The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion aimed at cutting red tape for film permits and exploring a $100 million innovation fund to revitalize the entertainment industry.
The motion, authored by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey P. Horvath, directs the Department of Economic Opportunity's LA County Film Office to work with key county departments to examine current permitting policies. The goal is to make filming in Los Angeles County more efficient, affordable and competitive with other production hubs including Georgia, New York and Texas.
"Our region is the heart of entertainment," said Barger, who chairs the board. "We're taking action today to cut through outdated bureaucracy, invest in innovation, and make sure Los Angeles County remains the number one place to film and create."
The motion also calls for exploring a public-private Evergreen Fund, an $80 million to $100 million investment strategy designed to support emerging technology startups in the film and television sector. County officials will work with the Center for Strategic Partnerships and the Department of Arts and Culture to assess the fund's structure, identify potential funding sources and evaluate workforce impacts.
"This motion models how local government can do its part to support the film industry," said Paul Audley, president of FilmLA, the county's official film office. "Today's vote was a vote to support an industry that needs every bit of help it can get and reaffirms its vital role in the economy."
The entertainment industry is still recovering from the pandemic and the dual Hollywood strikes of 2023. The board's approval sets in motion a series of reports and feasibility studies over the next 120 days designed to accelerate solutions that streamline processes, reduce costs and foster innovation while balancing the needs of local communities.
The departments involved include Regional Planning, Fire Department, Public Works, Beaches and Harbors, Parks and Recreation, and the Sheriff's Department.
Edited by SMDP Staff