Culver City has approved a $500,000 incentive program aimed at boosting film and TV production in the area once known as the Heart of Screenland. Mayor Dan O’Brien, a former film editor, championed the package, which includes reduced permit fees and free parking for productions. The initiative seeks to attract new projects and support local jobs amid a decline in Los Angeles filming activity.
Approval and Key Measures
The Culver City Council voted on Nov. 10 to approve the comprehensive incentive package, capping total benefits at $500,000. Measures include temporary reductions in film permit fees, free production parking, a new film-specific business directory, and an extension of the suspension of business tax collection for itinerant motion picture and television producers through 2036. The city will also launch a public awareness campaign highlighting these incentives and partner with FilmLA for a film location familiarization tour.
Mayor's Perspective
“As a 30-year film professional, I think it’s critical we find ways to reignite film production efforts in Culver City,” O’Brien said. “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.” O’Brien has served as mayor since December 2022.
Industry Support and Context
Independent film director Dan Mirvish, a Culver City resident, praised the initiative: “The incentives announced by the City Council are a great start to reinvigorating filmmaking in Culver City. Robust film communities like Culver City can’t and shouldn’t wait for the State of California to save us from runaway production. We need to save ourselves, and these incentives are definitely a good start.”
Culver City holds historical significance as the former home of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Today, it hosts Sony Pictures Entertainment on the old MGM lot, along with media operations from Amazon, Apple, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The package aims to support student films, small-scale projects, and creative sector jobs while attracting larger productions.
Broader Challenges
The incentives come amid a sharp decline in filming in Los Angeles County, exacerbated by industry shifts, changing consumer tastes, business models, and January’s wildfires. California recently expanded its Film & Television Tax Credit Program to $750 million annually through 2030, but local efforts like Culver City’s are seen as essential complements.