FilmLA Research has issued a report on regional filming activity in 2025 as well as for Q4 of that year (October-December). And while there was improvement during that three-month period as compared to the previous quarter, it wasn’t enough to save the bottom line for 2025.

On-location production activity for the Q4 of ‘25 totaled 4,625 shoot days (SD), a 5.6 percent increase from the prior quarter (July-September, at 4,380 SD). Overall, 2025 finished with an annual total of 19,694 SD, a number 16.1 percent below the 2024 total (at 23,480 SD).

“While the year-end numbers are disappointing, they are not unexpected,” said FilmLA VP of integrated communications Philip Sokoloski. “FilmLA has consistently projected that the full effect of the expanded Film and Television Tax Credit Program would take time to materialize, and although our overall numbers remain low, there are dozens of incentivized projects that have yet to begin filming. We were pleased to see that a majority of the incentivized project shoot days in the feature film category were for independent films, and we look forward to continuing to support productions of all sizes as they kick off early in the New Year.”

Since the expanded California Film & TV Tax Credit Program went into effect last July, 119 projects have been awarded incentives. The most recent allocation round, held in early December, awarded credits to 28 film projects, many of which will be made in Greater Los Angeles. All approved productions have 180 days to start production after receiving their incentive award. Incentivized projects accounted for approximately 13 percent of all Film and TV shoot days in Q4.

“FilmLA is grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with independent... Read More