California Film Commission receives 254 applications for tax credits

The California Film Commission said 254 projects had applied for the second round of the state’s newly expanded film and television tax credit.

Between July 13 and July 25, the Film Commission said it received 32 applications for studio films and 222 for independent features projects, underscoring the strong demand for film incentives intended to keep production in California.

“It’s pretty much what we anticipated,� said Amy Lemisch, executive director of the California Film Commission. “Since the beginning of this program there has been a great demand for credits from producers who really want to shoot here.�

Due to limited funds, however, only a fraction of the applicants will be selected. The $55.2-million round includes $48.3 million for studio feature films, and $6.9 million for independent projects. Under the program, a single large-budget feature could receive a credit for as much as $20 million.

The commission will select applications based on each project’s jobs ratio score, which provides a ranking according to wages paid to crew members and spending on vendors, among other criteria. Successful applicants will be announced by mid-August, the commission said.

The state Legislature last year agreed to triple annual funding for the state’s film tax credit program to $330 million and make large-budget features and other projects eligible for incentives.

The credits are allocated for various categories of production throughout the year. The new incentive program debuted in May, when 37 television projects applied for $82 million in funding. Nearly a dozen TV projects were selected, including four series that had been shooting in other states.

Twitter: @rverrier