Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Aims to Revive Film Industry After Moviegoer Uptick

LA's film industry faces economic challenges, but leaders see positive momentum and opportunities for growth.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:28am

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An extreme close-up photograph of plush, glittering movie theater seats illuminated by dramatic studio lighting, capturing the luxurious textures and high-fashion aesthetic of the entertainment industry.The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce aims to revive the glitz and glamour of LA's film industry after a pandemic-era slump.Los Angeles Today

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is optimistic about the future of LA's film industry after seeing a 23% increase in moviegoers in the first three months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Chamber leaders and city officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, are working to cut production costs, offer more tax incentives, and make it easier to film in LA in order to revive Hollywood's status as the global center of the entertainment world.

Why it matters

The film industry is a crucial part of LA's economy, and the pandemic has taken a heavy toll. The recent uptick in moviegoers represents a potential turning point, giving industry leaders hope that they can rebuild and reclaim Hollywood's position as a premier destination for filmmaking.

The details

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Awards ceremony provided a celebratory backdrop as leaders discussed plans to boost the local film industry. Chamber Chair Jerry Neuman emphasized the need for the industry to evolve and change, while Senior Vice Chair London Kemp Boykin expressed excitement about the opportunities to revitalize production in LA. Mayor Karen Bass said the city will work to cut production costs and make it easier to film in LA, noting that "Hollywood is Hollywood" and the symbol for the entire world. Despite the economic downturn the industry has faced since the pandemic, MBS Group studio executive Jason Hariton sees positive momentum, with production activity increasing and more tax incentives being offered.

  • In the first three months of 2026, there was a 23% increase in moviegoers compared to the same period in 2025.
  • The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Awards ceremony took place recently.

The players

Jerry Neuman

Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

London Kemp Boykin

Senior Vice Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Karen Bass

Mayor of Los Angeles.

Jason Hariton

Studio executive at MBS Group, the world's largest studio operator.

Kobi Danan

Owner of Framework, a film industry business.

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What they’re saying

“Tonight is really an opportunity to express the movement of Hollywood.”

— Jerry Neuman, Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

“I get really excited for Amazon, MGM Studios and people back in the back office, going to the movie. Also, it tells you what the opportunity is to revitalize production right here at home.”

— London Kemp Boykin, Senior Vice Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

“We are going to do everything we can to roll out the red carpet for Hollywood.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles

“The silver lining is that we see positive momentum. We see production activity increasing, more tax incentives given out.”

— Jason Hariton, Studio executive at MBS Group

“We did make mistakes over the years and we did do a course correction.”

— Kobi Danan, Owner of Framework

What’s next

Mayor Karen Bass said the city will work to cut production costs and make it easier to film in LA, which could lead to further announcements and policy changes in the coming months to support the local film industry.

The takeaway

The recent uptick in moviegoers has given the Hollywood film industry a much-needed boost, and local leaders are seizing the opportunity to revitalize production and cement LA's status as the global center of entertainment. By offering incentives, reducing costs, and making it easier to film in the city, they hope to build on this momentum and help the industry recover from the economic challenges of the pandemic.