San Francisco Expands Film Rebates to Attract Productions

The city increases its Scene in San Francisco program to refund up to $1M in fees and offer 10-20% rebates on local spending.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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San Francisco has overhauled its Scene in San Francisco film rebate program, increasing the maximum rebate on city fees to $1 million and adding new rebates of 10% on the first $1 million of local spending and 20% on any additional eligible spending. City leaders hope the expanded incentives will attract more film productions to shoot in San Francisco and keep more local filmmakers working in the city.

Why it matters

San Francisco has long been a popular filming location, but the city has faced challenges in recent years keeping productions from going elsewhere due to competition from statewide tax credits and other incentives. The expanded rebate program is an effort to make San Francisco a more attractive and affordable option for filmmakers, which could lead to more local economic activity and jobs for the city's film industry.

The details

Under the revised Scene in San Francisco program, productions can now receive a 100% rebate on city permits, police services, and other fees, up to a $1 million cap. The program also adds new tiered rebates for qualified local spending, offering 10% on the first $1 million and 20% on any eligible spending above that amount. Previously, the program had a $600,000 limit on reimbursed city fees.

  • The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the updates to the Scene in San Francisco program on February 11, 2026.
  • Mayor Daniel Lurie signed the measure into law on February 12, 2026.

The players

Daniel Lurie

The mayor of San Francisco who signed the measure to expand the city's film rebate program.

Film SF

The city agency that oversees the Scene in San Francisco film rebate program and provides guidance to productions on the application process.

de Beth Araújo

A local film director who praised the updates to the incentive program, saying they will "open the door for even more SF filmmakers to create affordably and authentically."

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What they’re saying

“These updates to the incentive will open the door for even more SF filmmakers to create affordably and authentically.”

— de Beth Araújo, Film director (KQED)

What’s next

City officials say they plan to closely monitor hiring numbers and local spending as productions start taking advantage of the new, more generous rebate program.

The takeaway

San Francisco's expanded film incentives represent a concerted effort to keep the city competitive as a filming location and support its local filmmaking community. The increased rebates could translate to more production activity and economic benefits for the city, but officials will need to track the program's impact to ensure it achieves the desired results.