As the 2025 Oscars approach, Hollywood is grappling with the challenge of retaining its dominance in the global film industry. While the Dolby Theatre hosts the best picture contenders, none were filmed in Los Angeles, the city that has been home to most major film companies for over a century. Movies like Wicked, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, were filmed in the UK, symbolizing the shift in production away from Hollywood.
For years, filmmakers have been opting for locations offering tax incentives, making it cheaper to film elsewhere. Crew members had hoped for a rebound in Los Angeles after the 2023 writer and actor strikes, but the recovery has been slow. The situation worsened in January when wildfires ravaged parts of Los Angeles, prompting concerns that producers would seek even further alternatives and that behind-the-scenes workers would leave rather than rebuild in their neighborhoods.
In response, advocates have launched the “Stay in LA” campaign, seeking to capitalize on public goodwill following the fires. A petition calls for politicians to lift the cap on filming tax incentives for three years to help with wildfire recovery. They also urge studios to increase production in Los Angeles by at least 10% over the next three years.
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed raising the state’s film and television tax credits to $750 million annually, up from the current $330 million. Filmmaker Sarah Adina Smith, a supporter of the campaign, also advocates for easier permitting, stating that Los Angeles should be a viable option for filmmakers once again.
While studios like Walt Disney and Netflix remain based in Los Angeles, the trend of filming outside the city is worrying. Production data shows that in 2024, Los Angeles saw its second-lowest level of film shoots, with a 5.6% drop from 2023. The city is now behind locations like Toronto, Britain, and Australia in terms of preferred filming destinations.
The future of Hollywood’s production may depend on whether studios and industry leaders commit to keeping projects in Los Angeles. As some Hollywood executives express optimism, there remains a sense of urgency for immediate action to preserve the city’s legacy as the heart of the film industry.
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