In November, the City of Santa Monica opened its doors to The American Film Market (AFM), one of the independent film community’s most-anticipated events and the place where production and distribution deals are closed. At AFM, more than 8,000 film industry professionals –producers, directors, distributors, marketers, film commissioners and others gathered from across the world for eight days of screenings, seminars and deal-making.
On the scene for a third consecutive year, FilmL.A. used the opportunity to converse with filmmakers about the advantages of working in Greater Los Angeles, including services provided by FilmL.A. and access to a new state Film & Television Tax Credit Program administered by the California Film Commission. As a premiere sponsor at AFM, FilmL.A. secured indoor and outdoor signage, encouraging attendees to “unpack [their] bags,” because “California has a new $330m film tax credit!” At the FilmL.A. booth, filmmakers were also informed of the availability of free publicly-owned filming locations from the City of Los Angeles, as well as tax incentives for businesses that set up offices in L.A. City limits.
As expected, the talk of the booth was about the new and improved film and television tax credit approved by Governor Jerry Brown in September. Filmmakers were very interested in the changes and benefits the new system would afford them, and for our part we’re excited about what the new program will do for local film workers in Los Angeles and California.
The AFM returns to Santa Monica next November. If you have questions about filming in Los Angeles, please call us at 213.977.8600 and ask to speak with a member of our Production Planning Department.