DATE: September 17, 2018
 
California Tax Credit Program 2.0 
Upcoming Application Dates for Film and TV
FEATURE FILMS: Application Window for Tax Credits
 
1.    Non-Independent Films:   October 15 - 19, 2018   (CAL Date 11/19/18)     
  • Non-Transferable Tax Credit
  • Credit will apply to a maximum qualified spend of $100 million, with no budget cap.
2.  Independent Films:  October 15 - 19, 2018   (CAL Date 11/19/18)   
  • Transferable Tax Credit
  • Credit will apply to a maximum qualified spend of $10 million, with no budget cap.
  • "Independent film" means a film with a running time of at least seventy-five (75) minutes intended for commercial distribution to a motion picture theater, directly to the home video market, directly to television, or via the internet.  Must have a minimum budget of one million dollars ($1,000,000) and be produced by a company that is not publicly traded and a publicly traded company does not own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the producing company.
Online  Application portal will go live Monday, October 15, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. and will close on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 12 noon.   
 
Applications are ranked within categories - Indies vs. Indies, Non-Indies vs. other Non-Indies - based upon their  jobs ratio score. 
 
Projects that rank in the top 200% (double the number of projects for which funding is available) will be notified by October 22, 2018 to submit Phase II documents.  Credit Allocation Letters will be issued on November 19, 2018 -  budgets should reflect qualified expenditures on or after November 19, 2018.
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TV PROJECTS: Application Windows for Non-Transferable Tax Credits

1.  Relocating TV Series: October 29 - 31, 2018 (CAL Date 12/10/18) 
  • Online Application portal will open early for Relocating applications on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. and will close on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 12 noon.  
  • A pick-up order is not required at the time of application but is required the end of Phase II (November 16, 2018).
  • Relocating TV Series applications will also be accepted during the normal TV Projects application window starting November 5 but October dates are preferred.
2.  TV Projects: November 5 - 9, 2018   (CAL Date 12/10/18) 
  • Eligible types of television projects include New TV Series, TV Pilots, Movies of the Week, Mini-series, Recurring TV Series*.  
  • A pick-up order is required for eligible New TV Series, Pilots, and Relocating TV Series and must be submitted by the end of Phase II (November 16, 2018).
  • *Recurring TV Projects planning to apply during the November 2018 application window should notify the California Film Commission as soon as possible in order for the CFC to accurately estimated available tax credits for new projects; include estimated number of episodes and amount of tax credits requested. CALs will not be issued until receipt of a pick-up order. 
Applications are ranked within categories - TV Projects vs. other TV Projects, Relocating TV Series vs. other Relocating TV Series - based upon their jobs ratio score.

Projects that rank in the top 200% (double the number of projects for which funding is available) will be notified by November 14, 2018 to submit Phase II documents.  Credit Allocation Letters will be issued on December 10, 2018 -  budgets should reflect qualified expenditures on or after December 10, 2018.
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JOBS RATIO RANKING 

For historical purposes only, below are the lowest jobs ratios for program year 4 projects that were selected to proceed to Phase II of the application process.

Program Year 4 Lowest Jobs Ratio

TV Projects
Application Period 1
Relocating TV 
Application Period 1
Indie Features
Application Period 2
Non-Indie Features
Application Period 2
4.01337
3.23168
3.20659 3.39698

The jobs ratio numbers quoted above are based on applications received during the first round of applications periods for program year 4.  These numbers should not be relied upon as a guaranteed jobs ratio minimum in future application periods.  Applications are measured against their specific applicant pool and as such, each jobs ratio minimum is specific to those types of productions during a specific allocation period. 
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ONLINE APPLICATION

Applicants should begin to prepare their budget and materials early. You will need a completed and tagged budget in order to fill out the application.

A   Jobs Ratio Calculator  tool is available to assist you in preparing details for the application.
Applicants should prepare all materials listed in the  Checklist  as you will be required to submit these within three days if your application is selected.

Be sure to carefully read the  Budget, Tagging, & Tracking Tips f or your project type so that you can accurately tag your budget. Credit Allocation Letters will be issued on November 19, 2018 for Feature Films and on December 10, 2018 for TV Projects.  No costs qualify prior to that date.

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PROGRAM DETAILS AVAILABLE ONLINE

The informational documents listed below are available on the CFC website. It is strongly advised that applicants review each document prior to project budgeting and scheduling. 

 About the California Film Commission
  
The California Film Commission (CFC) enhances California's status as the leader in motion picture, television and commercial production.
  
A one-stop office for filmmakers, the Commission supports productions of all sizes and budgets. In addition to managing the Film & Television Tax Credit program, services include an extensive digital location library, free online permitting, low cost use of state properties as shooting locations, and production assistance.
  
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323.860.2960 │ 800.858.4749
  
(c) 2016 California Film Commission