Hollywood studios, unions and bipartisan lawmakers launched a campaign Tuesday, Sept. 15, for a 20% federal film and TV tax credit. A new study released alongside the effort projects the incentive would add $125 billion in U.S. production spending by 2035.

The study, conducted by consulting firm Olsberg SPI and commissioned by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), estimates the credit would support 143,500 full-time-equivalent jobs annually and generate $249 billion in total economic activity over nine years, the Los Angeles Times reported. The findings were released at the formal launch of the U.S. Film & TV Production Coalition.

Los Angeles County has lost more than 40,000 entertainment jobs since 2022, according to Spectrum News California. FilmLA reported a 12% year-over-year drop in shoot days during the second quarter of 2026. The 4,711 days logged stood 36% below the five-year average, according to TheWrap.

"Thousands upon thousands of our people are out of work — out of the work they love — and are struggling to find ways to put food on the table for their families," actor Jon Voight said at a virtual news conference Tuesday announcing the coalition.

Voight, one of President Trump's designated Hollywood ambassadors, helped secure Trump's public backing for the credit in late August. Voight and advisers Steven Paul and Scott Karol met with Trump at the White House and shared early data from the MPA-commissioned study, Politico reported.

The coalition includes the MPA, Directors Guild of America (DGA), SAG-AFTRA, Writers Guild of America West and East, and IATSE. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Producers Guild of America (PGA), the Television Academy and more than a dozen other industry groups also joined, according to Deadline.

Bipartisan legislation could be introduced in the House Ways and Means Committee by the end of September, according to TheWrap. California Reps. Laura Friedman of Burbank, Judy Chu and Linda Sanchez are expected to lead the Democratic side. Georgia Rep. Brian Jack and Texas Rep. Nathaniel Moran are running point for Republicans.

The proposed credit would apply to productions spending at least $1 million in qualifying expenditures. It could be layered on top of existing state incentives. California already allocates $750 million annually in state film tax credits, a cap raised from $330 million starting in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Without a federal incentive, the U.S. share of TV production could fall to 29% by 2035, the study projects. Film's share could drop to 25%. With the credit, the U.S. share could climb to 65%. Sen. Adam Schiff said last year that 45% of U.S. films and scripted TV shows were shot internationally, up from about 33% in 2022.

Not everyone in Congress is on board. Rep. Rich McCormick, a Georgia Republican, told Politico he was "really not a big fan of federal subsidies because, once again, we're in 30% deficit spending right now."

MPA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin said the industry wants to move quickly. Proponents hope to get the bill through Congress and signed by Trump before the end of 2026, with the post-midterm lame-duck session seen as a likely window.

The LA City Council also acted on Sept. 10, launching an Ad Hoc Committee on Film, Entertainment and Creative Industry. Councilmember Adrin Nazarian chairs the panel, which is tasked with addressing permitting fees and red tape driving productions out of the city.