City Council backs program to support short-form ‘micro’ productions

The Los Angeles City Council voted Jan. 28 to advance a proposal to create city incentives and permit assistance for short-form “micro” productions, supporters said, as part of an effort to keep local content creators and related jobs in the city.

Councilmember Bloomingfield introduced the proposal, arguing the segment of the entertainment market focused on short episodic and vertical video ‘‘is a market of 15,000,000,000 dollars’’ and that incentives, permit assistance and a small grants program would help retain production that is shifting to other states and countries. Bloomingfield said the program would include expedited permits, small-producer subsidies and education pathways for emerging creators.

Supporters in the public-comment period, including Sherey Ben, a worker in the film industry, urged the council to ensure the program is funded and staffed so it can reach new entrants and workers who lack formal training. “Now that it has passed, now we have to secure the resources necessary so we can succeed,” Ben said in support of the motion.

The motion as recorded passed with a 14–0 tally. The council did not adopt final program details in the same vote; staff were directed to prepare an analysis of potential incentive structures, estimated costs, and permit changes for later committee review.

What’s next: Staff analysis and a potential ordinance or program plan will return to a committee for detailed consideration, including recommended funding levels and an eligibility framework for the proposed grants and permit priorities.