*California has made a historic investment in its entertainment industry with a $750 million expansion of the Film & TV Tax Credit Program, and Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas is determined to ensure the benefits reach independent producers, diverse creatives, and historically excluded communities.
The program, run by the California Film Commission, is designed to keep productions in the state and strengthen Hollywood’s competitive edge against rivals like Georgia, New York, and overseas markets. The newly expanded initiative, known as Program 4.0, not only increases the total allocation of credits but also, for the first time, offers refundable credits to indy producers. The shift marks a major step toward creating a level playing field for smaller projects that often struggle to secure financing and visibility in an industry dominated by studio giants.
Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, who represents South Los Angeles, Mid-City, and Culver City, has been vocal about making sure this unprecedented state investment translates into jobs and opportunities for diverse talent and businesses. Drawing on her background as a labor rights advocate and co-founder of the Black Worker Center, she has pressed for oversight measures to guarantee accountability.
“Construction has long had community benefits agreements that guarantee access for underrepresented workers,” she said. “Hollywood is just starting to understand that accountability is part of public investment. We are laying the groundwork for similar standards in this industry.”
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The expansion has already attracted major projects. Nearly two dozen new television series were approved in the first round, representing more than $1.1 billion in economic activity and supporting thousands of jobs statewide, according to the Governor’s Office and the California Film Commission. While those numbers demonstrate momentum, Smallwood-Cuevas argues that inclusion must be the central metric of success.
“We want the dollars to reach those who’ve often been excluded,” she emphasized, pointing to Black entrepreneurs, crew members, and local vendors who sustain the industry but rarely share in its profits.
Beyond the film credit program, Smallwood-Cuevas has been spearheading another historic initiative: the creation of the Historic South Los Angeles Black Cultural District. At Leimert Park’s 15th Annual Day of Ancestors: Festival of Masks, she announced $2.5 million in seed funding from the 2025 state budget to establish the district, following the $3 million she previously secured in 2023 to begin building cultural markers and gateways. The district will spotlight Black-owned businesses, cultural institutions, and landmarks across Crenshaw, Historic West Adams, and Central Avenue, bringing visibility and tourism to the heart of South LA.
“We want the world to know that when they come to Los Angeles, they are coming to the cradle of Black culture and innovation,” Smallwood-Cuevas said to cheers from the community.
The Senator’s push for cultural preservation comes as Los Angeles prepares to host global events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games. She sees both the Film & TV Tax Credit and the Black Cultural District as twin strategies: one ensuring Hollywood remains economically vibrant and competitive, and the other guaranteeing that the contributions of Black Angelenos are celebrated, protected, and sustained.
“If we lift vulnerable communities, we lift everyone,” she explained. “California can keep Hollywood strong and at the same time preserve the cultural roots that make this state unique.”
With billions of dollars in production spending and tourism on the horizon, Smallwood-Cuevas is carving out a vision where equity, culture, and economic opportunity go hand in hand. For California, the $750M tax credit isn’t just about keeping cameras rolling — it’s about reshaping Hollywood to be more inclusive, accountable, and reflective of the communities it calls home.
From the column: Black in the Green Room By Keith L. Underwood – Follow: @mrkeithlunderwood (IG), @blackinthegreenroom (IG), YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook
Keith L. Underwood is a writer, producer, director, and former celebrity publicist whose work explores the intersection of Black culture and entertainment. He is the creator and host of Black in the Green Room, a syndicated column and radio series spotlighting Black creatives in television, film, theater, and music. The column runs weekly in the Los Angeles Sentinel, and the companion radio show airs on KBLA Talk 1580. The series can be seen on YouTube (@blackinthegreen) and heard across most major podcast platforms. You can also follow Keith on Instagram (@mrkeithlunderwood), TikTok and Facebook (@keithlunderwood).
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