The region offers an immense talent pool and countless dramatic landscapes for your next film or television project
The American West is the cradle of modern Hollywood, with the talent pool and entertainment infrastructure of Los Angeles unmatched anywhere in North America. However, it’s also home to breathtaking natural environments that range from arid deserts to lush forests. All four states in this region offer generous incentives and benefits to attract projects, and they are each home to distinct combinations of urban hubs and vast outdoor vistas. The phenomenal coastline of Oregon lends a rugged natural seascape, while the bustling streets of downtown LA provide numerous filming opportunities for a myriad of scenes. Whether you’re filming a period piece or a science-fiction story, this region is brimming with possibilities.
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California Filming Incentives
The Golden State can attribute its domination in the entertainment and film industry to its wide array of amenities and services. The state boasts over 800 miles of dramatic coastline views down scenic Highway 1. The diverse climate allows for a multitude of filming locations, from the expansive deserts and grasslands of Southern California to the temperate forests of Northern California.
Incentive Type: Non-Transferable & Non-Refundable Tax Credit
Incentive Amount: 20% – 35%
Minimum Spend: $1M
Bonus: If productions meet specific criteria, the following bonuses are available: Out-of-Zone Bonus: 5% bump on expenditures and resident payroll; Local Hire Labor Bonus: 10% bump
Audit: Yes
Application: Applications must be submitted through the California Film Commission website during specific allocation periods (depending on project type) during the fiscal year.
Film Sales Tax Relief: Yes
Hotel Occupancy Tax Relief: Yes
Sunset Date: June 30, 2030
Nevada Film Production Incentives
A desert oasis of moral ambiguity, gambling, vice, and unadulterated entertainment has made Las Vegas and Nevada at large a distinguished cultural contributor to the entertainment industry. The Silver State provides some of the most contrasting backdrops for any production need and story genre. The Las Vegas Strip delivers glitz and visual stimulation in its most American form, while 30 miles away, the bleakest environments with otherworldly attributes can be found in lifeless deserts and dried lakebeds.
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Incentive Type: Fully Transferable Tax Credit
Incentive Amount: 15% – 25%
Minimum Spend: $500K
Bonus: If productions meet specific criteria, the following bonuses are available: Below-the-Line NV Resident Bonus: 5% bump; Rural County Location Bonus: 5% bump
Audit: Yes
Application: The application must include proof that the project is of economic interest to Nevada, project financing, a script synopsis, and other supporting documents, no earlier than 90 days before the start of principal photography.
Hotel Occupancy Tax Relief: Yes
Sunset Date: None
Oregon Filming Benefits
Oregon Film sets itself apart through its commitment to a more inclusive, diverse film and entertainment industry. The office champions initiatives in affirmative action and DEI, environmentally conscious content creation, and equitable hiring practices. Through the Oregon Production Investment Fund (OPIF) and the Greenlight Oregon Labor Rebate (GOLR), the Beaver State has created an attractive incentive program for film and television.
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Incentive Type: Grants / Rebates
Incentive Amount: 20% – 26.2%
Minimum Spend: $1M
Bonus: If productions meet specific criteria, the following bonuses are available: Greenlight Oregon Labor Rebate (GOLR) 6.2% rebate; Regional Oregon Production Investment Fund (OPIF) Rebate #1: $220 per day allocated to Portland-based projects traveling outside the Portland Metro Zone; OPIF Rebate #2: 10% bump with minimum of six production days being outside Portland
Audit: Yes
Application: Submit completed applications with a script, complete budget, production schedule, finance plan, proof of funding, and letter of intent before the start of production.
Hotel Occupancy Tax Relief: Yes
Sunset Date: December 31, 2029
Washington State Filming Incentives
Filmmakers have flocked to Washington for its notable locations that embody the rugged and rainy Pacific Northwest region. The Motion Picture Competitiveness Program (MPCP) in Washington is an initiative designed to attract film and video production to the state. It provides financial incentives, primarily in the form of tax credits or rebates, to production companies that choose to shoot their projects in the Evergreen State.
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Incentive Type: Grants / Rebates
Incentive Amount: 15% – 45%
Minimum Spend: $500K
Bonus: If productions meet specific criteria, the following bonuses are available: Episodic Series Bonus: max rebate of 35%
Audit: No
Application: Case-by-case. Productions must file a completed Production Survey with the Department of Commerce. Before starting principal photography, applicants must submit a completed Funding Assistance Application Form to Washington Filmworks and include all necessary documents.
Film Sales Tax Relief: Yes
Hotel Occupancy Tax Relief: Yes
Sunset Date: June 30, 2030
