To understand Colleen Bell’s approach, one must look at a career forged in both Hollywood production and global diplomacy. Her journey began on the set of The Bold and the Beautiful, a show whose massive international success gave her an early lesson in the power of storytelling as a tool for social impact.
That foundation in communication and global affairs eventually led to her appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary under President Obama. It was a tenure that tested her leadership against the rise of hyper-nationalism and gave her a front-row seat to another nation’s successful efforts to build a thriving film economy. Consequently, this crisis management training proved invaluable when she took the helm of the Film Commission. However, this transpired shortly before the industry was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, that period also saw her “rethinking everything we do to ensure that Black lives matter.” This included questioning the role of armed police on set and championing diversity and anti-harassment initiatives within the state’s tax credit program. It’s a holistic view of leadership that addresses not just the financial health of the industry, but its social fabric as well.
THE ANATOMY OF RUNAWAY PRODUCTION
The current crisis, Bell explains, is the result of a perfect storm: the aftershocks of the pandemic, the 2023 labor strikes, and most importantly, the ever-increasing lucrative incentives offered by competing jurisdictions like New York, Georgia, and the U.K.
Executive Director of California Film Commission, Colleen Bell | Photo Credit by Yvan Nguyen
California’s current tax credit program, capped at $330 million, has been insufficient to meet demand, forcing the Commission to turn away qualified projects that then take their jobs and economic activity elsewhere. The recent award of $96 million in tax credits underscores this reality: of the 48 projects selected, 43 were independent films. While vital, this shows the current program struggles to attract the large-scale studio features and television series that provide long-term, stable employment for thousands.
THE $750 MILLION PLAN AND BEYOND
The newly approved $750 million annual allocation is the centerpiece of the state’s comeback strategy. Bell is quick to frame it not as a handout but as a proven investment. An economic impact study found that for every dollar in tax credits, the state generates $24.40 in economic activity.
Crucially, the funding boost is paired with a companion bill aimed at making the program more competitive. The legislation proposes increasing the available credit for a single project from 20% to 35% and gives the Commission leeway to add another 5% for productions in designated areas of economic opportunity. While the debate over “above-the-line” costs for major stars and directors is ongoing, these new changes take direct action. They seek to improve California’s effective tax rate and make the state a top contender for high-profile projects again.
THE FUTURE OF FILM IN THE GOLDEN STATE
Looking ahead, Bell’s vision is about future-proofing California’s entire creative ecosystem. This includes supporting a potential federal tax incentive that could be “stacked” on top of state-level programs, a move that would dramatically improve the nation’s overall competitiveness.
She also envisions building more production hubs across the state, ensuring communities beyond Los Angeles feel the industry’s economic benefits. Her ultimate goal is to protect California’s identity as the undisputed entertainment capital of the world—an identity that connects inextricably to tourism, technological innovation, and countless jobs.
When asked about the vacant soundstages and the migration of even competition shows to places like Dublin, Bell acknowledges the changing landscape. The answer, she insists, lies in adapting. By modernizing the tax credit program to potentially include these non-scripted shows and continuing to match productions with available infrastructure, California can reclaim its competitive edge.
THE BOTTOM LINE: A BATTLE FOR HOLLYWOOD
The approval of this robust funding package is a monumental victory for California’s film community. It was secured through the tireless advocacy of filmmakers like Patty Jenkins and Cord Jefferson and represents a firm commitment from Governor Newsom to defend the state’s signature industry.
However, for the thousands of professionals still waiting for the phone to ring, this victory is a starting line, not a finish line. The policies must still be officially signed into law, and their effects will not be felt overnight. The fight to rebuild requires not just legislative action, but a renewed commitment from studios to invest in the state’s unparalleled crews and infrastructure. Colleen Bell has secured a powerful new weapon in the battle against runaway production; now, the real work of bringing Hollywood home begins.
HEAR THE FULL STORY
The details of this fight and Colleen Bell’s incredible personal journey are nuanced and compelling. To hear the full, in-depth conversation—from her on-set stories to her experiences navigating global politics—listen to the complete episode on the Finding the Frame Podcast.
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