California and national lawmakers say state film tax credits alone aren’t enough to keep productions competitive globally, signaling a need for a federal film incentive to safeguard American production jobs.

Senator Adam Schiff is pursuing a bipartisan push to create a competitive national incentive that would protect jobs for set designers, carpenters, lighting crews, and other production staff.

Supporters argue California’s success with incentives demonstrates a national approach is feasible and could align Hollywood with standard U.S. practice across industries.

California’s expanded film and TV tax credit program, approved by the governor, has spurred in-state production, generating billions in wages and thousands of jobs, though concerns linger about job shifts from mergers and offshoring.

In-state activity shows 16 productions taking advantage of tax incentives, totaling about $871 million in qualified spending and an expected $1.3 billion in economic impact, part of California’s broader claim of $29.1 billion in production wages and over 220,000 jobs supported.

Los Angeles film activity fell about 13% in the third quarter from the previous year, mirroring industry-wide challenges and pressures on local soundstages and employment.

The Pitt, filmed at Warner Bros. soundstages in Burbank, is cited as a beneficiary of California tax incentives, with cost reductions noted by producer Noah Wyle and plans for season three this summer.

Industry voices, including IATSE’s Matthew Loeb, stress that a globally competitive labor-based and tax incentive is essential to keeping production jobs in America.