Movie Magic

Join Film Fatales for an online workshop about Understanding Film and Television Tax Credits with Fanshen Cox (DEIA Manager) and Leah Medrado (Deputy Director) from the California Film Commission.

Interested in learning who the CA Film Commission is, what they do, and how they can help fund your next film? Join this discussion where we dispel myths about getting California tax credits. This interactive session will break down the application process with the goal of increasing representation for the projects that apply. The goal of the webinar is to help demystify the tax credit application process and to provide an introduction to the California Film Commission, its services, and its helpful representatives. With plenty of time for audience questions and personalized feedback, come away with the knowledge you need as you prepare for your next feature film.

Accessibility Notes: This online webinar will be accessible with self descriptions, auto captions, and ASL upon request. The recording will be available for an additional 48 hours after the live event ends. Please contact [email protected] with any questions. See you soon!

The California Film Commission administers the Film & Television Tax Credit Program 3.0 which provides tax credits based on qualified expenditures for eligible productions that are produced in California. The $1.55 billion program runs for 5 years, with a sunset date of June 30, 2025. Each fiscal year – July 1 to June 30 – the $330-million funding is categorized in: TV Projects, Relocating TV, Indie Features, and Non-Indie Features.

Award-winning playwright, actor, producer, and educator, Fanshen Cox is the DEIA Manager for the California Film Commission’s Tax Credit Program. She is also the Founder of TruJuLo Productions. Fanshen served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cape Verde, West Africa, and holds a BA in Spanish & Education, an MA in TESOL, and an MFA in TV, Film & Theatre. She has been honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards from CSULA and from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an honorary MFA in producing from New York Film Academy. Fanshen is also a co-author of the Inclusion Rider which was announced at the 2018 Oscar awards by Frances McDormand and the co-creator, producer and host of the Webby nominated podcast Sista Brunch. She is a highly sought after speaker on narrative for impact, and on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging.

Leah Medrano was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom as the Deputy Director at the California Film Commission. In this role, Leah combines her extensive production office experience with 20+ years of expertise in government relations. She is responsible for overseeing the state’s Film and TV Tax Credit Program and Soundstage Filming Program, ensuring these initiatives support the state's thriving film and television industry. Her strategic vision and leadership have significantly contributed to retaining film and television productions in California, along with creation of thousands of creative jobs in the Golden State. Before her tenure at the California Film Commission, Leah had a distinguished blended career in government and entertainment; Leah worked at Fox Television Station, MTV Networks, Fox Sports, and the Los Angeles news group CBS2 and KCAL9. She also held positions with the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of State Hospitals. Leah is a member of Women in Film, Film Independent, and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. As a passionate advocate for arts, media, and entertainment, Leah also devotes her time to teaching dance classes at a local studio for more than a decade. Leah is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach; she holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a master’s degree in Education, Emphasis on the Social and Cultural Analysis in Education.

The is your one-stop resource for film, TV, and commercial production across the Golden State. California is home to the entertainment industry … and for good reason. We have the best weather (315 days of sunshine), wildly diverse locations (from 840 miles of coastline to vast desert sand dunes), highly skilled crews and the best production infrastructure.

is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to improving the careers of filmmakers of all marginalized genders through advocacy, community building, and artist development services.

Film Fatales organizes panel discussions, educational workshops and networking mixers focused on amplifying marginalized voices in film and television. Capacity is limited. The session will be recorded for those unable to participate in the live program. Your participation constitutes your consent to being recorded and photographed during the event and to Film Fatales sharing those recordings and photos with the world. Please if you require an accessible accommodation.

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