California To Adopt Diversity Rules For Film And TV Tax Incentive
California is adopting some new rules to its $330 million film and television tax incentive program. In order to properly reflect the demographics of its populace on screen, the state is intending to add diversity guidelines that productions must meet if they are to take advantage of the tax program.
Diversity in the film industry has been a topic of heavy discussion recently, with many feeling that minorities have not been receiving their fair share of representation on screen since Hollywood's inception. California, in particular, is a perfect example of hiring practices not reflecting the diverse demographics of its population.
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While the most recent census puts California's population at 40% Latino, 35% white, 16% Asian American, and 6.5% Black, the California Film Commission reported that the state's television and film workforce was 70% white, 17% Latino, 7% Black, and 4% Asian American. The CFC also noted that there was a great gender disparity in these workplaces, with 75% of the jobs being held by men, and 25% of the jobs being held by women. On August 17, Wednesday night, state legislators amended a bill, SB 485, to include provisions that require that productions receiving the credit must be “broadly reflective of California’s population, in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender.”
Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill, which will also extend the tax credit out to 2030. Newsom had previously signed a provision last year, which increased the tax credit to $420 million for the fiscal years ending in 2022 and 2023. Legislators hope that this program will make productions reflective of
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