Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is fighting to keep Hollywood in Hollywood with a new executive order to streamline film production, following President Trump’s announcement of a 100% tariff on foreign-made films.
At a Glance
- Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to make filming in Los Angeles easier and more cost-effective
- The directive comes weeks after President Trump announced a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the U.S.
- Bass’s order reduces regulations, streamlines permitting, and improves access to iconic filming locations
- The initiative aims to counter the trend of productions leaving Los Angeles for cheaper locations
- A new Entertainment Industry Council has been established to keep production local
Bass Takes Action as Productions Flee Hollywood
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has issued an executive directive aimed at revitalizing the city’s entertainment industry and stemming the flow of film productions to other locations. The initiative comes at a critical time for Hollywood, as production companies increasingly choose to film in cheaper locations outside of Los Angeles, taking valuable jobs and economic activity with them. Bass’s directive specifically targets the regulatory barriers and costs that have pushed filmmakers away from the entertainment capital of the world.
JUST PUBLISHED: L.A. Mayor Follows in Trump's Tariff Footsteps – Make Hollywood American Again! PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to simplify filming processes in the city.👥 Who’s Involved: Mayor Karen Bass, President Donald…
— The National Pulse (@TheNatPulse) May 21, 2025
The mayor’s action follows President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the United States. Trump described the situation as a “national security threat,” pointing to foreign incentives that have drawn filmmakers away from American soil. This bipartisan recognition of the industry’s struggles highlights the economic importance of film production to both Los Angeles and the nation as a whole.
Streamlining Hollywood’s Red Tape
Bass’s executive order specifically instructs city departments to cut regulations and streamline processes for the film and television industry. The directive includes making city-owned locations more accessible, reducing on-site staff requirements, and improving communication between departments. Iconic venues such as the Griffith Observatory and the Central Public Library will become easier for production companies to utilize, showcasing Los Angeles’s unique appeal as a filming destination.
“The City is taking bold action to support our legacy industry,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “I’m focused on making it easier to shoot in L.A.”
The directive also establishes a new studio and sound stage concierge service to assist production companies in navigating city departments. This service aims to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles that have historically made filming in Los Angeles more difficult and expensive compared to other locations. By addressing these pain points, Bass hopes to make the city more competitive and retain the entertainment jobs that have long been central to the local economy.
National Response to Industry Challenges
The mayor’s executive order aligns with broader state efforts to support the entertainment industry. California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a $750 million annual tax credit to retain entertainment jobs in the state, which Mayor Bass has endorsed. These coordinated efforts reflect the recognition that the entertainment industry faces serious competitive challenges from both domestic and international alternatives offering cheaper production costs.
“Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated,” said Donald Trump.
Bass’s actions demonstrate a pragmatic approach to preserving Los Angeles’s status as the entertainment capital of the world. By combining regulatory relief with improved access to iconic locations, the mayor’s plan addresses both the practical and creative aspects of filmmaking. The establishment of an Entertainment Industry Council further underscores the administration’s commitment to ongoing dialogue with industry stakeholders to address challenges as they arise.
