July 3, 2025
Statement from Brenda Victoria Castillo, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition on the passage of California Assembly Bill 1138
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) applauds the lawmakers who championed California Assembly Bill 1138. More than a financial incentive, AB 1138 is a lifeline to keep one of California’s oldest industries rooted in the state and to safeguard the progress we’ve fought for in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Recently, California legislators took additional steps to more than double the annual funding for the state’s film and television tax credit program, raising the cap from $330 million to $750 million to support the expansion of the entertainment industry and provide relief amid ongoing challenges. Between 2022 and 2024, the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans, which covers production crew members, reported a loss of 35 million work hours, equivalent to 17,000 jobs. The entertainment guilds have reported a 40% drop in production. Most recently, a FilmLA report revealed that soundstage occupancy, historically around 90%, has fallen to just 63%, the lowest level ever recorded.
Following years of productions leaving the state, combined with an industry shutdown from the pandemic and labor strikes, the livelihoods of many creatives, especially those from diverse backgrounds, have been at risk. Creatives and storytellers from underrepresented backgrounds are often the first to be excluded when budgets tighten or work disappears.
When projects leave California, they don’t just take jobs. They take opportunities, resources, and the chance for our communities to see themselves represented both on screen and behind the camera. These jobs support union workers, drive the economy, and benefit both large and small businesses across the state. By increasing the amount of tax credits available to film and television producers, AB 1138 helps revitalize an industry where diverse talent is not only included but also prioritized.
As the bill makes its way to the governor’s desk, NHMC urges Governor Newsom to sign AB 1138 into law and commit to fostering an entertainment sector that reflects the brilliance and breadth of California’s people. Diversity and opportunity are not just values, they are the future of storytelling. This legislation is one pivotal step toward protecting that future and creating space for it to thrive.
Yours in the Movement,
Brenda Victoria Castillo
President & CEO
National Hispanic Media Coalition
