A temporary film incentive implemented in May officially became a permanent part of the city’s pitch to production companies when the Culver City Council voted to approve the annual budget last week.
Already, new projects from Netflix and Amazon-owned MGM+ are focusing on the Los Angeles-adjacent city that sprang up around the legendary MGM estate and other studio properties. This led Culver City to adopt the motto that defined itself as the “Heart of Screenland.” Today, the city is home to companies in the entertainment industry, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amazon MGM Studios, and Apple’s entertainment operations.
“Culver City has long been a premier destination for film and television production, supporting good-paying jobs, local businesses, and a creative economy that helps define our community,” said Mayor Freddy Puza.
The nearly $400 million Culver City budgeted for local needs and long-term investments in 2026-27 covers a lot of ground. But the city has continued to prioritize production and getting businesses back to familiar locations.
This incentive package, which saves thousands of dollars in production costs on even short shoots, has been expanded over time. It began last December as a temporary exemption on some fees and permits, and expanded in May to more generous financial exemptions for production companies booking locations.
The package includes free production parking, the suspension of business tax collection, the development of film location tours in partnership with FilmLA, and the creation of a film-specific business directory.
On June 9, Netflix was preparing to film a television episode at the American Legion Post 46 on Sepulveda Boulevard, the midcentury building that served as a nightclub stand-in for Clint Eastwood’s 2014 Warner Bros. production Jersey Boys. The familiar white truck and orange traffic cones were a sight that raised eyebrows from passersby, and at least one pedestrian applauded.
Culver City is also filming a TV series for MGM+ Studios titled “Start of Watch Block 4” and an industrial shoot titled “Drone.”
Puza stressed that this was intended as an incentive. “Continuing our film incentive programs will help us remain competitive, maintain economic returns, and strengthen our legacy as a place where creativity and innovation thrive,” he said.
