Culver City Mayor Dan O’Brien was pleased to preside over the vote for the film industry support package passed by the Culver City Council on Nov. 10, 2025. As a film editor with a long list of credits, O’Brien knows that the industry is a primary piece of Culver City’s economic success.
The package of incentives approved by the council was defined as a “comprehensive set of measures designed to support recovery for film and television,” looking to attract business and boost the local economy.
“As a 30-year film professional, I think it’s critical we find ways to reignite film production efforts in Culver City,” said Mayor O’Brien. “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.”
The legislation includes a temporary incentive for film permit fees, free production parking, the creation of a film-specific business directory, and a resolution extending the suspension of business tax collection. The city has set a $500,000 cap on total incentives.
What else could get producers interested? The city is also launching a ‘public awareness campaign to showcase the incentives, and the development of a film location familiarization tour in partnership with FilmLA.’
From the city, “The approved measures include rolling back film permit sand staffing fees to December 2024 levels (which have been the same since 2008) for a one-year pilot program. The goal is to stabilize production while creating a path for gradual fee adjustments after the pilot period. Additionally, the suspension of business tax collection for itinerant motion picture and television producers, originally enacted in 2011 and extended in 2016, will now continue through 2036.”
Culver City is looking for the package of incentives to attract new productions and retain existing filming, also hoping these rules will support student films and small-scale projects, and provide essential support for creative-sector jobs.
Independent film director Dan Mirvish, who lives and works in Culver City, offered that “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.”
Shifting production models have dropped precipitously in recent years. Statistics from FilmLA show a 13% drop in on-location production in Los Angeles County, impacting thousands of workers and the region’s creative economy.
The State of California expanded its Film & Television Tax Credit Program in 2025, increasing statewide incentives to $750 million annually through 2030.
Judith Martin-Straw
Photo credit – City of Culver City, City Hall Courtyard
