Nithya Raman Pitches Dedicated Office To Boost Hollywood

India-West News Desk

LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman on April 21 rolled out a plan aimed at reversing the steady decline of film and television production in the city, framing the issue as an urgent economic challenge rather than a routine industry concern.

Raman cast the loss of production as a consequence of local policy choices. She argued that filmmakers are not leaving Los Angeles by preference, but because the city has become increasingly difficult to work in. In her view, competing regions have moved aggressively to attract projects, while Los Angeles has failed to keep pace.

She described the entertainment sector as a foundational part of California’s economy, pointing to its multibillion dollar impact and its historic role in supporting a large workforce. Raman emphasized that tens of thousands of jobs have disappeared in recent years, attributing that decline to what she characterized as a lack of urgency in protecting the industry.

Her proposal centers on restructuring how the city supports production. Raman called for a dedicated film office within the mayor’s administration, arguing that the industry needs a clear point of coordination at the highest level of city government. She also highlighted the need for faster and more predictable permitting, saying delays and uncertainty have driven productions elsewhere.

Another key element of her plan focuses on cost. Raman said independent filmmakers in particular are burdened by fees that make Los Angeles less competitive, and she proposed adjusting those costs to better reflect the realities of smaller productions. She also pointed to broader regulatory hurdles, advocating for fewer restrictions and a streamlined process for on location shoots.

At the state level, Raman urged expanding financial incentives, specifically calling for the removal of limits on California’s film and television tax credit program. She argued that without stronger incentives, the state risks losing even more production to other regions offering more aggressive support.

Her announcement comes amid a measurable downturn in the industry. Film and television employment statewide has dropped sharply from its recent peak, while on location filming in Los Angeles has also declined significantly, according to industry data.

The timing of Raman’s plan coincided with a separate initiative launched by Mayor Karen Bass in partnership with FilmLA, which aims to lower permit fees and simplify the process for smaller productions.

Bass’ campaign responded critically to Raman’s proposal, questioning her record on the issue. Raman has recused herself from several City Council votes related to streamlining film production rules, citing a potential conflict of interest because her husband works in the industry.