Trending Now - L.A. City Council Approves Measures to Enhance Film Production

WHO:

Los Angeles City Council

Councilmember Adrin Nazarian

Mayor Karen Bass

Joely Fisher, SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local President

Carlo Perez, business manager for Local 755 of the plasterers, sculptors and shop hands union

Thom Davis, president of the California IATSE Council

Suzanne Holley, DTLA Alliance president

Ysabel Jurado, Councilmember

Members of IATSE and other Hollywood workers and union representatives

WHAT:

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved seven measures to improve filming conditions in Los Angeles on March 2, 2026.

Measures include:

Speeding up soundstage certification

Requiring city departments to report compliance with Mayor Karen Bass’ 2025 executive order on filming

Launching an independent audit of L.A.’s permitting system

Introducing free “microshoots” for productions involving 10 or fewer people

Facilitating an agreement with L.A. counties and local cities to coordinate permit regulations

Presenting a “Made in L.A.” branding campaign idea to the Council

Unifying filming conditions across the city

Additional proposals introduced by Nazarian include:

Incentivizing local postproduction vendors

Establishing a fund to boost small and midsized productions

Creating production and postproduction retention programs

Amending the city’s contract with FilmLA for transparency and accountability

A pilot program to waive fees for small productions with 50 or fewer personnel

WHERE:

Los Angeles, California

WHEN:

Measures approved on March 2, 2026

Mayor Karen Bass’ executive order on filming issued in 2025

Local agencies have between 45 to 180 days to implement the directives passed on March 2, 2026

WHY:

The measures aim to revive local film and television production, which has significantly declined compared to five-year averages.

Industry workers emphasized the need for work and the importance of keeping Hollywood in Los Angeles.

HOW:

The City Council's actions followed public comments from local film and television workers and union leaders.

Nazarian stated that the council's job is to direct FilmLA, which is contracted to help productions navigate the city’s permitting process.

On March 2, 2026, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved seven measures aimed at improving filming conditions in the city, a move that follows significant declines in local film and television production. Among the measures are initiatives to speed up soundstage certification, launch an independent audit of the permitting system, and introduce free “microshoots” for smaller productions, all designed to support Hollywood workers and revitalize the industry. Councilmember Adrin Nazarian also proposed additional incentives for local vendors and a pilot program to waive fees for small productions, emphasizing the council's commitment to directing FilmLA in navigating the permitting process effectively.