The story
On May 19, 2026, TheWrap reported that U.S. film and TV production has stabilized in the first quarter of 2026 after several hard years of decline. That matters because this is not just studio math. It is crew work. It is locations. It is gear rentals. It is editors, drivers, grips, art teams, and small production companies trying to keep the lights on.
The biggest signal came from Los Angeles. FilmLA reported 5,121 on-location shoot days in Q1 2026. That is up 10.7% from Q4 2025, though still down 3.3% from Q1 2025. So no, the industry is not suddenly booming. But the bleeding may be slowing.
The feature film bump is real
The most encouraging number is in features. FilmLA said feature film shoot days hit 687 in Q1 2026, up 52.3% from Q1 2025. That is a big move. It also said independent films made up most of that feature activity.
For filmmakers like us, that is the line to watch. Big studio tentpoles grab headlines, but indie features keep crews sharp. They keep rental houses moving. They give young directors, DPs, producers, and editors a way onto real sets.
Tax credits are pulling weight
California’s expanded film and TV tax credit program is already showing up in the numbers. TheWrap noted that California more than doubled its annual cap from $330 million to $750 million in July 2025. Since then, 147 productions have been approved for state incentives.
FilmLA also reported that incentivized projects made up nearly 7% of all Greater Los Angeles shoot days in Q1 2026. In features, incentivized projects made up 21.8% of shoot days. That tells us the incentive fight is not background noise. It is shaping where work happens.
But TV is still hurting
Here is the part we cannot ignore. TV production in Los Angeles is still down. FilmLA said overall television posted 1,196 shoot days in Q1 2026, down 28.4% from Q1 2025. Reality TV took the hardest hit, falling 52.2% year over year.
So the headline is not, Hollywood is back. The better read is this: features are moving, incentives are helping, but the TV engine is still sputtering.
What this means for us
If we are making films right now, we should read this as a green light to stay nimble. Smaller features are showing signs of life. Local crews still matter. Regional incentives still matter. A smart budget matters more than ever.
We should also be honest with clients and partners. The market is not fixed. But it is shifting. Productions are looking harder at where they shoot, how fast they can move, and how much value they can get from a lean crew that knows how to solve problems.
That is good news for the filmmakers who can prep tight, shoot clean, and keep the story first.
The takeaway
The work is not flooding back overnight. But after a rough stretch, the camera is starting to roll again in places that badly needed it. For us, the move is simple: build smarter, crew smarter, and be ready when the next call comes in.