FilmLA Reports Late-2025 Production Uptick Despite Overall Decline Across Greater Los Angeles

Film production activity across the Greater Los Angeles area declined overall in 2025, but the final months of the year delivered a modest boost, according to new data released by FilmLA.

FilmLA reported that on-location production activity increased by 5.6% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, totaling 4,625 shoot days from October through December. The organization credits California’s expanded Film and Television Tax Credit Program for helping drive late-year growth.

Despite the quarterly uptick, total on-location filming for all of 2025 reached 19,694 shoot days, down 16.1% from 2024’s total of 23,480 shoot days. FilmLA officials said the year-end decline, while disappointing, was anticipated as tax credit expansions approved in June 2025 continue to roll out.

Since the expansion, 119 projects statewide have been awarded incentives, with incentivized productions accounting for about 13% of all film and television shoot days in the fourth quarter. Many of the most recent incentive awards were issued in December, with productions expected to begin filming in early 2026.

Feature film shoot days declined nearly 20% year over year, though more than 17% of that activity came from incentivized projects, largely independent films. Television production also saw notable drops, with overall shoot days down nearly 22%. Television dramas experienced the steepest decline, while comedies showed a smaller decrease, supported in part by tax-incentivized projects.

Reality television and commercial production also trended downward, with commercial shoots falling more than 23%, a category that does not qualify for tax incentives. FilmLA noted that recent changes expanding incentive eligibility for certain television series and episode lengths are expected to positively impact production levels moving forward.

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